Found this interesting interview in gooo/feature/octogenarian/i-want-to-travel-abroad-before-i-die-80-year-old-trader/” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>Punch and just had to share!
Mrs Sarah Adeyinka in the interview excitedly disclosed how she met and married her husband after falling in love with him,
and how they rekindled their wedding vows on her 80th birthday recently.
See excerpts below:
When and where were you born?
I was born on August 30, 1934 in Ifo Local Government, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
How many siblings do you have?
I had two sisters and one brother, but they are all dead, I’m the only one alive.
How do you feel being the only surviving child of your parents?
I’m thankful to God because it is Him
that has kept me till today. I would have been long gone if not for His
mercies over my life. I am grateful to Him; I don’t take His love for
granted.
that has kept me till today. I would have been long gone if not for His
mercies over my life. I am grateful to Him; I don’t take His love for
granted.
Where did you have your education?
I attended Oke-Ila Primary School, Ifo
and I had my secondary education at Methodist Grammar School, Arigbajo. I
was an average student in school, but I always made sure that I passed
all the subjects. I hated the shame that came with failing a subject or
repeating a class.
and I had my secondary education at Methodist Grammar School, Arigbajo. I
was an average student in school, but I always made sure that I passed
all the subjects. I hated the shame that came with failing a subject or
repeating a class.
After secondary school, what did you do?
I couldn’t go to the university so I
ventured into trading just like my mother. I would travel from one state
to the other to buy food stuffs such as garri, yam flour, palm oil,
vegetable, pepper and so much more. Then I would bring them to Lagos to
sell. Back then, things were very cheap so we would buy in large
quantities. I continued in this business even after I got married. I
didn’t enjoy doing anything else other than trading.
ventured into trading just like my mother. I would travel from one state
to the other to buy food stuffs such as garri, yam flour, palm oil,
vegetable, pepper and so much more. Then I would bring them to Lagos to
sell. Back then, things were very cheap so we would buy in large
quantities. I continued in this business even after I got married. I
didn’t enjoy doing anything else other than trading.
When did you get married?
I got married at a young age. I was 20
years old when I got married. That should be around 1954 but I can’t
really remember the exact date. Back then, once one had found a
potential partner or spouse, there was no need wasting time. I didn’t
see myself as being too young to marry. I loved my husband and he loved
me too. There was no need pretending otherwise to ourselves.
years old when I got married. That should be around 1954 but I can’t
really remember the exact date. Back then, once one had found a
potential partner or spouse, there was no need wasting time. I didn’t
see myself as being too young to marry. I loved my husband and he loved
me too. There was no need pretending otherwise to ourselves.
How did you meet?
I met him through my brother; he was my
brother’s friend. The day he saw me he just liked me and he told my
brother that he wanted to marry me. He was based in Lagos while I was
based in Ogun State, but we used to visit ourselves regularly. If he
wasn’t coming over to see me, I was the one travelling to see him. We
courted for two years before getting married.
brother’s friend. The day he saw me he just liked me and he told my
brother that he wanted to marry me. He was based in Lagos while I was
based in Ogun State, but we used to visit ourselves regularly. If he
wasn’t coming over to see me, I was the one travelling to see him. We
courted for two years before getting married.
What qualities attracted him to you?
He was charming and good looking. I liked
his physique. So many men had approached me, seeking my hand in
marriage but I wasn’t attracted to them. My husband caught my attention
the first day I saw him. Till today, I love him; my love for him hasn’t
changed. I still remember our wedding day, it was a beautiful day; we
danced until we had no more strength left in us. We were so happy and I
can never forget that day.
his physique. So many men had approached me, seeking my hand in
marriage but I wasn’t attracted to them. My husband caught my attention
the first day I saw him. Till today, I love him; my love for him hasn’t
changed. I still remember our wedding day, it was a beautiful day; we
danced until we had no more strength left in us. We were so happy and I
can never forget that day.
What challenges have you faced in your marriage?
I have a sweet marriage and I still love
my husband till today. The only issue I have is his weakness for women.
He ended up marrying three more wives after me. When I realised that I
couldn’t handle his having other women in the house, I moved out to be
on my own. I’m someone that doesn’t like stress; I prefer staying on my
own so I can enjoy peace.
my husband till today. The only issue I have is his weakness for women.
He ended up marrying three more wives after me. When I realised that I
couldn’t handle his having other women in the house, I moved out to be
on my own. I’m someone that doesn’t like stress; I prefer staying on my
own so I can enjoy peace.
How many children do you have?
