‘Simple, pious life is key to success’

Background I am Dr Maimuna Yaroson, an indigene of Zaria, I have ten siblings, eight girls and two boys but the boys are late now. So we are eight I am the eldest. I did my primary school in Saint Michaels Primary School Kaduna, then I went to Queen Elizabeth Secondary School Ilorin, I came […]

Background

I am Dr Maimuna Yaroson, an indigene of Zaria, I have ten siblings, eight girls and two boys but the boys are late now. So we are eight I am the eldest. I did my primary school in Saint Michaels Primary School Kaduna, then I went to Queen Elizabeth Secondary School Ilorin, I came briefly to College of Agriculture and then I left for the United States of America where I went to the University of Newham shire where I had my first degree in Home Economics, after several years I went back and had my master in Home Economics. Much later I went to ABU Zaria where I had another degree in Guidance and Counselling. I am a retired teacher. I have worked at various places but I was the former provost of Federal College of Education Zaria.

Childhood memories

I had a pleasant childhood memories, I was able to interact with several people. I will say I am the child of the people because when I begin to mention them on a list I don’t think it will contain it. I had mingled with different people of different religion, ethnicity and background. During the colonial days, I was fortunate to go to school and I was able to interact with the white people.

Aspirations as a child

As a child, I truly wanted to go to school. It’s something I feel I should. During my days, I found out that most youth are saying they want to get married but I just feel that I should just go to school so that I can come back and impart what I have learnt to other people.

Definition of success

People define the word ‘success’ differently. But to me, I define success as being able to achieve the ultimate of your heart desire.

Who had the greatest impact on me

As a child, I would say it’s my father and also my mum.

Balancing work and home

It was tedious; in fact in our own days when you are newly married and pregnant, you have to leave work. So I left work when I was pregnant with my first child. Later, I went back but you know the task of both career and family is a great job if you want to do a successful thing. You have to try as much as you can to do the best you can and leave everything to God.

Meeting my husband

We met during the course of our career after my former husband’s death. And he has been very supportive.

Greatest gift from my husband

The greatest gift is the support and the moral courage to do things to go on. When I say “NO” I will not he has to encourage me.

How I describe him

He is religious, sympathetic and a kind person.

Husband’s favorite meal

Pounded yam and any vegetable soup

Spending family time

I spent a lot of time reading because I love reading.

Favourite author

I can’t tell my favourite author because, as I grow older now, I read a lot of books about religion. Books that people said you retired but you are not tired. I still teach courses on Management, Personality, Autobiography and Biography of people.

My style

I don’t do fashion but during my days in Lagos, I do go to the Saloon to do my manicure and pedicure and then go into Sauna just to refresh myself.

Keeping fit

Really and truly I just walk around, right now I am saddled with arthritis on my feet so I walk just round the house to do a lot of things that’s all.

Favourite holiday spot

I have travelled far and wide but there is no where that has pleased me so much like Nigeria.

My leisure time

I love cooking. I virtually cook my meal and that of my spouse.

Favourite fashion accessory

It uses to be gold but I love simple costumes and I love rings.

Most treasured possession

Well it’s the fear of God.

Role model

When I was in secondary school, there was a female who I admired and wanted to read more and be like her. She is one of my teachers Safi Attah. In fact she is the first female graduate in Northern Nigeria. Despite the fact that she is educated, she is such a humble and nice person. She is a fantastic woman. Even when I got married, I met her. She was so influential in my life

Living person I would love to meet

I would love to meet Nelson Mandela’s wife Winnie Mandela. When I meet her I will tell her that despite all odds I still appreciate her contribution to womanhood. Another person is Patience Goodluck Jonathan because there are few women who fight for the cause of women and if you could see on these few years that her husband has come on board there have been so many women whom have come to the limelight, whom otherwise would not have. And that’s a great contribution where the girl child is being shown an example of where she could reach to the apex. When I meet her, I would tell her that I appreciate her efforts and contribution towards the uplift of women in Nigeria.

Greatest lesson learnt

I have learnt that this life you keep on going. There is no limit to what you can do. No matter how old you can still contribute your quota to the nation building.

Highest point as a mother

I am so grateful to the Almighty that He has blessed me with children and grandchildren. This is not what you buy but it is by the grace of Almighty Allah. It was an exciting thing when I first had my first child because for a living thing to come out of you it is fantastic I am so happy.

Legacy

I would like to be remembered as a teacher, a mother and also one that never lose hope in anything because God is wonderful and will do everything for you.

Advice to unmarried women

Marriage is a great treasure; it is something very nice. I believe that when you are married, you have excess satisfaction, comfort, companionship and perhaps your religion might be perfected. At least, that will keep you away from other things and you will have somebody who will genuinely tell you the truth. If you are married to somebody, he will genuinely tell you the truth even though it is bitter.

Bringing up a child

The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. If you want to bring up your child, you have to show the child the right thing to do. If you inculcate the fear of God in them when they are young they will not go out of the way when they are older. I believe that if people tell you that your child is doing wrong, you should watch and advise the child. Don’t spare the child and say “oh my child cannot do this” because we all know that children and us have different faces and personalities in life to our peer group, home and school. We should encourage them and talk to them, your children should be your friends. In fact I keep on telling my daughter that if anything should happen to her, she should let me know because she is my friend and I should be the first person to know. I remember my father once said that “today if I die, I die a happy man because I am happy with my children and my daughters”. So share your feelings. I believe if you educate a woman you educate a nation. So if we are able to do that, this world would be a better place. Teach your children without being flamboyant as simple pious life is the key to success.