I enjoy life as a grandmother –Josephine Anenih

Josephine Anenih

Former Minister of Women Affairs and ex-Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, responds to questions from BOSEDE OLUSOLA-OBASA on her life

What lessons did you learn as a child?

As children, we were taught mainly through storytelling and adult examples. Those lessons helped to inculcate enduring values like honesty, loyalty, patience, integrity, courage, truthfulness, devotion, fear of God, respect for neighbours and elders, doing unto others what you want them to do to you, abhorrence of cheating, lying and stealing. I learnt that there is dignity in labour and hardwork does not kill. Also, a good reputation or a good name is better than money.

How would you describe your experience in Queens College?

Compared to now, I would say that Queens College was a paradise on earth. There was beauty, discipline, love and abundance. There was material abundance, food, clean air, a rounded education. I met good, sincere and loyal friends, who loved the person in you rather than what they would gain from you. Most importantly, I learnt spirituality and the fear of God

Having been born in Sokoto State, how does it feel to see the violence in the North?

It is quite disheartening, very sad that the idyllic North I grew up in, that accommodated diversities should now be a theatre of war, bloodshed and pain. I pray for God’s intervention. I know that even the perpetrators are not happy, so it’s a no-win situation.

You trained as a lawyer and even led a professional association. What made you drift into politics?

That is the beauty of being a lawyer; lawyers can operate in any sector because of their unique training. That is why they are called learned men and women. All over the world, the most outstanding and well-known politicians were and are lawyers. Let’s take a quick tour around the world – in America, we have Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Barrack Obama. In India, we had Mahatma Ghandi; in Britain, Margaret Thatcher; in Pakistan, there was Benazir Bhutto. In South Africa, we have the iconic Nelson Mandela. Back home in Nigeria, we had Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sam Mbakwe, Bola Ige. We also have Lai Mohammed, Senator Akerele Bucknor, Senator Joy Emodi, Senator Kairat Gwadabe, Erelu Olusola Obada, Hajia Mulikat Akande-Adeola (Majority Leader of the House of Representatives), Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Senator Pius Anyim, Governors Godswill Akpabio, Liyel Imoke. In fact many members of the political class, both past and present, are lawyers. If you are not a lawyer, you have no business with politics. As a lawyer, you are an all-rounder and can deal with issues of life.

There are insinuations that you were unhappy about your ouster as minister of women affairs. How true is this?

(Laughter) Ouster? You make it sound as if there was a coup d’etat. I was appointed by President Goodluck Jonathan towards the tail end of the administration of President Umaru Yar’Adua. After his (Jonathan’s) election, he was expected to constitute a team according to the provisions of the constitution. It is entirely his prerogative and pleasure to appoint whoever he wants to work with at any point in time. Knowing this, there is no basis for me to have any ill-feeling that I was not returned to serve in the Ministry of Women Affairs.

What’s your typical day since leaving government?

My typical schedule is unbelievably busy. I live by strict priorities to be able to carry out the things I need to do every day. I get many invitations to workshops, seminars, programmes about women and children, political meetings, church programmes and other Christian activities, within and outside the country. Sometimes I find that I travel a lot, and then I have to relax. I get involved in a lot of humanitarian work and human rights advocacy through my NGO – Women Foundation of Nigeria. I would advise women professionals to be a professional to the core. They should not compromise themselves or positions. A female professional must not lose her feminity, but “fight like a man and win like a woman.”

What prompted your interest in women-related matters?

I guess being a woman in Nigeria, experiencing the life of a woman in Nigeria with all the cultural and social inhibitions, marginalisation, oppression, segregation that women labour under. I decided to be a change agent and do something about it by elevating the status of women, building their self confidence and self respect and generally making them realise that in creation, they are as good as their brothers. So I decided to devote my time and my life to advance the work that some of our mothers started in the past.

Have you always wanted to live a loud and public life?

Of course not, I didn’t set out to live a loud and public life. Personally, I don’t think I’m loud but I’m in the public because of my public service. I live a life of serving the public

Any regret in your marital adventure?

No, not at all; not in the least. I have no regrets whatsoever. I’m blessed with a lovely doting family. I’m blessed with children who are now men and women of timbre and calibre and the most wonderful grand children one would ever want.

Relieve your experience as a grandmother…

The stage of grand-motherhood is more interesting and more relaxing than the period of motherhood. At that stage, the grand children are all sweet and spicy. They are fun and darling little angels unlike your children who were little devils trying to drive you mad all the time. The grand children are better behaved, and can hardly do wrong. They deserve to get anything they ask for and their wet kisses on your cheeks and forehead is sheer happiness. Their screaming as they run around is pure music to the ears. One does not worry they will fall and break their necks because you know they will not. Grandma sounds sweeter than Mummy.

How do you relax despite your busy schedule, do you attend parties?

At the end of a busy day, I unwind by listening to uplifting gospel music or just chilling with my grand children and enjoying their innocent chatter and running around.

What would you want to be remembered for?

Well, I want to be remembered as someone who always spoke the truth no matter whose ox was gored. I would like to be remembered as one who would not see injustice and inhumanity meted to others and one who was always there for others.

You have a lot going for you in your home state, Anambra. Describe your relationship with political leaders in your state?

Yes, I have a lot going for me in Anambra State. I enjoy the respect and regards of our political and traditional leaders in the State. Our relationship is very cordial and mutually respectful. Traditionally, my people have a great deal of respect and love for their daughters and a special one for senior daughters. As one in that category, I enjoy their love and respect. As a holder of the highest traditional title that a woman in my community can hold, it bestows on me special privileges and added respect and honour. I have a very good rapport with all the politicians in my state, irrespective of political bent. My governor is not from my party but we get on very well because a stronger bond than party affiliation holds us together.