Madam Racheal Jolaade Osho, a widow said to be 110 years old, had lost her three children and was living in abject poverty in a ramshackle house in Ikere-Ekiti when luck smiled on her. Ekiti State Governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi, took over the responsibility of sheltering, feeding and clothing the old woman, who tells ABIODUN NEJO that she found happiness through the First Lady
When were you born?
I am over 110 years old. I am a princess of Ikere kingdom, from Apelua Compound. I live in Okeruku in Ikere Ekiti.
Who was your father?
My father was Osho.
How many children did he have?
We were six. But only two of us are alive today. We have many grandchildren today.
Did you go to school?
No, I did not go to school. As a princess, the feeling then was that unworthy people would have the opportunity to have access to you and perhaps beat you unnecessarily.
What trade or vocation was popular then?
People were weavers. I ventured into weaving as well. I still have some traditional ‘Aso-Ofi’ that I personally weaved. They are with me here.
What trade did you originally learn?
I learnt to sew clothes. It was my husband who introduced me to sewing. But when there was nobody to buy a sewing machine for me, I had to abandon the profession and shift to weaving, which was less expensive. I was popular as a weaver. It was the whites and some popular people in society who were my customers. The government workers then also bought from me.
What was your childhood ambition?
I had always thought of living long. Even at this age, I know I will not die now. I will live longer than this. My mother lived very long.
What was your growing up like?
When I was young, I suffered a lot. I hawked palm wine; I hewed and sold wood.
How did you meet your husband?
I was a popular weaver to the extent that people thought it was a white man that would marry me. But the person I married was an enlightened man. But when it was time for him to buy a sewing machine for me, he said he didn’t have the money. When I realised that he was not ready to shoulder the responsibilities, we separated. I was on my own for about 10 years.
While you were young, did it ever occur to you that you would be popular in your old age?
No, I never thought of that. But before now, my prayer for myself every day was that I would one day survive the hardship and turbulence that I was passing through and that I would survive so that my greatness would be restored. When I prayed that way, some people would mock me, saying: “What is this old woman saying?”
What happened to your children?
I had three children – two males and a female. The female was very intelligent; she spoke English like a white man. People were fond of her, saying there was no one like her in the town then. One of the two boys was brought up by the then Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adegboye Akayejo, while my second son was brought up by Adegoriola. But suddenly, through the machinations of an evil one in our family, the three children died. Since then, I have been childless.
How did you cope with the loss of the three children?
I lost all sense of fashion and sociability. I must tell you, I have many fashionable and quality clothes, but I’ve not worn any of them since my children died many years back. It was the year Akayejo was enthroned that the evil man struck. Akayejo appealed to me to pull myself together, that God could still do the unexpected in my life. Some people said I could still be a mother. There were interventions so that I could get over the situation. Gradually, I picked up and began trading in cocoyam. I was feeding on the business as well. But somehow, the wish of having a child again became a pipe dream. It was Esther (niece) that stood in the gap, asking me to see her as my daughter.
How did you meet the governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi?
I did not know her; it was providence that brought us together. I was pleasantly surprised at the whole development.
What is the secret of your long life?
God is the secret of longevity. It is God. There is no medicine for that whether you are rich or poor; it is God that has control over your life. But as a person, meekness has been part of me and that was the way I responded to all the insults and assaults I received as a result of my pitiable and horrible situation when I was in my father’s house. Somebody once said he would have hacked me to death if not that he was afraid of the government and the law. But I took everything with equanimity. The person felt there was nothing I was doing in life again after losing all my children and living in misery.
What advice do you have for people of this generation on how to live long?
The behaviour of this generation of youths leaves much to be desired. They must be of good conduct. They must seek good health, wellness and long life for their parents. They should refrain from mocking old people. Respect for old age is important. They must be kind to old people and the needy; they must try to meet their needs. Long life is a curse to those who misspend life.
Who were your friends while growing up?
I can’t remember their names, but I don’t see them again. Perhaps all of them are dead now.
What would you describe as your happiest moment in life?
My happiest moment in life is now. I’m happy with my condition now. Since my children died, I had not put on good clothes (until now). I have never been as happy as this since I was born. For the wife of the governor to visit me is remarkable. And not only did she visit me, but she also sat here and I put my head on her laps. She embraced me, hugged me, and put her arm around my neck. I was amazed. I thank her. I thank God for the rare privilege. This is my happiest moment ever. See, I now wear good clothes and people now count me worthy and come to visit me.
Have you thought of visiting her to thank her?
How I wish I could reciprocate her gesture. How I wish I could buy chicken eggs to present to the governor’s wife as my gift to appreciate her. When she came here and told me she was Governor Kayode Fayemi’s wife, I said I would kneel before her, but she said no. She said she would be the one to kneel before me. She said that she would do whatever I wanted for me. She is an angel that nobody should speak ill about. Nobody should speak ill of her.
What do you still want from life?
What I want now is an adopted child as a second child like Esther, who has taken time to be there for me. She is like a child to me. This is my present wish so that people will say I am the mother of this child. And when I eventually grow to the point when I leave to join my ancestors, there should be someone to take care of the child; the child should not suffer.
What is your favourite food?
I eat pounded yam a lot, and I like plantain flour ( elubo ogede ).
How were you feeding before Mrs Fayemi came to your aid?
It has been God, Ogoga and Esther.
The Punch
