Amina Kolo: Bridging societal gaps
Hajiya Amina Kolo is daughter to the late Alhaji Haruna Baba Kolo’s family. She is from Niger State and grew up with nine siblings of which two are no more. The mother of two in her words grew up in a very calm and happy environment. She has a 24-year-old who is a graduate and […]
Hajiya Amina Kolo is daughter to the late Alhaji Haruna Baba Kolo’s family. She is from Niger State and grew up with nine siblings of which two are no more. The mother of two in her words grew up in a very calm and happy environment. She has a 24-year-old who is a graduate and a 20-year-old daughter too. Her story is quite inspiring.
Educational background
I attended primary school at Our Lady of Fatima Private School in Jos and finished in 1978. I then went to the Federal Government College, Jos, and subsequently to Narakuta Secondary School, also in Jos, where I finished secondary school in 1984. I then went to Usmanu Dan Fodio University and started off with Business Management before switching to English Language. While at the university, I was part of the Students Union Government (SUG). I was vice president at a time and after that I was the whole female hostels chairlady. So I happened to have friends in all aspects: everybody was my friend.
I graduated with a degree in English language1990. I was more on the heady side because I didn’t take nonsense back then. I had several courses and after that I started working with Afribank Plc.
Career background
I did my NYSC in Port Harcourt with Afribank. That’s where it started. It was a very enlightening time, getting to meet people of different languages, backgrounds and orientation. It was a really nice time, unlike the experience youth corps members of nowadays complain of.
Immediately after the completion of my NYSC, I continued working with Afribank. I worked with them till 2000. It was hectic because then I had children that were in their formative years and it entailed doing school runs and running other home errands too. But we made it work.
After Afribank, which I left willingly to take care of my children, I managed my father’s bakery because then he had retired. My family and I then relocated from Jos to Abuja. I then found myself working at the National Orientation Agency (NOA), which was an entirely different ball game because it was not like the banking sector. Right now I have reached the position of the Chief Programme Officer. It entails a lot of sensitization. The country as a whole needs that. It entails going to rural areas and telling the people what government policies are. This involves meeting with royal elders, chiefs and the like, so that they call the people and tell them these are people they should listen to.
As for Harteez Global Concepts, it is my baby actually, and it is more of a passion of mine that entails talking to young ladies and gentlemen that are about to go into marriage, with the high divorce rate everywhere, especially in the North. My intent is to work with the government and work with royal fathers. I plan on going to meet other royal fathers to discuss this issue and reduce this massive divorce rate. Doing this, both parties will know what they’re supposed to do and their rights also. There are certain things as northern mothers that we don’t discuss with our daughters; especially where it comes to sex. We see it as a taboo and such leads to things like sodomy.
Growing up
I grew up in Jos. My grandfather was the first ‘DubaGari’ in Jos and my parents were all born in Jos. My uncles were ambassadors and my father was one of the big time permanent secretaries and then he was the Chairman of the Federal Mortgage Bank for eight years. My dad was a very cheerful person. There was a lot of travelling out.
Aside from that, our house was filled with big rocks so we played with those a lot. Apart from that I did a lot of reading.
Challenges
Challenges always come. They’re part of life. In fact if you don’t come across challenges then you’re not living. I’ve had some, health wise, work wise, marriage wise, with siblings; losing two, with friends, but I have always come out much stronger.
Life lessons
So far so good, life is too short so make the best of what you can. Be happy, have good friends, enjoy yourself, enjoy your health and your children as they mature from kids to teenagers to adults.
Most rewarding part of my career
I have actually had so many rewards. I’ve learnt patience, tolerance and how to relate with people.
Aspirations growing up
You’ll be ticked if I tell you what I wanted to be when I was growing up. I actually wanted to be singer because I had such a nice voice then and my father used to say, “ah my singing canary!”
Fond childhood memories
My father, my mother, my siblings that passed on and my home place, Jos. I miss being there: the weather, the fruits and so many other things about Plateau State.
My typical day
I wake up in the morning, pray, take a nap and then when I get up I head out to work. Since my kids are all grown and are all doing their own things, I then take care of home runs afterwards. I then watch TV, I love watching Universal Channel, and then I stay up late to gist with my kids.
My most cherished gift(s)
My children: I cherish them so much and life wouldn’t be life without them. They’re solidly by me and we have always stuck together.
Top five on my wish list
I want to be a minister. I would have said president but I don’t think Nigeria is close to being ready for a female president. I wouldn’t mind being a senator either, even though I’m not into party politics. I would love a big fat contract, but with age, I’ve slowed down a bit, so I wouldn’t mind going to a nice place like Monaco or Mauritius on a yearly basis and I would love to go for Umrah yearly.
Favourite music on replay
I love all genres of music except reggae. I have a 20-year-old daughter, so I listen to what she listens to and if you challenge me, I can do the dance steps too (laughs).
First app in the morning/bedtime
WhatsApp: in the morning and at night too.
Favourite fashion item(s)
I love perfumes and my lipsticks.
Flats of heels?
Flats
Most expensive fashion accessory
I just go for anything that I like or that fits me. I don’t regard the price tag but I do love silver.
What I wouldn’t be caught wearing
A mini skirt
Favourite travel destination
I love Dubai: Mostly because my kids are schooling there, so I go there often. The buildings there are awesome. I can’t fathom how they put them together. You leave and come back after two weeks to find something new.
How I relax
With my friends, driving out and going for weddings to dance and watch others dance too.
Favourite quote
Life is too short.
Favourite food
I hate rice. I love potatoes, boiled, though when I really need to cut down on my weight, but mostly fries. I love Lebanese and Chinese food too.
Definition of style
Wear what you’re comfy in.
Favourite designer perfume, shoes and bag
Perfume is Esteè Lauder, bag and shoes; I don’t really have any.
Mum’s advice that has stuck over the years
I really didn’t know my mum. She died when I was about six or seven, so my dad has always been that figure for me. But I can use my father’s advice in place. “All this that you see, I worked hard for it. You have to work hard for yours.”
Favourite sport, colour and weather
I don’t mind taking walks. My colour is purple and I love the type of weather in Plateau State: cool and calm.
Favourite day of the week
I love Fridays because it is the end of the week!
Beauty routine
Nothing much: I use my powder, lipstick and eyeliner. I don’t go into creams and all that. I just use Vaseline.
Role model(s)
Myself, because I know I have been through a lot in my life. Despite the downs I have always got back up much stronger.
What I would tell a younger me
That would be my daughter. So I would say a younger Amina should enjoy life more, travel more, select a few loyal friends that will always be by my side and be loyal to them too. Be hard working, be a truly spiritual person and love your creator more than anything.