Posted by By Yetunde Oladeinde on
Although there was no noisy party to celebrate the event, she was happy, with her face radiating like a morning sun. Yes, Mrs. Oye Akintola Williams is 83. And she is strong and going.
Although there was no noisy party to celebrate the event, she was happy, with her face radiating like a morning sun. Yes, Mrs. Oye Akintola Williams is 83. And she is strong and going.
But why would someone who attains the age of 83 in a world where people die young, mark it quietly? "My intention is to spend my birthday quietly. Besides, I have already spent half of the day here," she says.
You also ask her if there is anything she would like to do with her better half, in remembrance of that day, she says: "Yes, renewed love and friendship. We have enjoyed happiness for almost six decades. Everything has worked out fine. What else can anyone ask for?"
So, what is Mr. Accountant going to give his precious jewel? A boyish grin masks his face and he says, "Many things. We have already discussed it, but I don't think that is for public consumption."
The duo look like they have just emerged from their honeymoon and that has always been the pattern since they got married in the 40s. So many things have helped them to forge ahead, especially because they love and respect one another. In their 57 years' relationship, Mama tells you that the most important thing for her husband are receipts. "My husband likes receipts and I make sure I keep them for him. Sometimes, he would jokingly ask why I didn't ask the market women to give me receipts for what I bought and we would laugh over it."
This classic couple got married in the early forties. Her father was Akintola's godfather, while Akintola's father was her godfather. "We actually lived on the same street and were childhood friends before falling in love," she says, adding that initially, the two families rejected the idea of marriage between them.
Yet, the love-struck duo were determined to live together till death do them part. In 1947, Mrs Williams decided to join her spouse abroad. Cupid took over and wedding bells tolled. At the wedding ceremony, she recalls that "none of our parents came for the ceremony. We had 16 people in attendance. Out of the 16, only five were alive when we marked our 50th anniversary.
A graduate of the famous London Regent Polytechnic, Mrs. Williams proudly tells you that she actually made her wedding dress herself. "It was a blue suit and beret," she recalls with excitement. "I never saw the pictures of the event until recently. "
Having been married for almost six decades, Mrs. Williams says that to succeed in marriage, couples need to agree on several issues as the institution itself is based on agreement. "In my own case, we agreed on a number of things before we got married. The trouble today is that young couples just go into marriage without agreeing on basic issues."
One of the things they agreed on before getting married was the question of having relatives living with them. "We agreed that neither his family members nor mine would come to live with us. Otherwise, I won't return with him to Nigeria from England. So, when any family member of mine or his has a problem, we always agree to give them money."
A former teacher at Queens College, Lagos, Mrs Williams says materialism has taken over what used to be discipline in many homes. For example, she noted that most women no longer do their home work, like taking care of the husband and their children. "They forget that what they impart to their children will live with them forever."
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