‘With dad as head of state, we lost our privacy’

Weekly Trust: You’re related to three prominent Nigerians, namely your father who is a former head of state, your mother who is a respected judge and your husband who is gubernatorial candidate in Niger State. What does that feel like? Amina Abubakar Bello: To me they are my parents and my husband. I’m grateful to […]

Weekly Trust: You’re related to three prominent Nigerians, namely your father who is a former head of state, your mother who is a respected judge and your husband who is gubernatorial candidate in Niger State. What does that feel like?
Amina Abubakar Bello: To me they are my parents and my husband. I’m grateful to Almighty Allah for blessing me with them and I am proud of them. My dad and husband have very similar traits. They are both very passionate about things that are dear to their hearts and the society. The aspect of my dad being very passionate, caring and kind is what I saw in my husband that drew me closer to him. They are both down to earth, even if my husband is more so.  
WT: What was growing up like, with a famous parent?
Bello: I had a very happy childhood, quite average and normal in the sense that my family was like any other, with the exception that my father was an army officer.  The only difference was that we did stuff like going out with him to watch parades and things like that, which non-military families didn’t necessarily do. By the time rose to be a General, I was in my senior years in secondary school, so there wasn’t anything special about it.
It was actually when he became Head of State that things changed. We had some privacy as a family when he was just a General, in the sense that we were never in the public eye. But all that changed when he became Head of State. But we adjusted to that for the short while it happened and after that we went back to our private lives.
WT: Being a mother yourself are you going to nudge any of your children towards a career in the military, law or politics?
Bello: I believe a person should do what feels right for them like I feel with my chosen career. If any of my children show an interest in any career, I would encourage them to pursue it wholeheartedly. However I would guide them.
WT: What parenting methods of your father’s have you adapted into your family?
Bello: He was always affectionate towards us and every other person around. That is one parenting tip I have imbibed in my family and everywhere I go.
WT: In your estimation, whose personality did you inherit more and which of them has influenced your decisions more?
Bello: I think I have a bit of both. My father is outgoing while my mum is more reserved. I wouldn’t call myself outgoing but I’m also not reserved.  My father was the one who influenced my decision to become a doctor. However I would say that my mother has a strong influence in many of the decisions I make.
WT: Which of his sayings or counsel do you remember?
Bello: He always encourages us to be religious and truthful. He believed in standing for the truth no matter what, so he taught us that no matter what our judgement for truth and justice should never be misguided.
WT: What fun things do you miss doing with your dad?
Bello: We did a lot of fun things with my dad growing up. He used to take us with him to the officer’s mess in the evenings where we used to play while he plays squash. We used to play board games or cards and he used to take us on family outings from time to time, too. I think I miss playing those games the most because they were fun-filled with a lot of laugher. Also, because we had a lot of sore losers and bad winners amongst us.
WT: What trait of your father’s would you say you’ve inherited?
Bello: I get attached to things and my dad is like that. I’m like my mum in so many ways I can’t begin to name them, though. I would say I took a lot more from my mum.
WT: Have you ever felt pressure to live up to your father’s success?
Bello: There are always expectations from people but he taught us to be the best we can be and live simply and we try to adhere to that.
WT: What is his favourite meal?
Bello: He does not really have one because he changes his mind from time to time. But he loves his fruits, like mangoes, apples and bananas. Also, boiled corn and groundnuts. These I know he loves, but his favourite dish I cannot really say.
WT: Is there a misconception about your dad you would like to correct?
Bello: I’m really not aware of any, but I would like people to know that he is a very affectionate and caring man.