Mrs Yemisi Wada who recently clocked 50 and has also been
the talk of the town because of her beautiful figure at 50, has revealed to
Nonye Ben-Nwankwo how her marriage to former minister of aviation, Femi
Fani-Kayode was orchestrated, and how she had two babies and left his house
with one more pregnancy in less then three years making their children three altogether. She also spoke
about her new love, Mr Dahiru Wada and how they met in London. One of her
children to FFK will be getting married in July and Mrs Yemisi is too excited
about it. If FFK would be there is something she did not mention. The interview below...
How do you feel
having a daughter who is getting married?
I am ecstatic. My daughter is getting married in July by the
Grace of God. I got married at 24 and I am reaping the benefits as I have had
the opportunity to grow up with my girls. I feel it has made us closer. I am
happy because people are different and in her case, she is mature enough to
take up that role. She has also found a good man by the grace of God from good
stock and surely that must be every mother’s prayer.
Why did you choose to study law?
My father was a lawyer but that was not my motivation. It
was the courtroom drama I used to watch on television and the whole wig and
gown that attracted me. My father worked for the Lagos State Ministry of
Justice. He was State Prosecutor at some stage and in those days, if I was home
and he was trying any interesting case like the ‘Iyabo Olounkoya’ drug case, my
mum and I would go and watch.
Your parents must have been very comfortable for them to
send you to study in the UK.
To be honest back then, our economy was okay. The year I
went abroad to school was when the Naira became N3-1 pound. Life was easier. My
father came from quite a wealthy family and he inherited property but didn’t
really like the idea of receiving income from them. He used to go out of his
way to tell us he would not leave any property in his will and that we should
work for our own money. He had property in Ikorodu and Ogba, which some
companies were renting. My mother left work when I was still young and till
today she’s a very successful business woman. So between them, we got by.
Would you still remember those days you used to work in your
ex father-in-law’s law firm?
I actually never worked in Chief Fani-Kayode’s Law firm.
When I got married straight after Law School, my father wanted me to work.
After my youth service when it seemed my then husband didn’t want me to work,
my father threatened to pull me out of the marriage. Chief had some election
petition cases in Kano, so he drafted me into his team to work on them and
later the appeals in Kaduna. That was how I met Mr. Raji Ahmed who was in the
team as well and we later set up a law office together, along with Mr. Robert
Emukpoeruo. Working on those cases were the best times I had at the time. That
was also the first salary I earned as a lawyer.
Why did you even quit practising?
Law is a long-term earner. At the time, being a single
mother with three children and wanting to give them the best like I had as a
child, I could not afford to stay in practice. Besides, I needed to be the boss
of my own time to be available for my children when I was needed.
What inspired you to establish Haven for Nigerian Children?
Seeing that there were children living on the streets and I
was going up and down cuddling mine made me sit up and think. I decided to do
something about it and pray my own children if they were ever in need, would
meet a helper. I have often wondered if this is a selfish notion. If it is,
well I am not a saint and that’s my Achilles heel. At least, it has created a
passion and I intend to keep running Haven as long as God grants me life.
Why are you so passionate about the street kids?
I’m passionate about rendering assistance in any way. I
counsel very well. Nothing gives me more joy than knowing whoever meets me or
comes into my life in any way gains something from my experiences. That’s where
I derive my joy.
How is life being Mrs. Dahiru Wada?
It’s very interesting. My father in-law loves me very much
and my husband has many brothers who are like him, very loving. So you’re
living in an atmosphere of love. It’s a very nice feeling. The best description
of my husband is that he is a gentleman’s gentleman. He is also very cultured
and well travelled. He loves good food and travelling. He is very well read and
extensively knowledgeable in all things. He is very generous and for us kind
almost to a fault.
You reportedly said your husband doesn’t like partying and dancing
but these are things you love doing. So how do you manage this?
If I want to party and dance, he is not in my way. We
understand each other perfectly. Many times, you will see us at parties and
before long, you will not see him because he would have left quietly. Having
said that, my husband observes more at that same party and when we analyse the
proceedings after, I would be amazed. Seriously we complement each other
nicely.
Can you tell us about growing up?
Growing up for me was awesome. We lived in GRA Ikeja, we
walked and cycled about in clean and safe environment by ourselves. Most of our
activities were centred on the home and the street. We climbed trees, raised
dogs, rode bicycles. It was bliss.
What fond memories do you have when you were still growing
up?
I have several. The best was how my paternal grandmother
‘Iya Alaje’ would come and stay with us when our parents travelled. She was
very wealthy but not literate and she loved a good life. She would ask us what
we would normally eat and my brother, Bayo and I would lie that we didn’t eat
pepper. That would mean no eba and amala. She would take us to Kingsway Stores
and buy us ham and all the nice things for sandwiches. The funny thing though
was only Bayo had a palate for those things. I preferred my eba, so why I went
along with it still baffles me. I guess it was the thrill of getting away with
such nonsense.
As a young girl, if anybody had told you your marriage would
break up, would you have believed it?
No, I would not have. That is why even after three children,
I knew I would remarry. I don’t know if it is that love of being a wife or to
run a home. Whichever, I love being married.
Can you still remember those days you were with your
ex-husband, Femi Fani-Kayode?
I have no fond memories of then except having my daughters,
as I am sure he would say same if asked. What people do not seem to realise is
that we were together for only a very short while. The marriage itself lasted
less than three years. The fact that I have three daughters makes it seem
longer but I left just when I was pregnant with my youngest daughter.
Did you decide to marry him because his family was
influential?
I don’t know what that means because I grew up in a home
where I had all I wanted. There was nothing I got there that I didn’t have
before. Actually I had more at home.
What was the attraction back then?
It was a long time ago but I think at the time, all the men
I knew were clubbing like I was but he was already serious in politics. He was
a national youth leader of his party and the proposal was very direct as he
said, ‘I am in politics and I need a homemaker.’
Since the marriage produced beautiful kids, would you ever
say you regret it?
No way. In fact, I always say if I came back in another
life, I would do it again to have these same beautiful and dramatically
intelligent daughters. I would just have a better exit plan.
How did you meet Mr. Wada?
Dahiru and I met at a party in London. It’s funny how we
met. I thought he was someone else and planned to tease him but his incredible
wit got the better of me and in the end, the joke was on me. He actually
insinuated that I was a airhead!
What do you love about him?
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