The mother in Israel, Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu is 70! We shall breach all protocols!
Today 20th July is special. Because on this day, 70years ago, a leader was born in Emeabiam, Owerri west local government area of Imo state. I am sure late mama Dora Anyanwu will be full of joy seeing her baby.
Arrival of the baby might have took all her pains away. And am sure people of the town would have rally round to rejoice with her.
Unknowingly to the good people of Emeabiam, Betty will cross a hurdle that will amaze them. Her journey through primary to secondary and lastly tertiary is another milestone (Special thanks to her late parents) because in those days young girls only wait for suitors immediately they attain the age of marriage.
But young betty proceeded to the prestigious university of Nigeria, Nsukka to pursue a career in agriculture. After graduation, She proceeded to serve her father’s land in the one year mandatory National youth service corps (NYSC) and then the journey that took her across the river niger bridge began.
She met a young Rotimi Akeredolu, A Yoruba man from the southwest region and they became friends. Arabinrin as fondly called will tell you that she always enjoy accompanying him to the lawn tennis court and watch him play! And this young Betty whom a large number of well to do Igbo suitors were waiting for had fallen in love with Rotimi who could only take her out to watch him play tennis unlike the waiting suitors who might have luxury to gift her.
I imagine the battle she might have fought when she broke the news to her parents that she has decided to mary Rotimi a young school graduate that has no business address as at then unlike the ibo men waiting at her corridor.
Eventually she fulfilled her heart desire and got married to Rotimi. And God blessed them with children, she stood firmly with her husband and watch him rose to the pinnacle of his career right from being the chairman NBA Ibadan branch and later he became the national President of the Nigerian bar association.
She fought a life threatening and deadly disease “Cancer” and she survived! Today she’s the first lady of Ondo state because the man she decided to marry that year is now the Executive governor of Ondo state.
Betty was also a retired Director in the federal ministry of Agric.
As first lady, She has raised the bar for women in Ondo State. She has ensured that women get their rightful share of political patronage. Despite attacks from her detractors she remain focused and we all can see that she has achieved tremendous result in that regard here in Ondo state and her home state Imo where recently governor Uzodinma dropped his deputy and chose a woman as running mate in the forthcoming guber election in the state.
Our young girls in Ondo state were not left out.
Through her yearly “Bemore summer boot camp initiative” young ondo girls were trained in solar panel installation, painting and how to effectively use computer. Many of the girls has enjoyed scholarship from well meaning Nigerians who saw what the first lady is doing and decided to key into it.
I remembered that one of the girls travelled out of the country to compete with other selected girls across the world and she did brilliantly well.
As for the youths, Arabinrin has ensured that gone are the days when old men takes what rightfully belongs to the original youth. Arabinrin is also very prominent on social media. She’s open for engagements and conversations irrespective of who you are or your background she will respond appropriately. She has broaden the activities of the office of the first lady and in the Sunshine state of today gone are those days when wife of the governor is confined to the other room.
She has used the office to lobby when necessary and support less privileged women through her “Solayo programme for pregnant women. We all can recall that her palliative package during the lock down was adjudged the best approach across the country because the items were worth it and it got to the original people that deserved it.
My testimony is that she has always won her battles. Just like the biblical esther, She will break protocols when necessary to attend to the need of an ordinary person. And she doesn’t mind your tribe or the child of who you are. She just will do all that is needed to help.
My conclusion is that Her excellency, Chief (Mrs) Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, Ada Owere 1, Ada Emeabiam ii, Ada di oha mma, Mama solayo, Mama Bemore, Mama FOWOSO who I have benefited immensely from is the mother in Israel of Ondo state and we shall break all protocols to celebrate our revered mother who has climbed the 7 floor today.
As the crown Prince of Akure kingdom, If I am lucky to sit on the throne of my forefathers in the future, I will honour her with the prestigious title of “eye Oba Akure” meaning mother of the king of Akure.
On this special day I wish my political mother, my benefactor and my leader happy 70th birthday celebration and I wish her long life in good health and peace of mind.
Dapo Adepoju Sam
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