• Thursday, March 28, 2024
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‘If there were reincarnation, I would not return to Nigeria of today’

Matilda Akinwande 3

As Nigeria marks her 60th independence anniversary, a nonagenarian, Matilda Akinwande (93) from Ondo State, who spoke with ZEBULON AGOMUO, Editor, through an interpreter, in this interview said she would not like to be a Nigerian in the next world if there was anything like reincarnation as a result of the unfortunate happenings in the country nowadays. She also urged the people of Ondo State to play by the rules as they elect a new governor on October 3, as power only comes from God. Excerpts:

You have seen many days in Nigeria. You must have also seen ups and downs. Could you please tell us the happiest moment of your life, as well as your saddest moment in the last 93 years?

As you have said there have been good and bad times. My happiest moment was when I gave birth to my first child which was a female. I was also very excited when I gave birth to my second child, a male.

You have lost your husband for many years now; how did you manage to take care of your children single-handedly?

I was a trader and I traded on many, many things. I ensured that my children received the best parental care. I made sure they lacked nothing, and all of had good education. I was not weakened by the death of my husband, but I faced the future with courage, and God helped me.

Comparing Nigeria of today with what the country used to be when you were a youth, are there some regret or fulfillment; simply put, can we say that Nigeria has made great progress?

Ahhhh. Things have terribly gone bad. There’s a lot of difference. For instance, in the area of respect for elders and the value system, when you tell a child come, that child will come; it does not matter whether or not he or she is your biological child. There was respect for elders. It was unheard of for a child to disrespect an elder. But the youth of today do not have regard for anybody. The difference is so sharp that there is no basis for comparison. Come to think of it, the earth does not change; God does not change; the sky does not change, but people’s behaviours have sharply changed and we are just watching.

In terms of governance, how would you describe the government of today vis-à-vis governments in the past?

There is a sharp difference. Governments of those days tried to serve the people; they tried to make life very easy for people, and people lived life with ease, but things are no longer the same. We are just assisting government with prayers that God will help them to have the interest of the people they are leading at heart.

From all you have seen in Nigeria in your 93 years on earth so far, would you be happy to return to Nigeria, if there were reincarnation, as a citizen after you must have left the earth?

In the first place, I would like to come back after leaving here. I do not believe in reincarnation, but if there were anything like reincarnation, with what I am seeing in the country these days, I won’t return to Nigeria of today as a citizen; never. Why would I return here with the killings and all the terrible things happening in the country these days? I have my radio here with me and each time I tune in to a station, it is all about negative things; no pleasant news. There is nothing that gives people joy and happiness in Nigeria of today. I am not happy about what is happening in Nigeria these days. It is disheartening what we hear about, and the kind of things that people do here today.

At your age, you look strong and healthy; what is the secret?

The privilege I have is that my children are taking very, very good care of me. All my children, both the males and females are taking good care of me. If not my eyes that are no longer as sharp as they should be, I would still be doing my trading business. I still knead with thread. I knead caps for babies and adults, and I also break ‘egusi’ (melon). I still have that energy, just because my children take good care of me. In terms of medication, they are always there; they get all the necessary supplements I need; in terms of food, I am glad to tell you that, it is whatever that I request that they give me, not whatever they have. They always ask me what I want, and they give me whatever I want at every moment. So, the secret of my sound health and agility is what I have just told you, and of course, the God-factor, which is key.

 

Matilda Akinwande

I can see you are a Christian. Were you born into a Christian family of you changed religion at a point?

My husband used to be the Archbishop of Cherubim and Seraphim Church. I was church mother (Iya ajo). When I came to Lagos 40 years ago to stay with my son, he took me to a Pentecostal church where he used to worship (he still worships there today). When my husband came to Lagos, they told him that I have not been attending Cherubim and Seraphim; initially he was not happy with me. But I told him that there was no love where I was going but that I have found that there is love in the new place. My husband then made a statement and said, all churches were of God. I was excited with that reply and he left me to be attending the church with my son. Today, I am very happy that I took that decision at that time. And I am ready for rapture even at this moment.

You have spoken about your regret over the country; what is your wish or prayer for the country as we celebrate 60 years of independence?

We must not be carried away with all the entertainment and celebration over the 60th independence anniversary; we must be full of prayers for Nigeria. We must pray for the progress of Nigeria and for the fear of God to dwell in the heart of our leaders so that they have the interest of the people at heart. So many people are hungry; some people do not have anything to eat, in a country that has abundance of everything. We must pray against the bloodshed going on across the country, and that God should have mercy upon the land. Nigeria is our country; we must have that burden to do everything that will promote the good of the country.

Although you live in Lagos, if you hear today that Ondo is on fire you will feel very bad about it because you come from there. The state is going into gubernatorial election on October 10; what advice would you give them- both the contestants as well as voters?

My prayer and desire is that God will put a person that would rule the state well and that will also have the fear of God at heart. For those contesting, I want to tell them that power comes from God. Nobody should kill or do anything that is against the will of God because of power. Again, the people should allow their conscience guide their choice. The choice they will make on the Election Day will bring blessing or otherwise to them. My prayer is that the election will go well.