How long were you in the practice of public health? Almost 40 years

Why did you  specialise in  this area?
As a research assistant in family planning, I was going to two communities in Ibadan-Omi Adio and Lalupon. That was my first exposure to rural communities. In my school days we had it all beautiful up to the university level where we were served three course meals. We lived well. But in these communities, I saw children die like goats, there were no hospitals to take care of their medical needs. I spoke with a woman in the community, who was hostile and told me she had gone through 17 child births and only one of the children survived.  And looking at  the child, he had  charms all over his body, probably to stop him  from  dying as  their belief was. I told my husband I would like to work with children. The opportunity came  when the World Health Organisation (WHO)   offered me a fellowship as a social scientist. I travelled to Isreal and   had my Masters degree in Epidemiology from the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. I was invited to lecture and give talks  at the university and we  adopted  a  team work approach to assist in the area of child health.  In Israel, many children have cogenital abnormalities because many Jews married their cousins.  It’s discovered that in our society, many children are malnourished and lack vitamin supplement. Not many parents could  afford milk.  Nestle  then  was supportive and was  supplying milk. I carried out a research   and  wrote to the company to pack  milk in sachets  so as  to make it affordable for mothers especially. It’s advisable that mothers give their children from day one cod liver oil and Abidec drop. A child needs vitamin supplement to  age 5. All children’s vitamin food must be supplemented. The clamour has been for oil subsidy, but more important, children’s food, drugs and vitamin supplement must be subsidised. Malnourished children are as a result of broken homes, mentally disordered women and fathers who are not responsible for child keeping, among other things.

From  your experience how do  the lifestyles of people  affect their health?
We have communicable and non-communicable diseases. Some people still don’t believe waste water should be disposed of properly.  They rather  pour these on the main roads and ditches in their environment  thereby breeding mosquitoes. Ibadan is full of streams. When  we were young, there were trees planted along the streams and rivers which make the environment look beautiful. The trees draw from the  streams  for survival while  fish were caught in the  rivers. But these days, dirts are thrown in the streams while some even defecate in them. Looking at non-communicable diseases, nutrition diet is faulty. Our body structure is just like a car. As oil  is to a car, so is  blood and water to human beings. The family structure  tells on the nutrition  of the children.  We have instances where the head of the family  will not provide  enough food for the family. Again, many women are suffering from  depression and stress which tell on the  well-being of the children.  The campaign on breast feeding is going to the extreme. More emphasis should be on giving children a lot of vitamin nutrient. In our days, nursing mothers were given a lot of vitamin nutrient.

As an executive of NCWS can you tell us who is eligible to join the body?
NCWS is an umbrella society for all women organisations- professionals, NGOs, market women, just name it.

What impact has the body made  so far in the society?
The Bodija market came to be through the efforts of women in the NCWS. The body is a pressure group. In the past, trailers offload tomatoes and other farm produces at Mapo. There was then the  complaint that the trailers  which brought in the  crops   were killing people. The body being a pressure group called the  attention of the  state government to this  and it responded swiftly  relocating  the  market to Bodija which was then  a large and  bushy area.  Again the Adamasingba shopping complex came to be when a clarion call  was made to the state government by NCWS  that girls were raped and killed at the old race course. Also, before now women in the civil service who had the  same degree and qualification with their  male counterparts  were put on salary scale two steps lower than the men. Alhaja Alaga, one of the prominent founders  of NCWS stepped  into the matter and today  both are on the same scale. The NCWS once had a conference and presented a communique  which stressed the need  for  women’s  presence in the political scene  and civil service. Before then, there was no single appointment for women in these areas. Through these efforts we had the appointments of Professor (Mrs) Awe and Chief (Mrs.) Solanke as commissioners.

How easy  was it getting to the top especially as a woman?
As a woman, it was not easy because I had to ensure I didn’t fail to carry out my duties as a  wife and mother and this in combination with my duties in the university. I had to do the cooking, care for the home and  ensure the children have adequate attention. And in the university, you  carry out  research and write papers which I sometimes  do in the night due to  demands on me during the day. It’s not that the men are dragging us down, but they have more freedom. Another challenge is that of the students. These don’t have enough books to read. I have written two books which were launched last March. These are reference books. Women are as intelligent as men, but we always consider the children first.

What significant role did your spouse play to ensure you made a mark in your career?
He was in the Department of Biochemistry, University of Ibadan and thus understood what I was going through.  He’s a different man entirely. His  stay at the United States for his sabbatical leave changed his life. While I was cooking, he was bathing the children. Some men don’t do that. He was always encouraging me to project myself and target international journals. He’s a humble  and practical man despite his background. His father was a legal luminary.

Now that you have retired, what do you do?
My time is still full of activities. In  academics, retirement is a gradual process. Although I no longer lecture, but I still supervise projects and volunteer to do some work free. I enjoy it because I don’t have to look at the clock in carrying out my activities. I’m also an industrialist. I have a sugar project keeping me busy while I’m also working on a massage center. The machines are meant to rest the body and reduce high blood pressure, among others. These are all targeted  towards  maintaining good health.

How many female children do you have?
One and she’s married.

How did you feel when  she  was getting married?
It was as if a part of me was gone. Though she left home early at the age of 18 to study in England, I still felt her absence. It also hit me when my last two boys were getting married. In fact one told me “Mummy, I’m leaving home, I now have my own family.” I went to a corner and wept. Now the home is empty. I’m left with my better half, my husband. In all, I’m happy, I’m fulfilled having children, grandchildren and many other blessings. I thank God for all.

What do you consider your trade mark?
That’s my head gear. I can tie any style with it and it always stands me out.

How did you acquire the skill?
I started the headgear from age 10. It is just a talent I discovered  I possess and I am making maximum use of it. Funny enough, I cant tie it for others, I won’t just get it right.

s your daughter as good as you in the art?
No. Being  abroad, she hardly needs to tie it.

How do you unwind?
I listen to news and music.

Which is your best music?
Apala and Fuji. I love music by Haruna Ishola, Sikiru Ayinde and Orlando Owoh. Their music are full of philosophical statements.

Do you have a favourite perfume?
Yes,Opium.