Past president, Inner Wheel District 911, Oluwemimo Olasanya recently visited Igbogbo Health Centre, Ikorodu, Lagos, where she presented assorted gifts to pregnant mothers and newly born babies to mark her 70th birthday. Ogheneyoma Omarejedje caught up with her for an interview
WHAT does life at 70 means to you?
First, I must admit that it has been a wonderful journey. Life at 70 is sweet, it is lovely and life actually depends on what you set out to achieve. This would actually determine the way you make things work for you and the way you want it to be. Once you have laid a solid foundation and worked hard, then you will find that it can be very exciting.
Tell us about some memorable moments in your life?
There are so many memorable moments and as you go down memory lane, you will discover that they help to make you who you are. I was about four years old when I lost my mother and I didn’t even notice that my mother was dead because my father was a wonderful and devoted man. There were so many wonderful memories and I remember that in those days, I would sit by his feet while he ate and we would eat together. He took great care of me that I didn’t know my mother was dead. It wasn’t until I was seven years old or eight, that I realised she was dead. However, the truth about my life’s journey is that it was so tough for me. It was so rough that I don’t want to remember or recall the past. I went through a lot and I am grateful that I survived against the many odds. That, perhaps, is the reason I started this celebration with church thanksgiving because I am a Christian.
What were the challenges and how did you overcome?
I was what I describe as a half orphan in polygamy set up. So you can imagine what I went through, but I made up my mind not to give up. Determined, I pushed on and overcame my challenges with prayers. Prayer is the answer and it helped me open all the closed doors, as well as forge ahead at every phase of my life. If you know how to call on your God, He will answer, and when you knock on the door, the lord will open it for you. That was what happened to me, I love prayer all the way, and I thank God today that I am alive.
Tell us about your role models and mentors?
Interestingly, I didn’t have one until I joined Inner wheel about 20 years ago. It was at Inner wheel that my eyes opened to a lot of opportunities and a new way of doing things, especially service to humanity.
The set-up was simply different and gradually, I began to see and learn a lot from my peers. There were lots of innovative ideas and projects to work on and I discovered a lot, learning from the wealth of experience of my seniors in the organisation. The ex posures helped me to rediscover skills I never knew I had. Today, in Inner Wheel, I have so many mentors and role models.
Tell us about your life serving humanity and the positions you have held?
I must say that it has been very eventful and I am a past district chairman. Last year, I became the immediate past district chairman. The two years that I served as district chairman was very interesting. My experience now as a past district chairman is not limited; you move on to the next stage. Once you are in Inner wheel, there is structure and you have the opportunity to serve at different levels.
Inner Wheel is a humanitarian service organisation where you meet women with a lot of experience, so you stand to learn a lot from them. My present position is to perform whatever role that is assigned to me, which I do accordingly.
How has the organisation affected your life?
It has motivated, educated and inspired me in so many ways. At Inner Wheel, you learn from your seniors and follow in their footsteps. We have a constitution and we abide by the rules.
What’s your target in the next five years?
I still what to remain in Inner Wheel and continue to serve. Each time there is a vacuum in inner wheel, you move forward; so I still want to be in inner wheel to serve and perform any role given to me.
What lessons has life taught you?
Life; in this life, you learn to be friendly. If you are friendly, you will not have problems; you show love to people around you love, everywhere. This includes your family. Anywhere you are at any point in time, it is very important to show love to people. Bear no grudges; if you know that someone knows more than you, then it is better to move close to them. The truth of the matter is that the person can be your mentor.
If you are to advise Nigerian women, what would you tell them?
I would advise them to be friendly, to show love to everyone that they come across, and if there is need to help or support them, they should try to support people who are in need. We need to show love to people, help people and learn to give. It is better to give than to receive. If you are a giver, it is God that rewards. God will continue to reward you. If you are a giver, you will be receiving all the time. That is God for you.