Should Nigerian women prepare wills when their husband is still alive?. Please vote.[size=14pt]Every Woman Should Prepare A Will’[/size]
Saturday, 19 June 2010
Ask Chief (Mrs.) Modupe Adeleke, President, Zonta Club, Ibadan II, what makes a happy home and she will roll out the recipes. She speaks on the activities of her organisation and also reveals more about what has been keeping her and her hubby together for nearly 40 years in this interview with TOLUWANI OLAMITOKE. Excerpts: What’s Zonta Club about? Zonta Club is a global organisation of executives and professionals working together to advance the status and lot of women worldwide through services and advocacy.
In what ways is the club different from other philanthropic organisations? The focus is to help humanity. we show and express love through our services. We also spend money and make use of our God-given talents and skills to improve the status of women and indirectly the society at large. Zonta Club is basically an organisation meant to liberate women and improve their lot educationally, professionally, politically, socially, emotionally, psychologically, mentally and economically. We aims at a total woman. The organisation also aims at improving the goodwill of fellowship while it also promotes justice and universal peace. We are also united internationally to foster healthy ethical standards. At present, we have adopted a village –Idi-omo in Oyo State. We are making our presence felt in this community by impacting on the women through running of cooperatives. they have been orientated on the importance of savings while they can also borrow funds to run their businesses. We have likewise provided the community with borehole water while the issue of health is being attended to.
What impact does Zonta Club as a woman’s organisation have directly on women in the society? We made a case for the under-aged who are maltreated, abused or forced into marriage. We have made our stand known on the issue of Senator Sani Ahmed (Yerima) who got married to a 13-year-old Egyptian girl. Zonta Club has continually fought for the right of women. Record is on ground that we fought against the judgment passed on a woman who was caught with a man in adultery in Zamfara State during the tenure of Sani as the then governor of the state. She was to be stoned to death but in the end, justice prevailed. We have just built a school in Bodija market, Ibadan, for children of women selling there. It was discovered that many of these children loiter around in the market, wasting away while their mothers are busy trading or doing other things to make ends meet.
How long have you been in the club? Over 10 years.
And when did you assume office as president? That was on Sunday, June 6, 2010. I will be there till 2012.
What are the qualities which gave you edge over others? I believe I have the ability and leadership qualities to lead. I have led in many capacities and made a mark. I was also sure that with my steadfast contribution to the progress of Zonta Club, I would get to the top some day.
What plans do you have on ground as president? My plan is to encourage students in secondary schools with excellent performance in science and mathematics by giving them scholarships from SS1 to SS3.These students are members of the Zee Club. There is also the Golden Zee Club comprising students in tertiary institutions. Zonta Club plays a major role in mentoring and helping them in choosing professions which would stand them out among their peers, especially in fields like technology and engineering.
Some people hold the notion that women who belong to organisations such as Zonta Club are believed to be independent-minded and display a lot of ego which do not make them submissive to their husbands. What’s your comment? I will say that’s a wrong opinion. Zonta Club is not a social organisation, but a club meant for professionals and executives. The first set of women who made up the members in the United States were those who were first to attend schools and made their impact in the United States. We are focussed, have a mission and vision. Our creed says we must be above such. We love and are not self-seeking and thus meet everyone with love.
how old is your marriage? It will be 40 years old on December 26.
What, from your experience, makes a happy home? The foundation of any home should be God. With God, the foundation will be solid. Marriage demands a lot of patience to make it succeed. Lack of this has led to conflict and broken homes. The result is the high percentage of children from these homes in the society. They are bitter against their parents and the society who have offered them no love, care, attention or help. African men generally are not loving and caring as one would except. But the love for the children would make one overlook whatever the man is doing. Our mothers, in their days, tolerated and sacrificed a lot to hold their homes. But our modern girls are not ready to bear or endure. Their slogan is “for good, for stay; for bad, for fly.” Tolerance is a recipe for a happy home but this has to be backed by God’s grace. Without this, you can’t tolerate for long.
You have been married for long. What do you do to spice up your relationship? Maintaining the love in a relationship demands extra effort. I still cook for my spouse and you know the best way to get to a man’s heart is through your food. I ensure the house is clean, warm and welcoming. I also don’t fail to look neat and radiant. This not only attracts you to your spouse but you also give yourself pleasure looking good. When you make yourself radiant or attractive, it doesn’t mean your spouse won’t look at other women, but you keep yourself in good shape so much that other people will have to ask, “what is this man looking for in other women with a charming and radiant wife at home?”
On the issue of transfer of ownership of properties to the younger ones, do you think it’s proper for a woman to write a will aside her husband’s? I believe it is necessary. In the olden days, parents trained their children who, in return, take care of them when they are advancing in age. Today, children, even when married, still have their parents meeting their needs. By writing a will, one would rest assured that their future is secured. Again, a lot of African men engage in extra-marital relationship which can hamper the fortune of the children at home. But nobody can contend with whatever you have left for them if you write a will.
How do you pamper your body? I’m not on special diet. I believe when one’s mind is put at rest, it reflects on the look. I don’t bother myself about anything. With peace of mind, a problem is half solved. I also go to the gym.
And how do you relax? My discipline endears me to children. I have a boarding school in my home for primary school pupils. I chat, play and take the children out for a ride.
Do you have something you can’t do without when dressing up? Yes. That is my perfume and make-up. My spouse and I were classmates at the University of Ife. When we met, I didn’t believe in make- up and as such, wasn’t making up, but he liked it probably because he had worked with Western Nigeria Broadcasting Service (WNBS) and Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) and had seen more light and fashion. When we were married, he would go out and buy me make-up. I later started applying this. There are times I want to look natural, but because people are used to seeing me with make-up, they will keep asking if something is wrong? Marriage is give and take. Occasionally, you do things to please your spouse so that your home can be peaceful.
Some men frown at their wives picking their calls. Is your hubby one of such? My husband doesn’t like it and I don’t do it. This gives both of us peace.
What are you comfortable in? I wear both native and english. But I don’t put on short dresses.
Age? 65 years old.
http://www.tribune.com.ng/sat/index.php/women-affairs/1310-every-woman-should-prepare-a-will.html |
Bukayne, don't resurrect this thread.
Don't, don't, don't.
Done! Gbam!
Strange interview.
The peace keeping was obviously from the woman's end alone.
Zonta Club is basically an organisation meant to liberate women and improve their lot educationally, professionally, politically, socially, emotionally, psychologically, mentally and economically. We aim at a total woman.
@Bold: Hmmmm
How do you do this effectively while running the typical Nigerian marriage?
Could it be why the women advocacy thingy is not effective? |