HARD WORK PAYS; AND IT IS ABOUT BRAINS AND GLAMOUR
circle of life that people should cherish and experience. I have three wonderful children: two girls and a boy.
How did you meet your husband?
I met this dashing young man at work. A week after he spoke to me, he said he wanted to take me out, and he proposed. He said to me, “You are going to be my wife, so why waste time? We courted for five years, with a lot of ups and downs. We were young. But I think the reason the relationship lasted was because we were friends before we became lovers. Your most cherished attribute of his He understands me and respects my work. He is my number one critique. We are still sailing through 30 years plus of marriage. He is my biggest support. My work takes me all over the world and he is just there for me. He’s my besto. Five top things on your wish list I want a situation where we’ll have a 50/50 inclusive gender balance in governance. I want a situation where children’s health in Nigeria will have prominence. I want to see quality infrastructure in Nigeria compared to other countries. I’d also love to see decorum in our society. The impunity we witness today is appalling. I want to see where the rich heritage and culture will come back. Favourite music on replay I love Reggae. I love Bob Marley the most, but anything Reggae will get me dancing. First app you check in the morning/bedtime WhatsApp, to stay connected. Favourite fashion items I’m very traditional. I love African prints and I wear a lot of it.
Flats or heels?
I used to be heels person before I got operated on my legs, so I do wedges now.
What wouldn’t you be caught wearing?
A bellero top. Favourite travel destination I’ve been everywhere; but in Nigeria, I love Obudu Cattle Ranch. It is really serene. The air is fresh, and in the morning it’s like you are in the clouds. I love it there.
How do you relax?
By reading. I love reading anything I can get my hands on. Favourite quote “Keep healthy.” It is important to always keep healthy. Favourite food I love rice in whatever form; although these days I’m trying to change and eat my rice with more vegetables. Definition of style Comfort. And sometimes we overdo it because of trends. But for me, what fits is more important. Favourite fashion designer My daughter, J29. Favourite perfume, shoes and bag Mix all sorts of perfumes. But these days, I do more of oil perfumes with notes of jasmine. I love Ferragamos for shoes because they have a lot of comfortable heels. For bag, I’m very Nigerian now, so I’m trying to embrace more made in Nigeria products. But I used to love Prada and Louis Vuitton a lot.
Mum’s advice that has stuck with you over the years
She always told me that “cleanliness is next to godliness.’’ And it has stuck with my children and me. She would say “angles only stay where there’s cleanliness. I feel like she’s saying it to me right now as I’m telling you. Favourite sport I used to walk but not anymore due to my legs and my day-to-day engagements. My favourite colour is green. I’m not a car person, but if I had a choice and I could afford it, I would go for a Mercedes. I love weather like Jos, where it is cool and temperate. Favoruite day of the week Saturday when I have no engagement and I can just sit at home, cook and do my experiments in the kitchen. Beauty routine Sometimes my daughters take me out for facials and massages at the spa. But it’s not like I do it religiously. Role models My mother. She was an exceptional human being; and my father as well. He was accommodating. But I am also grateful to a lot of Nigerians who inspired me along the way. And God because we don’t see him, yet we believe him. He is always there for us.
Looking back, what would you tell a younger you?
That hard work pays; and it is about brains and glamour. You need to plan your time if you aspire to rise. And you need to be certain. More than anything else, you need to prove the strength you have in you as a woman. If you roll all these into one beautiful dough, the sky is your limit.
The online news blog, Tatafonaija catered for 1000 children across Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja on Christmas day, providing them with delicious meals to mark the occasion. Belema Meshack-Hart, the founder of the blog, said he and his team had their Christmas made after seeing the smiles they had put on all the children’s faces.
He also mentioned that the project cost around N500,000, while only N80,000 was raised. “The project will become an annual activity; after all, the season is one for giving and sharing.”
The main beneficiaries of the project were the poorest in the cities,who did not have access to quality food and water.
He also encouraged other Nigerians to do the same in ensuring the country moves forward from where it is today.
The son of the Emir of Kano, Aminu Sanusi Lamido and his beau, Zainab Ali Bashir are getting married. The events kicked off on Wednesday, with the wedding Fatiha to hold on Saturday.
The news of the couple’s marriage broke earlier this month when the pre-wedding photos were shared on Instagram by the groom in which he captioned the photos saying, “Nothing like perfect wife or perfect marriage. All you can wish for is an understandable and respectful wife. And after years of trial and error I have finally met my gold. So ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce the new princess of Kano, Fulani Zainab Ali Bashir.” We wish them a happy married life!
Actor turned politician, Desmond Elliot, is celebrating his 15th year wedding anniversary with his wife Victoria. To mark the occasion, he posted a photo of them cuddled together and expressed how grateful he was for being successfully married over the past years saying, “15 years and waxing strong, Babamai, I could leave a long note to profess how much you mean to me, I could tell a story of how we met and started this journey,it will all come down to these 3 words;
I love you. Thank you for the peace. Thank you for caring. Thank you for making our house a home.”