Mum read the Bible to us before a spanking – Sarah Jibril’s daughter

Asibi Agbuio is daughter to Sarah Jibril, a former PDP presidential aspirant and Special Adviser on Ethics and Values to former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Here, Agbuio shares her memories growing up and more. Excerpts: Daily Trust: What was growing up like? Asibi Agbuio: Very interesting. My mum’s an amazing person and I can’t trade […]

Asibi Agbuio is daughter to Sarah Jibril, a former PDP presidential aspirant and Special Adviser on Ethics and Values to former president Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Here, Agbuio shares her memories growing up and more. Excerpts:
Daily Trust: What was growing up like?
Asibi Agbuio: Very interesting. My mum’s an amazing person and I can’t trade her for anything. She is a disciplinarian and made sure we were imbibed with the core values of life, that is by learning to give, treating other people well and respecting others. Those morals are part of the things that have guided us while growing up.
The Bible says, ‘don’t spare the rod’ and my mum certainly didn’t at any time. She made sure that when we did things wrongly, we were corrected and when we needed to get spanked, we got it. But at times when she needs to talk to you, she does that too.
I remember my mum would talk to you first and then read the Bible to you and then follow-up with the portion of the Bible that says ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’. Then she makes you understand that what you have done is wrong.
DT: What fun childhood memories did you have with your mum that you can’t forget?
Agbuio: At age six or seven, I remember when my mum comes back from a trip, I would go to her room very early in the morning, lie on her tummy and ask her different questions on what she was doing and other things. That period was a bonding time for us and is a good memory that I can’t forget.
There was a family she always picked when we went to church and no matter how tight the car is, she preferred everyone squeezed as long as that family can come into the car and we get to our destination.
Recently, someone was telling me of how a friend of his met my mum and that she helped him with a challenge even when she didn’t know him. There are so many other instances where people tell me how my mum has been kind to them. She’s the kindest person I know.
DT: How do you feel having a mother who is into politics?
Agbuio: At first I simply enjoyed it while growing up, but later as I grew older I realized it was more about who she is and what her vision is. My mum is a selfless person and that has taught us as individuals and as her children to be selfless by not carrying ourselves like we are better than others. 
DT: What misconception about her would you like to correct?
Agbuio: Some people say she is a hard person. Yes, she is hard because she stands for the truth, no matter what. A lot of people have a problem with that because many Nigerians are not straight-forward. She likes to be open and say the truth by trying to do the right thing. She likes everything done right and is a bit of a perfectionist. If things are not done right, she is not comfortable.
DT: What is her favourite meal?
Agbuio: She likes Tuwo with draw soup and likes to have her pap every morning.
DT: How does she relax?
Agbuio: You have to tell her when to relax and take it slow because she is a bit of a workaholic and always wants to be on the move. Sitting down idle is not one of her good points. So when we see that she is stressed, we tell her to slow down. Most times it’s when she gets out of the country that she relaxes.
DT: What is her favourite outfit?
Agbuio: She likes wearing comfortable dresses and flowing gowns.
DT: If your mum was not a politician, what other profession do you think would suit her?
Agbuio: Being in politics is part of her calling in life and I don’t see her doing any other thing than what she is doing presently. Politics can’t be taken from her because that is who she is. She is more of a people person. She is a psychologist.
DT: How did you feel when she got a single vote during the presidential primaries in the PDP?
Agbuio: I was a bit disappointed but I know she is a strong woman. All I wanted to know that period was how she was and it made me more comfortable immediately I spoke to her and knew she was strong, encouraged and not feeling down. I was fine and that helped me a lot. She didn’t see herself as a failure and that taught me that when you are looking for something and don’t get it, you should pick up from there and move forward.
DT: Do you still hang out with her and what do you miss that you did with her while growing up?
Agbuio: I still hang out with her. Like every child, I grew up and realized what I wanted from life. I am always very thankful that I can call my mum at any point in time and tell her what I want to do. Whenever I call her on issues like that, she encourages and prays for me. She always makes sure I am fine and is always looking out for me.
Sometimes when I tell her I want to do something, she can even take it further than I expect. She is always there when I need her for advice or need to talk to somebody or just want to be with her. She is accessible no matter what she is doing at the time. I have a great relationship with her and I won’t trade that for anything.