So, from journalism to “Babalawo”?
I am the modern University trained “Iyaalawo”!
Why herbal medicine?
I have always been passionate about herbal medicine. We have enough herbs, plants and leaves that we can use to heal or manage most diseases but we don’t appreciate them at all. I studied like a doctor. I had to go through all, anatomy, physiology, and all the pathologies, I learnt about orthodox medicine; I learnt about herbs, I learnt about herb- drug interaction, and I also learnt about the implications of lifestyle choices. It is a whole holistic approach.
How do you apply what you have learnt to Nigerian situation considering the fact that the plants that were used to teach you herbal medicine are different from the plants in Nigeria?
We have many similar plants. The difference might just be in the area of the active constituents, may be higher or lower. I recommend herbs for chronic diseases. It is quite unfortunate that we don’t value those herbs here and it is a shame. We don’t appreciate what we have. We are so rich here.
What have you been able to do since you came?
I have been trying to start my own practice. I have got a line of products for diabetes, malaria, prostrate problems, high blood pressure, fibroids, detoxifying the internal organs, candida, herbal antibiotics, cancer and other ailments for my clients.
What are the remarkable things in your life?
My wedding day and every single time I had my children, when I lost my mother and father, when my son won a singing contest at Jesus House in London, and when my daughters secured admissions to Harvard and Lafayette universities in America.
What kind of culture do you want your children to have?
The value of greeting, what makes us tick as a Yoruba tribe, and the importance of morals. I teach them to always make an impact wherever they are. Unfortunately, we are losing those values. People are stuck to their iPad, iphone, blackberry and things like that. We are no longer talking to ourselves anymore. Anybody that has lost all those values doesn’t have good role models. We now celebrate mediocrity, and the nation’s treasury looters. We need to get back to our roots and be proud of our culture. Once you have lost your language, you have lost everything. You can’t express your tradition without your language. Parents are guilty of this. Raising your children abroad doesn’t mean that they shouldn’t be able to speak in your mother tongue. If you want to take over a nation, remove their culture, remove their language and their religion and they will become empty. Nigeria is very empty. We need to revert to our culture.
Who is your role model?
My father was. I was closer to him than my mom. He embodied all the values I have mentioned. He was an educationist, culture enhancing person, traditionalist, very nice, highly disciplined and a Yoruba man to the core.
What are the challenges that you think our educational system is facing?
Poor funding, simple.
What is your best food?
Ikokore. It is my comfort food. I will eat ikokore today.
What are your Hobbies?
I like playing badminton, tennis, basketball, walking as well as playing board games like Monopoly, Ludo, Scrabble, and a very old game called Scruples.
Any regret in life?
I just wish my mom had lived longer
What is your happiest moment?
When I gave birth to my first son. I was so happy because I would become responsible for this tiny person!
What is your saddest moment?
When my father died.
What is your message to your fellow women?
Serve your home first, look after your husband, serve yourself, and look after the society.
How best do you think you can live your life now?
I want to devote myself to service to humanity and educate people about herbs.
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