OGUN 1st Lady, Mrs. BAMIDELE ABIODUN
Each time I see you at events, watch how you conduct yourself, listen to you speak, the impressions I have of you are that you must’ve been a fiercely focused, prim and proper lady right from your youth. But I’d like you to tell us, what kind of young lady were you, ma, were you like any other average young girl out there while growing up?
I would say that I was like any other young lady out there. I had the same kind of aspirations that most girls have. I grew up like a normal person, rode my bicycle when it was time to ride my bicycle, cooked when I needed to cook, went to parties when I needed to go to parties and had boyfriend when I needed to have boyfriend. But I had boundaries and my mother, she was particularly forthright. She passed away 17 years ago. I never saw her lie. She was one that always spoke her mind. With her, what you saw was what you got. So, I think watching her as a child has had an influence on all of us. Her way of life was like a guide to all of us. I got into trouble like any other child, but in all, I remained a child that my parents will always be proud of.
You’re a woman of impeccable taste and panache. But you are moderate in your appearance.
Share with us, how your fashion style evolved as a young girl growing up? What sort of influence did you get from Mom, from big sister and the likes?
My fashion style is rooted in simplicity and elegance, and I believe in wearing pieces that reflect my personality. Classic, timeless, or comfortable, appropriate for every occasion. I mean, some people say that, if you have something in your wardrobe and you haven’t worn them for two years, give it out. I don’t believe in that. Of course, I have things that I’ve not worn for 2 years, and I still wear them, and they still look okay. You know, because I don’t like to follow the trend, I like to do classic. I like classic, I think it’s clean. You know, then, growing up, my mother was a great influence. I mean, she was very simple. She was very simple, yet stylish, sophisticated. She didn’t do makeup, nail polish, and all that. She was also very virtuous. And then she had an effortless way of blending modesty with sophistication, and that has stayed with me over time as well. And I also learned to infuse modern trends. Modern trends, not the one that I’ll buy something today, I’ll wear it today, and the next day they’ll say they’re not wearing it again, no. I mean, I’ll still wear my own, because I believe in individuality. I don’t have to follow the crowd. I can set my own pace, I can decide this is what I’m about. If you say that you can’t wear it, there’s nothing like that for me, because it’s what I like. And then I’ve spent my money to buy what I like, and I like it. So why would you now tell me that I can’t wear it? And I don’t have a wardrobe manager, I’ve never had one, none. Even throughout office, I pick my own clothes. I’m not that kind of person whereby I’m so organized I pick my clothes for one week, nope. If I have a program today, at best, maybe the day before, and I say, ah, what am I going to wear tomorrow? And I think, okay, let me wear this, and I’ll bring it out. And I’m always happy with my choice, never been disappointed.
What’s your favourite fashion accessory, that you can’t do without?
I have always liked shoes. I’m a shoe person. Shoes, comfortable shoes, high heel shoes that I can walk in. Some of them I can’t walk in, I’ll be struggling. But because it looks too good, I endure. But shoes, I’ve always had a weakness for shoes. I love unusual shoes, but they don’t make unusual shoes anymore.
How about bags?
I like bags. I love bags. But I’ve gone to a point where, I don’t know, I’m just… Maybe my values are just moving away from,’ah, I want to have this one, I want to have that one.’ It doesn’t interest me anymore. And then again, in the face of extreme, abject poverty, I’ll be carrying expensive stuff about? How? If I want to carry it, let me carry it in my corner, but not when people cannot eat. Sometimes I think about these things. Sometimes I want to go and eat out. Not that I can’t afford it, I can afford to go and eat out and spend maybe like 100K or 200K, but I’ll think about it. If you give somebody 100K, their lives will be better. I’ll sit down at home and I’ll cook my Indomie. And I’ll eat my food and I’ll be happy. It’s about making sacrifices sometimes. Then, I’ll make sure that I give that money to somebody. But they don’t have to come back and say thank you to me. That’s the one I don’t like because that’s what the Bible even commands us to do. If you give with your right hand, don’t let your left hand know about it. We’re too showy in Nigeria. Everybody is doing some thing, they must put their name on it. I don’t believe in that.
