With life expectancy in Nigeria pegged at 45, it may sound outlandish to see a woman who has gone through all life’s stages still kicking at 101. One of such is Chief Mrs. Rachael Adefunke Wellington. As a philanthropist, she is as passionate about life as it obtained when she was in her 20’s and 30’s. OYEBOLA OWOLABI reports that her passion to see Nigeria work again keeps her going
Early years
Dr Princess Rachael Adefunke Wellington was born in 1919 at Ijero-Ekiti, Ekiti State. Her father was the late Elepe of Epe, Oba Arowolo II and her mother was Princess Tinuola Arowolo of Ekiti State.
Education
She had her primary education at Ijero Righteous School, Ijero Ekiti State, after which she proceeded to Grade II Teachers’ Training College in Osogbo, Osun State. Later, she attended the University of Benin (UNIBEN) where she studied Political Science between 1975 and 1977. Fate presented to her the opportunity to travel to America where she attended Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. There, she continued with Political Science as her course of study.
Early business
She established Wellington Oil Refinery and Petrochemical in Houston Texas, the United States of America which she ran till she returned home in 1994 after retiring from the US to set up Fassey Royal Airline in 1994. The airline transmuted to Trans Africa World Airline in 2010. She was the first woman airline operator in Nigeria and Africa.
Marriage and children
She was married to the late Chief J. Wellington and they had three children–two boys and one girl. Currently, she has 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
Foundation
The establishment of Children Palm City (CPC), a non-governmental organisation (NGO) was borne out of her passion for Africa as a whole. She was in the US attending the United Nations Forum for Women, and each time they talked about the poor in Africa.
So, those among them who love Africa gathered and registered a company to take advantage of the opportunity they had in America with a view to attracting international donors to help them achieve something, instead of saying Africa is poor.
The foundation began in the US in 2012, the same year it began in Nigeria. It was registered with the Lagos State government as a non-profit organisation. The main aim of the foundation is to rid the streets of poor, uneducated children.
She said: “We want to care for the orphans, street and vulnerable children of Africa, starting from Nigeria as a pilot scheme. We intend to see that every child is educated, and then ensure they do not forget their roots when they become great in life; adding that her desire is to see that every Nigerian child gets quality education and is able to contribute to the development of the African economy.
Work
Wellington said their operations cut across the African continent, adding that as soon as they stabilise in Nigeria, they will move to other African countries.
“We began on May 27 Children’s Day. After getting approval from the Lagos State government, we gathered the children, talked to them and their parents about our intention. We found the children ourselves as the parents were not bringing them. They were roaming the streets, so we went to their homes to investigate their real status of vulnerability. We feed, clothe, and teach them every day. Now we have about 100 children in our care in Baruwa.
“We also went to Badagry and found more than 2,000 children who have never gone to school and some with little education.
Funding
On how the foundation is funded, she said: “The foundation is funded by me and a board of trustees. It’s not enough, but one of our objectives is to invest in agriculture to feed the children and educate them when we sell proceeds. We don’t intend to rely on the public; if they give we will take, but we intend to be self-sufficient. .
Nigerians are not givers. We are expecting big donors from overseas, and whatever we are able to get at home, we will add. But our main focus is agriculture because whether we get from the people or not, or when people who promise fail, we can fall back on our agriculture produce.
We have gotten about four hectares from the Ajero of Ijero land in Ekiti State, and about five hectares from former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola. In Epe and Lekki, we plan for fishery, and we are inviting foreign experts from Malaysia, Israel and America to help us in the agriculture business on a 50-50 joint venture.”
Continuity
Continuity starts from the people who are managing the project now. Once the agriculture starts, and we are able to feed these children, we are satisfied. We intend to engage in all the aspects of agriculture so that we have no reason to be stranded for fund or food since we will be eating from our farm and selling the remaining to fund the children’s education.
Secret of longevity
Commenting on her longevity, the founder of CPC said: “It is God. My father died at 75 and my mother at 74. Though I lived in America for 40 years, I take care of myself; I know what to eat and what not to eat. I engage in exercises; I jog a lot. Though I can’t jog outside anymore, I still do it inside to ensure I am fit.”
Average daily activities
For this great centenarian, daily activities begin at 6:00 a.m., when she wakes up. She prays for two hours, have her breakfast and then business starts.
She said: “Actually the business keeps me active. When you are active, your brain and body are always at alert. I would advise retirees to be active even in retirement. I am still very strong and though the body is is getting weak, the spirit it still very strong and willing.”
Describe your personality
On her personality, she said: “It is difficult for someone to describe himself or herself, but I know I am a good person. I am peculiarly made. Even the Bible says so. Looking at myself and what has happened around me, and what is happening now, makes me know that I am an important personality.
“There is no where I can’t go to; no one I can’t talk to. I have gone round the world meeting people. Some Americans used to ask if I am a Black-American, but I tell them I am full blooded Nigerian, born and raised in Nigeria. I am a great personality. Even when I was young, I see no man above me. We sit together and make good grades. Apart from the fact that I am a Princess, everyone likes to help me and that convinces me that I am a great person. I rate myself like the president of this country. Nobody, except God, is above me. But in all these, I respect the law.”
How would you like to be remembered?
“I would like to be remembered for what I am doing now, for helping the poor, especially women of this country, many of whom have no money to raise their standard. I want to be remembered as helping the poor, imparting the word of God to those who have not heard it before,” she said.
To the government
She advised the government to do what God has placed in their hands without listening to gossips or criticisms, though criticism makes one to do better. So, they should try to do well. “Anybody can criticise the government but it doesn’t mean it is not doing well. I pray war will not come to Nigeria. I don’t see any coming problem that the country cannot survive; it has been surviving it and will continue to survive because Nigeria is a survivor. Developed countries went through what we are going through and they survived so we are not alone.
“The government should also give youths the enabling environment to be creative and they would do wonders. Our youths are imbued with gifts and talents, they only need the right platform to manifest their ingenuity,” she said.