Women should spend more time decorating their brains than their bodies – Betty Abba
My educational background I have a first degree and a Master’s degree in Literature in English from the University of Calabar and the University of Lagos respectively. I have had several trainings on human rights-related and public health issues over the years. My career background As a journalist I practiced with a number of publications […]
My educational background
I have a first degree and a Master’s degree in Literature in English from the University of Calabar and the University of Lagos respectively. I have had several trainings on human rights-related and public health issues over the years.
My career background
As a journalist I practiced with a number of publications in Nigeria and the USA for half a decade, majorly Newswatch Magazine, TELL Magazine and the Rocky Mountain News in Denver, Colorado, USA (as a media fellowship reporter). I have five publications including two collections of poems (Sounds of Broken Chains, Go Tell Our King) and a biography (Mother of Multitudes).
I also worked for another half a decade with the Environmental Rights Action (ERA), Nigeria’s frontline environmental justice campaign organization. Much of the time at ERA, I led the women’s programme desks which saw me working with women in polluted and impoverished Niger Delta communities hosting crude oil pipelines. I also worked at a point on same campaign at the sub-regional level in a number of African countries.
My inspiration
CEE-HOPE was born out of the need to address issues concerning children in slums and impoverished communities, children who are victims of conflict, and who are at the very fringes of hopelessness. And not just talking about their issues but also engaging them, and exploring areas where they could be developed educationally and talent-wise so that they can turn out as assets and not liabilities to the society.
Our girl empowerment programme (Girls-Go-for-Greatness, aka ‘Triple G’) is tailored towards rehabilitating teenage mothers and other at-risk girls via a variety of program including scholarships, leadership and skills training.
We currently work in five states (Lagos, Ogun, Benue, Plateau and Bayelsa) and our work is with all children with no regards to religion or tribe.
For as long as I can remember, I have always worked with children, actually with other children (laughter). I started mobilizing other children in our neighborhood for a children’s Bible club back in Otukpo, and then I was made president of our Sunday School Children’s Club in our Methodist Church (Jericho Road section) and then I formed a girl’s mentoring and prayer club at age 17 or thereabout at Wesley High School, also in Otukpo.
My father has been a major inspiration in my life. As a young man, he trained as a community health personnel even with very little education and was instrumental in a way to curbing small pox epidemics in my hometown of Orokam.
What growing up was like
I grew up in a polygamous home, a home I would describe as ‘bursting at the rims with children’. My father married five wives and sired more than 30 of us. So, typically, you sleep with and wake up to a sea of humanity (laughter). I became used to communal living quite early. We would have our food, especially rice, served in big trays and then gather around it and feast on it. It was survival of the fittest! It was basically fun.
Challenges faced in life
Oh, like every other human being, I have had my own share of challenges, but then, I always choose not to dwell on them but to look for a way out or at worst, look for opportunities out of the challenges, make lemonades out of bitter lemons.
My life’s lessons
To continue doing good and not expecting the praise of men.That mindset keeps me going, especially because we are in a world where our most altruistic gestures could be grossly misconstrued.
My aspirations growing up
First, I wanted to be a nun, then a doctor but when at age 10 in primary school, I started writing, I just wanted to be a writer. Nothing else. I am glad I stuck by that dream against all odds.
Fond childhood memories I miss
Of course spending time with my maternal grandmother in my village. It was pure bliss! We would eat mangoes until our teeth turn sour or bees stung us by the trees, or we would wake up at dawn to pick Udura or local cherries, or helping her to sell her wares at the Eke or Aho market, helping to thresh palm oil out of palm fruits, going to farm with her or sitting with her under the moonlight to hear folk takes.Otukpo was fun as well but pales in comparison to the vacations with our late grandma.
My most cherished gift
The gift of life. To be alive in spite all odds is the most important things. Very importantly, having a clarity of purpose from a very young age, which saved me so many youthful pitfalls. It only could only have been God.
My wish list
To see a country where child protection and general welfare is taken seriously by all stakeholders.
To live in a Nigeria which will have the highest level of school enrolment in the world as against having the current highest number of out-of-school children.
To live to write my 100th book. I have five now, 95 to go. So help me God.
To have and raise children that will be proud of my work and they in turn would make me proud by their integrity and dedication to fostering the cause of humanity.
To commission an orphanage, a home for old people and a first-class girl rehabilitation home when I clock 50 in seven years’ time.
My favourite kind of music always
I love various genres. But you would most likely catch me playing the songs of Nigerian gospel artistes like Chris Morgan, Amik Adams, Solomon Lange, Frank Edward, Sinach, Gabriel Anyashi, Iyke Onka etc. I love Idoma gospel songs as well.
1st app I check in the morning/bedtime
Facebook, though it can be addictive. I have used it with Twitter as a major tool of advocacy.
My favourite fashion items
I am not a fashionista No doubt, as women, we are wired to look good and neat, and should be admired. I believe in looking presentable but not necessarily expensive or flashy.
Flats or heels
Flats for easy wears, but high heels for formal occasions.
My most expensive fashion accessory
I don’t have expensive fashion items.I love beads and incidentally, they are typically affordable.
What I wouldn’t I be caught wearing
‘Spagetti’ top outside of the house, or tight-fitting and see-through panties. It’s a no, no.
My best travel destination
Canada of course. To me, it’s the friendliest country on earth! I would certainly love to visit again!
How do you relax?
Basically, the only time I really rest is when I am outside the country, and I have more time to watch the TV, sleep and meditate.
My favourite saying
‘If God be for us, who can be against us?’
My favourite food
Plantain, either fried, roasted, boiled or even raw (laughter).
My definition of style
The style that defines person and not necessarily the fashion trends that fluctuate.
Favourite fashion designer
None. I make do with local designers most times. I just hit the road with whatever feels good or looks decent enough.
Mum’s advice that stuck with me over the years
‘Don’t take what isn’t yours’. My mother is a highly principled and enterprising woman, she inculcated in us the values of integrity and transparency quite early in life.
My favourite sport, colour and weather
I used to love soccer a lot but now I don’t have the time or interest any more. I am a blue person, any shade of blue. No shouting colours such as red or yellow, please! (laughter). As for weather, I am tropics born-and-bred.
Beauty routine
My day starts by applying my Olay facial scrub and then using mostly Olay product for the rest of the ‘cleansing’ rituals. At the risk of advertising, Olay products are good.
Role models
I have so many role models, either in my journalism career. It would be grossly unfair to pick one person out or leave out others. They are at least 50 people I look up to, almost 100% Nigerians, so I wouldn’t want to leave out anyone and incur their legitimate wrath (laughter).
Yet, I would say my greatest role model is Jesus Christ, our Perfect Example.
Looking back, what I would tell a younger me
‘Be focused. Realise your dreams against all odds. Tell your mother much more about your relationship(s), she is better experienced than you, even if not highly educated. Don’t cave into societal pressures and rush into relationship(s); it pays to wait. If you wait, beautiful things will happen to you.