Everyone knows Chief (Dr) Mrs Onikepo Akande. She is the stylish woman of substance who has dominated the social scene, not just in Lagos but in the South-west region of the country, for many decades. If you belong to the top echelon of society and you do not know the woman of substance called Nike Akande, then you know nobody. Chief (Dr.) Mrs Nike Akande is the ever radiant and forever gorgeous accomplished woman who has built a reputation for herself as one of the outstanding women to come out of the country. If there is one woman in the land today who has defied all the laws of ageing, it must be the delectable Chief (Dr) Mrs Nike Akande. Every time this ageless beauty steps out, she not only turns heads but gets everyone wondering how she has sustained her gorgeous look despite that she has hit 77 years of age. Let us tell you more about this hugely accomplished woman. She is a renowned industrialist and investment expert. Chief (Dr) Mrs Nike Akande, OON, CON, is Nigeria’s first female minister of Industry (she’s a 2-time minister) second female president of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the current Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadan. Ask anyone and they will tell you that you cannot be Nike Akande’s friend if you’re empty upstairs because she is an incredibly brilliant woman herself and likes to surround herself with like minds.
City People’s Senior Editor, WALE LAWAL (08037209290) caught up with her at the installation ceremony of Princess Folashade Omotade as the Mojibade of Egba land in Abeokuta penultimate Saturday. She came to Alake of Egba’s palace for the installation in the same car as the celebrant. Nike Akande is like a big sister to Princess Folashade Omotunde. She shared her relationship with the Mojibade of Egba land and how she has sustained her gorgeous look and passion for fashion for so many decades. Enjoy excerpts of the interview.
Share with us, ma, your relationship with the celebrant, Princess Folashade Omotade Odumosu?
Thank you very much. It is my pleasure to be here this morning. I have known the celebrant for many years. I knew her from way back when I was a minister in Abuja. She is a very lovely human being, a well-behaved woman and very helpful too. She is also very energetic and a fashionista as well. But most importantly, she had got good character. And I have said that somebody like her has been given this honour because of her good character. So, I’m very happy to be here to support her.
What would you like to say to her on this special day, any words of advice?
She knows me very well. I am the Iyalaje Iyalode of Ibadan, so she knows I will always be there for her when she needs support. I will only advise her to continue the way she’s been conducting herself. God has been kind to her and God will continue to bless her and all that is hers in Jesus mighty name. Again, good character and integrity are very important, she must uphold these qualities and it shall be well with her. I wish her the very best.
For those who have known you over the years, good character and integrity is probably the first thing they will say about you. Rarely will you find anyone say a negative thing about you. People have tremendous respect for you and everyone warms up to you, how have you been able to keep this lovable personality?
Thank you very much. I am a very happy person. I am a contented person. I’m a woman of peace. I am so very happy with what God has done for me and this has helped me in life.
I must say, ma, you’re someone who is always very calm and collected, but I would like to know, what could easily trigger your anger, what could get on your nerves very quickly.
Very few things, but one of them is if people who don’t know me say things that are not right about me. But I easily forgive people. I don’t want to keep malice. It’s not good for my health. I always try to ensure that I have my peace of mind at all times.
Is that one of the reasons why you have remained ever gorgeous all of these years, ma, you seem to be defying the laws of ageing.
Thank you very much. God has been kind to me. I give thanks to him. It is the grace of God, it’s not my own doing, I must be honest with you.
You mean there’s nothing special that you do, tips that the younger ones can pick from?
I try as much as humanly possible to have a free mind. I also try to eat healthy food and do little exercises so that I can be able to continue the work that God has brought me into this world to do.
Tell us about your fashion style, ma. You are someone whose fashion style has evolved over the years. From corporate look to traditional, high end and regular designers, you have done it all. You have also proven that, despite your age, you’re not slowing down at all. Tell us about this part of you, ma.
Well, the thing is, I like to look good. It’s something I have a passion for. It is a part of me, that’s why age hasn’t been able to take it away from me. Fashion is something I picked up from my childhood days. And I like decent dressing. I don’t like to expose my body. And because I’m a traditional chief, I wear traditional outfits a lot. Also, I’m a corporate woman, so I also wear corporate outfits. So, I try to dress to fit the occasion.
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