• Tells City People
The 85th birthday party of Mrs Christianah Bamidele Olowe was held on Saturday, 23rd October 2021 in Ibadan. It was a great event organised by her lovely children; UK based Prophetess Adetutu Ogunleye-Olowe, Ronke Pearce, and Rotimi Olowe. The party was held in style as family members, friends, associates and well-wishers stormed the Bashmol Event Centre, along Old Ife Road in Ibadan to celebrate the loving and caring Madam Christianah, who many people fondly referred to as Mummy Saudi. It was a classic gathering and fun extravaganza as hours spent by guests at the event were not wasted.
The party had remarkable moments filled with fun as the popular Ibadan-based musician, Seun Treasures and his band, was fully on ground to dish out classic music to light up the day. The ceremony, which saw massive guests in attendance was held under the chairmanship of an erudite Professor Adewole. Notable among eminent personalities who turned up at the party were. The Most Sup. Evang. J. D. Nunayon of the Celestial Church of Christ, Prince Gbenga & Olori Gbemi Agbede, Engineer & Mrs Afolabi, Dr Funso Fakunle, Chief Jide Alao, Mr Seyi Onajide (The Managing Director of R.T Briscoe Nig), Miss Seyi Oyekan, the CEO of Cele Fabric Lagos and Joshua’s family.
Prominent groups in attendance include Members of Rev Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi of Love of Christ Generation Church, Victoria Island; Members of the Celestial Women Council Worldwide, led by its Matron and Chairperson, Mother Celestial F.A. Adefeso and Mother Celestial Victoria Omodudu respectively. Also members of the Oyo State chapter of the council were fully on ground.
Mrs Christianah Bamidele Olowe is a woman of virtue and a worthy mother to her children and those around her. She was born into the family of Mr Ezekiel Akinlotan Joshua and Mrs Abigail Abiodun Joshua (both of blessed memory) on 9th October 1936. She retired as a Nurse with a vast experience in Nigeria, the UK and Saudi Arabia. She is a Registered Nurse SRN, State Certified Midwife SCM and Registered Sick Children’s Nurse RSCN.
Mrs Olowe after retirement settled in Ibadan, where she went into trading. While reflecting on life at 85, Mrs Olowe in an exclusive interview with City People’s JAMIU ABUBAKAR listed many lessons life has taught her over the years. Below are the excerpts, read and enjoy!
How do you feel at 85?
I remember what my mother used to do when she was getting old. She used to say: ‘Ah! This old age is terrible and I used to look at her and say, ‘what is terrible about it?’ Now, I know. Going through some ailments of old age; people call it old age. I think it is old age because when you are growing up, you are trying to walk and when you are getting old, you walk with the stick. Now, I can’t do without the stick. There’s a lot to old age. But then it depends on how you take it. If you expect it to come, you will accept it.
What does it mean to clock 85?
I will say, I thank God. It is His grace. There are people younger than me who have just left us. And when you are 85, I think you should say thank you to God. You should not grumble.
What have you learnt about life at 85?
I tell you, before you get to 85, you must try and be nice to people. You must try and be kind to people. That’s preparing for old age. I have many girls with me. They are not my kids. They are all inside. The nicer you are to people, you get the reward. I will say people should be nice to whomever they live with; whether such people are their own child or they are not. Try and be nice. Try and be kind to people, whoever you meet, wherever you go. Just try and be kind to people. That’s what I have learnt.
Tell us about your birth and how you grew up?
I was born and bred in Ilesa. I schooled at Ilesa; my secondary school, everything at Ilesa before I went to Lagos Teaching Hospital. I only spent 6 months there. I then went to Mercy Seat Hospital. I spent less than a year there before I went to the UK for my training. And I will tell you the training given to me at home helped me a lot wherever I go. Because we were told to respect people. When I got to England and you know respecting the Britons, they looked at you as if to say: ‘See she’s very kind’, but not knowing that it’s the way I was brought up. And that made me get on with people. I get going with any kind of people.
Why do people call you Mummy Saudi?
I went to Saudi Arabia to work. And you know in the house, if you move from one place to the other, they would call you Mummy UI, Mummy Oke-Ado. That’s why they call me Mummy Saudi.
How was the experience of working in Saudi Arabia like?
Well, it depends on what you make of it. If you’re going to work there, you know the dos and don’ts. If you are ready to abide by the list of dos and don’ts, you would enjoy it; because you couldn’t go out to where you are not supposed to be. You don’t go out; they mustn’t see you with men on the street. Obey their rules, you would enjoy it. I spent 9 years there. So I have no regret.
At 85, you still look fashionable. What informed your fashion sense?
I was born with it. I think most things are in-born. I do learn, but it’s not a thing I learnt. It just came to me. I always say to my children you leave the make-up artist alone. I can do it myself. On the 9th of October, which was my birthday. I attended a Communion Service. And my daughter was asking; ‘Tosin, who made mummy’s makeup?’ She said she did. So it’s inborn.
Tell us about your religious life?
I was brought up in a Christian home. I was supposed to behave like Christians as we were taught. Not just like mere saying. We obeyed our parents. We were nice to people. They taught us to be nice to people and we know what we gained from it.
What is the secret of your staying healthy at 85?
Well, you eat well. You do exercise. I remember when I was in Saudi Arabia. I was 50+ then. I learnt how to swim there. I wake up at 5 in the morning to go and swim. And then on my day off, after swimming, I jog. And with a good heart too. It does matter what you use, without a good heart and being nice to people, it’s not right.
Tell us about your most remarkable moment.
I tell you something; when I had a son. They told me; ‘you had a son’. You know what I did; when I woke up, I got out of bed. I went to look to make sure it was a son I had.
What advice do you have for youths of today?
Work hard. Be nice to people. Don’t cheat. Wherever you are going to, you will get there. Don’t cheat people and think you are going to get away with it. You won’t get away with it. Follow what the Bible says, you won’t regret it. Don’t cheat.
What would be your remarks as we wrap up the interview?
Today is my birthday. I wish every one of you the same long life, prosperity and then I hope you continue to progress in your career. God will help you go through. Thank you!
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