I have seven children. Some are based in Lagos and others in Ogun State. They are all doing well for themselves.
Are you still married to your husband?
Yes, we are still husband and wife but we
live separately. I live in my house here in Lagos while he lives in his
house in Sagamu, Ogun State with his younger wife. He came for my 80th
birthday. We rekindled our love for each other that day.
live separately. I live in my house here in Lagos while he lives in his
house in Sagamu, Ogun State with his younger wife. He came for my 80th
birthday. We rekindled our love for each other that day.
How do you mean when you said rekindled your love for each other?
I mean we re-read our marriage vows.
How was it like?
I was happy. We danced together just like the day we got married
How did you support your husband in raising your children?
I supported him with the money I made
from my business. It wasn’t easy but it was worth it. I’m happy that all
my children have a means of income and are doing well for themselves.
from my business. It wasn’t easy but it was worth it. I’m happy that all
my children have a means of income and are doing well for themselves.
What is your view on men marrying more than one wife?
It is not something every woman wishes
for; I accepted it as my fate. My father also had more than one wife, so
I see it as a weakness that is common among men.
for; I accepted it as my fate. My father also had more than one wife, so
I see it as a weakness that is common among men.
What is your advice to young couples?
Life is about patience, there is no
reason to rush into marriage. Young women should make sure they go into
marriage with their two eyes open. They should also pray very well and
listen to their parents’ advice.
reason to rush into marriage. Young women should make sure they go into
marriage with their two eyes open. They should also pray very well and
listen to their parents’ advice.
At 80, how do you keep yourself busy?
My children set up a shop for me where I
sell various food items. This keeps me busy. I don’t like sitting at
home from morning to night doing nothing and being idle; I’m used to
being busy.
sell various food items. This keeps me busy. I don’t like sitting at
home from morning to night doing nothing and being idle; I’m used to
being busy.
Do you exercise?
Yes, I exercise. I enjoy talking long
walks. That is the only type of exercise I enjoy and I’ve made it my
exercise routine. I take long walks every Tuesday.
walks. That is the only type of exercise I enjoy and I’ve made it my
exercise routine. I take long walks every Tuesday.
What is your favourite food?
I enjoy eating amala with ewedu and gbegiri. I also enjoy semolina and pounded yam.
What are your hobbies?
I like singing and dancing. Church is my favourite place to be because of the praise and worship songs. My favourite song is Oluwa se mi lore o,
(The lord has done me a great favour). When I’m singing and dancing,
I’m always full of joy. Life is too short to worry over issues one can’t
change.
(The lord has done me a great favour). When I’m singing and dancing,
I’m always full of joy. Life is too short to worry over issues one can’t
change.
What has kept you strong till date?
I love efo (vegetables) that is
well-prepared, I eat that regularly. I think that is what keeps me
strong. Vegetable is good for the body. Eating ewedu too nourishes the
body. I don’t joke with fruits, I eat one fruit daily.
well-prepared, I eat that regularly. I think that is what keeps me
strong. Vegetable is good for the body. Eating ewedu too nourishes the
body. I don’t joke with fruits, I eat one fruit daily.
How many more years do you hope to live?
I don’t have a particular number in mind;
all I pray for is to have a good life. I pray not to be a burden to my
children, I also pray against encountering any form of problem that
would stress me. I want to continue to live my life in peace until God
says it is time for me to come home.
all I pray for is to have a good life. I pray not to be a burden to my
children, I also pray against encountering any form of problem that
would stress me. I want to continue to live my life in peace until God
says it is time for me to come home.
Do you have friends?
I don’t have many friends, but my
neighbours in my compound are my friends. I once had a very close friend
whom I called my sister. We were friends since childhood. She was
nicknamed Kehinde while I was called Taye, we were that close. We did
everything together until the day she died in 2005. We were always
together. When she died, she left behind a void in my heart. I couldn’t
stand seeing her children all alone, I had to take them as my own. I
don’t think I can ever find a friend like her. Friends one makes today
can’t be compared to childhood friends. The friends I have today are
acquaintances; I keep them so I won’t be bored.
neighbours in my compound are my friends. I once had a very close friend
whom I called my sister. We were friends since childhood. She was
nicknamed Kehinde while I was called Taye, we were that close. We did
everything together until the day she died in 2005. We were always
together. When she died, she left behind a void in my heart. I couldn’t
stand seeing her children all alone, I had to take them as my own. I
don’t think I can ever find a friend like her. Friends one makes today
can’t be compared to childhood friends. The friends I have today are
acquaintances; I keep them so I won’t be bored.
