Posted by By CHRISTY ANYANWU on
At 64, she looks elegant and inviting. Chief Mrs. Nike Akande, a two-time Federal Minister held her audience spellbound at a recent seminar organized by Poise International.
•Why I look good at 64, by Nike Akande
At 64, she looks elegant and inviting. Chief Mrs. Nike Akande, a two-time Federal Minister held her audience spellbound at a recent seminar organized by Poise International. On this particular day, she delivered the lecture entitled "Challenges of the 21st century woman." And she did it in a very unique way. She also used the opportunity to teach the women how to handle issues, especially at home and in the office.
The participants, which comprised of women working in the banking sector, oil and gas, and telecommunication, were thrilled. It was very creative session in which the amazon revealed some success tips and how to keep the home front while in active service.
This woman whose second name is ‘glamour' also told Daily Sun more about herself and life. "You cannot ignore your home, you cannot ignore your children but you must have a way to balance everything. It's not easy but it can be done.
The fact that we have this programme means we appreciate that there is a problem. There is a gap that has to be filled. In the past women just concentrate on their career, or concentrate on the home. It depends on what the family wants. But what I'm saying is that you can do both and be successful. It is a question of balance," she said.
Challenges of a woman
There would always be challenges in life. If you don't have a supporting husband, why don't you ask yourself why is he not supporting you? You know some of these successful women are arrogant. They don't know how to behave. Their money usually enters their head. Maybe their husband is not rich and successful to have that position that they have. They don't treat him with respect and nobody likes it. Even a small child, if you treat him with respect, he will react. If you want to get love you must give love. If you want support, you must carry a man along and be nice to him.
Even at work, nobody wants you to rise very high. I'm always a determined person and when there is any challenge I take it and make sure that there is something positive coming up. You can work very hard at your career but don't overwork yourself. You find these women, they stay too long in the office and by the time they get home, they are stressed out. By the time they get home they don't have time for their husband and children.
If you have small children you can get people to help you but you should also show concern, especially to your husband. Every opportunity you have is important to carry him along.
Managing my home
I was very busy. I thank God, my husband has been very supportive. He was happy that I was made a minister. Who wouldn't be happy if his wife is elevated? And I give him respect. I'm a humble person; I give him all the things a wife should give her husband. I have a cook but to make him happy, when the cook is cooking I will go and say how is the food? You must prepare oga's meal quickly and he is so happy. It is even my husband that would tell me to take things easy, that the cook knows how to do everything.
You must know how to make people happy. Some people will cross their legs and if the man says he is hungry, they will say don't you know the way to the kitchen? I just came back from work like you, I'm tired. Marriage is not a bed of roses, but you have to work at it. You have to give and show love-and then the marriage will work. I have been married for many years and I always tell people you have to show love to your husband.
Finesse
I didn't go to a finesse school but I went to good schools. I went to Queens, in those days Queens School Ede and Queens College, Lagos, were some of the best schools. They teach you how to behave, how to use the fork, how to sit down and things like that, but I've not been to any finishing school.
People tell me I look good at 64 years. I think it's God's grace. I do little exercise and I try as much as possible to watch what I eat. But sometimes it is difficult with my official outings. I think I just have a flair for nice things. I know what I want to buy and what I want to wear.
You are fashionable, where did you learn the art of dressing?
Fashion is in the family. Even my mother, grandmother, everybody in my family is fashionable. If you see some of our photographs, you will know that we are fashionable in our family. There was a time when we were very young, we were schooling in England. My grandmother even had a house in England, 14, Upland Road, for her children and grandchildren schooling there. Whenever we went out, we were well dressed. People in London admired us for our dress sense in those years. So, it's in the family. I've always been fashionable from childhood. My childhood pictures will reveal this to you.