By Eunice Naffie Mustapha
Powerful women have lived, powerful women live and powerful women arise daily!
Sierra Leone is made up of exceptional personalities. We have people living here that are beating all odds to be the change they want to see. Countless stories to inspire; let the journey begin!
Meet Onike (Nicky) Spencer-Coker
She is a Lawyer, an Emcee & a Presenter!
Nicky Spencer-Coker is the Head of Advocacy and Movement Building at Purposeful and a Presenter (Saturday Breakfast Show) at Capital Radio, Sierra Leone. She is also the Secretary-General of the General Legal Council of Sierra Leone and an amazing mom with two lovely girls (16 & 18).
Her Start
To every inspiring story, there is that triggering start that sets things in motion!
Born in Sierra Leone, Nicky Spencer-Coker grew up in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Nigeria and the United Kingdom. She started school at British Independent Preparatory School in Liberia and later attended Saint Joseph’s Secondary School in Sierra Leone. She then moved on to attend Ackworth School in the United Kingdom.
After leaving Ackworth School, Nicky undertook another journey. It was time to explore what the United States of America was made of. She first studied at Miami University in Ohio and later became a Juris Doctor of David A. Clarke School of Law, University of the District of Columbia (Washington, DC).
After exploring in the USA, it was time to come home and Salone is home! In 2012, she was called to the utter Bar of Sierra Leone and became a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of Sierra Leone.
What is interesting about the start of our lady’s journey is how she shares history with outstanding women. Whilst in Ohio, she joined the all mighty Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority and guess who’s also a member of the sorority? Our dearest Kamala Harris, Vice President of the United States of America! Yes, Nicky Spencer-Coker and the VP are sorority sisters. During her days at Saint Joseph’s Secondary School, even though her seniors then, she did go to school with powerful Sierra Leonean women like Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyer, Justice Glenna Thompson, Ms. Miatta French etc.
Her Light
Your light is your power!
She knows who she is, what she loves and flys knowing it all. Our lady has a glorious work experience under her belt. She served as the Senior Defense Counsel at the Legal Aid Board of Sierra Leone for over 5 years, and a State Counsel at Law Officers’ Department, Ministry of Justice of Sierra Leone for over 3 years. Nicky Spencer-Coker also served as the Vice President of Legal Access For Women Yearning For Equality Rights and Social Justice (L.A.W.Y.E.R.S) from 2018-2021. As an outstanding Power Woman of Power Women 232, she has served in the capacity of Public Relations Officer, Vice President and President of the said entity. The counting stops here, as her experiences are just so countless!
What Makes Nicky Nicky!
To become a formidable force in society, your personality has to be distinct. There’s that you in you that makes you you!
A lady that loves Entertainment
“I’d love to be an Oprah Winfrey type of show host.”- Nicky Spencer-Coker
From her days at Saint Joseph Secondary School, when she was part of the mighty ‘Generations’ dance group, where she earned the stage name ‘Nicky,’ to her serving as Emcee at various events, to her finding a balance between law and showbiz, this lady has never let go of her love for entertainment. Secs around her, you’d figure out how exciting she is; so full of humour. Entertaining people comes naturally!
A Voice
“First time in college was the best time in my life.”-Nicky Spencer-Coker
From being actively involved in Black Student Governments in Ohio to her journey through various institutions, Nicky has consistently been a voice, speaking up on social vices. She has fought for social justice. She has fought for gender equality. She is still fighting to create the change she wants to see. To her, speaking up is a daily lifestyle. Interesting!
She Grows Through Experiences
“I fought with depression, I wanted to die, but I couldn’t, as there were a lot of people depending on me.”-Nicky Spencer-Coker
Life has not always been perfect; she has gone through experiences that would have broken her. When she and her estranged husband noticed there was no longer sparkle in their marriage, they decided to let go instead of holding on to an idea of a marriage. But she still ensures her daughters get all the love they deserve. Every hurdle in her life has been embraced, whilst identifying the lesson to be learnt. She glows no matter what!
She Brushes Off Attacks
“At 50, I am finally becoming who I like. I am not trying to be likeable.”-Nicky Spencer-Coker
As an outgoing person, one would think the world will be nice to her. This has not been the case. Every bit of her has been attacked, including her accent. In life sometimes people just find a way to try to put you down in order to make themselves feel better. With time, her skin has become tough. She knows how amazing she is and she has no intentions of convincing anyone to see her light. She is confident!
She Chooses Service
“Build your life as an individual, build your personality.”- Nicky Spencer-Coker
Nicky Spencer-Coker had her first experience with service at Ackworth School, a Quaker school, part of the Christian Society of Friends schools. Since then she has consistently rendered service wherever she finds herself. Her dedication to service has helped shape her path in life, making her contribute to different social changes.
Hard Work is Her Mantra
“Whatever you’re going to be, be the best of it.”-Nicky Spencer-Coker
People always see the glam and not the process. Balancing three jobs to make things work, she believes in hard work. As much as she loves her ‘me’ time, she has to earn her way through life. Castles are not built in a day. At 50, she still finds time to earn her way. People should embrace the culture of working hard to deserve things instead of automatically feeling entitled to them.
Her Message to Young Sierra Leoneans
“Young people should understand they’re not everyone’s cup of tea. When you’re different, people try to make you feel uncomfortable. It took me 10 years to get to a place of feeling comfortable with being myself in Sierra Leone. It doesn’t mean everything is good. But you can choose not to wallow in the negative feelings of others that can kill you.”-Nicky Spencer-Coker
It will interest you to know that she has served on Sierra Leone’s Premier League Board since 2019. She was the only female on the board for over a year, but thankfully in 2020 another female joined her. Nicky always says, ‘Women hold up half the sky.’ As one of the 50 Most Influential Women of Sierra Leone, she has embraced every bit of her personality. She is powerful! She is exceptional! She is Nicky Spencer Coker!
About Writer
Eunice Naffie Mustapha is a creative writer and a storyteller. She is a published author (the author of Girlz Planete: Teenage Pregnancy). As the CEO of Nafisa Media Limited, she believes in using stories to inspire social change. At 23, she is a Sierra Leonean content writer renowned for submitting content to individuals and entities both locally and internationally.
About Entity
Nafisa Media Limited is a freelance writing agency, a branding entity and an online magazine (Nafisa Magazine) based in Sierra Leone. You can reach the team via nafisamedialimited@gmail.com or +23278872832 or +23274682036 or +23275172056.
Photo Credit: Moseray Koroma (Super Mos Photography)