Over time, you would have learnt so many lessons, what advice do you have for the younger generation?
The only advice I have to share is on
love. Love is very important, when you love your fellow brothers or
sisters, you won’t think evil against them. The Bible teaches us that we
should love our neighbour as ourselves. There are so many atrocities
being committed in the country because there is no love. If we all
decide to love one another, Nigeria would be a better place. It is high
time we had a change of heart and do what is right.
love. Love is very important, when you love your fellow brothers or
sisters, you won’t think evil against them. The Bible teaches us that we
should love our neighbour as ourselves. There are so many atrocities
being committed in the country because there is no love. If we all
decide to love one another, Nigeria would be a better place. It is high
time we had a change of heart and do what is right.
What do you always do before you sleep and when you wake up?
The only thing I know I do religiously is
to pray. I love praying. In this world we live in, one needs to pray.
When I’m about to sleep, I pray that God keeps my family safe throughout
the night, and that we should wake up strong and healthy. When I wake
up, I thank God for keeping me because so many people slept but didn’t
wake up. Here am I, alive, happy, and strong.
to pray. I love praying. In this world we live in, one needs to pray.
When I’m about to sleep, I pray that God keeps my family safe throughout
the night, and that we should wake up strong and healthy. When I wake
up, I thank God for keeping me because so many people slept but didn’t
wake up. Here am I, alive, happy, and strong.
Do you have any regrets in life?
I don’t have any regrets; there is
nothing to be sad for. I am happy, I have children who are doing well
and they are all married. I’m alive, there is nothing to regret.
nothing to be sad for. I am happy, I have children who are doing well
and they are all married. I’m alive, there is nothing to regret.
Are you fulfilled in life?
I am fulfilled; I have children and a
house of my own. Every morning when I wake, I thank God for all what He
has given me. There are people of my age who aren’t as strong and
healthy as I am.
house of my own. Every morning when I wake, I thank God for all what He
has given me. There are people of my age who aren’t as strong and
healthy as I am.
Which is your favourite programme on television?
I enjoy watching a morning show on Sundays.
What is your view on insecurity in Nigeria?
Boko Haram has caused a lot of havoc in
the country, aside that kidnap is becoming rampant. My prayer is that
Boko Haram will be wiped out. They have killed so many people, enough of
bloodshed. I also pray that the Ebola virus disease will be wiped off.
They are not bigger than God. I pray that He puts an end to the EVD in
Nigeria.
the country, aside that kidnap is becoming rampant. My prayer is that
Boko Haram will be wiped out. They have killed so many people, enough of
bloodshed. I also pray that the Ebola virus disease will be wiped off.
They are not bigger than God. I pray that He puts an end to the EVD in
Nigeria.
Do you attend parties?
No, not any more. I used to enjoy parties when my best friend was alive, but now, I don’t enjoy them anymore.
Come 2015, who will you want to be the President of Nigeria?
Nothing has changed in Nigeria, I pray
that God intervenes and puts the person He has chosen to become
president. There is no food, no job, and no money. Our children come out
of school with the hope of getting a job, but every time, their hopes
are dashed. There are no jobs for them. We are tired of this, we want
change in Nigeria. We want the person God has chosen to become
president; we are tired of all what is happening.
that God intervenes and puts the person He has chosen to become
president. There is no food, no job, and no money. Our children come out
of school with the hope of getting a job, but every time, their hopes
are dashed. There are no jobs for them. We are tired of this, we want
change in Nigeria. We want the person God has chosen to become
president; we are tired of all what is happening.
Do you still have dreams which you still want to realise?
Yes, I hope to travel abroad someday. I
don’t want to remain in Lagos all my life. I want to see what others are
enjoying. There is nothing in Nigeria, life is better abroad. Things
work better abroad, their roads are smooth, and electricity is stable. I
also wish to build my second house, I’ve started building it but I
don’t have the money to finish it. The house I’m living in now is
getting small for us. I wish to build a bigger house. These are my
dreams and I hope they come true soon.
don’t want to remain in Lagos all my life. I want to see what others are
enjoying. There is nothing in Nigeria, life is better abroad. Things
work better abroad, their roads are smooth, and electricity is stable. I
also wish to build my second house, I’ve started building it but I
don’t have the money to finish it. The house I’m living in now is
getting small for us. I wish to build a bigger house. These are my
dreams and I hope they come true soon.
You don’t use eye glasses; what is the secret to your good eyesight?
I like eating iru (locust beans). It’s the secret to my good sight. I use it to cook my food, sometimes, I eat it alone.