Ajijola, a daughter to Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi has opened up on the kind of life her father leads as a public servant. See excerpts from her Punch newspaper interview:
What are you doing now?
I am a student of Woldingham School, Surrey, London. I am 17 years old. I left Nigeria when I was 10 years old. Before I left, I attended International Community School in Abuja and Ibadan International School, Iyaganku. Then I attended a preparatory school in England.
How would you describe your parents?
My parents are caring and loving and because I am the youngest, they give me much attention. It is always fun being around my father because he jokes a lot. We watch a lot of movie series together at home. He likes crime movie series which involve thorough police investigation. Every time I am at home, I sit down with him to watch movies at night. That is how he relaxes. I do not like going out, so I enjoy his company whenever he is at home.
How did he relate with his family before he became governor?
He created a lot of time for his children because he is a complete family man. We would go out driving around the estate almost every night. He taught me how to drive. He ensured that I enjoy his company every time.
Have you ever had any disagreements with him?
I had a major disagreement with him last year. He wanted me to read law but I preferred to study political science and international relations. I was not sure if I wanted to study law but he wanted me to do it. We had an argument over it and at the end, he said he would support me in whatever I chose to do. He is okay with me studying political science now.
How did you resolve the disagreement about your choice of career?
We sat down and talked about it. He wanted to know why I chose the course and I explained the reasons for my decision to him. I was able to convince him and he agreed with me. That was how we resolved it.
Did you choose the course because your parents are politicians?
I have seen the change that my father has been able to make in Oyo State and I want to be an instrument of change also. I want to be able to make Nigeria a better country by contributing to its transformation as my father is doing now.
Can you recall anytime he punished you?
None of my parents has ever beaten me because I listen to them and do what makes them happy at all times. I like spending time with them.
What is your plan for the future?
I want to be a politician. My highest ambition is to be Nigeria’s first female president. I am aware of the demands and qualities needed to reach my goal. My parents have taught me to be confident and to be strong in my beliefs. They taught me not to be influenced by other people. Most importantly, they taught me to be God-fearing. These are important qualities of a leader.
Do you think that politics has reduced the affection and care that your parents have for you?
I think normally, they now have lesser time to be with me but because they know that their jobs as governor and First Lady will not give them enough time, they go the extra mile to make sure that I do not miss out on anything. They still spend time with me.
How often do you speak with your parents when you are not in Nigeria?
I call my mother everyday but my father speaks with me at least five times in a week. I call to tell them what happens in school every day.
Apart from the disagreement over choice of career, was there any other quarrel between you and your parents?
I am their baby so they pamper me. We get along very well.
How does Governor Ajimobi relax at home?
He does not really have time to relax until late in the night. That is when we watch films together until around 3am. That is our bonding time.
Does your father help your mother with domestic work?
Well, he is not a good cook even though he pretends to be one. I do not really think my mother needs his help when it comes to domestic work. But they create time for bonding like going on a walk late in the night or driving around the estate in the night. My mother cuts my father’s nails but he does not do same for my mother.
What is his favourite food?
Dad likes pounded yam. He also prefers eating meat. He likes sausages and steak too. He used to sip champagne in the past but he has stopped.
What about you?
I do not really have a favourite food. I like pasta and I eat anything good.
What kind of a person is your mother?
She is an amazing woman; caring, selfless and loving. She is my best friend. She is always looking after the good of everyone around her.
Does being a daughter of the first family in Oyo State put a burden on you?
There is really nothing like that. I just see them as normal people. I do not think anything has changed in the house. I treat their status as normal. Their status does not reduce my freedom.
Do you miss anything from the time your father became a governor?
I left Nigeria for England at 10 and when I was here, I was not really going out. I did not stay in Nigeria enough to pick anything from the past. But since I grew up knowing my father as a senator and later a governor, I still do whatever I wish to do. I do not know if there is any difference between then and now.
How do your friends relate with you having realised you are a governor’s daughter?
I do not really tell people who my parents are. Some of my friends know who my parents are but it does not change anything. In England, we go out as children of normal parents. Nobody really cares about what one is.
Do they treat you specially?
I do not get any special respect from my friends. They do not behave in any way different to me. I choose my friends wisely. I make sure all my friends are on the same level. The status of my parents does not dictate who my friends should be. It does not matter who you are or what your parents are, once I like you, you become my friend. In four years’ time, my father will no longer be in government as a governor. My friends will always be my friends.
Did he increase your pocket money after he became a governor?
I do not really need to spend money and if I need to, my mother gives me what I need. She keeps all my money for me.
Would you say that your mother is a bit strict?
They are the same at home. I do not know if I should describe her as being strict. She is just a normal mother. I feel being pampered but not spoilt, it only shows that they love me. When I go wrong, they tell me not to exhibit such behaviour again. They want me to be the best at all times.
Who chooses what your father wears daily?
My mother does that at all time. I help him to choose what he wears once in a while when I am around. Today (Friday), I chose his tie. But my mother does that every day.
Do your parents encourage you to do domestic chores?
I cook noodles with chilli, rice, eba, pasta, vegetable soup and I can prepare pounded yam from poundo yam. I can bake cake also. My mother taught me all these. When she was teaching me, she said I would cook for my husband someday and my father sometimes.
Has your mother ever influenced your choice of friends?
As a good mother, she tells me what to do. I do not keep friends that she does not like. I have a few friends though. I have five friends in Nigeria and she likes all of them.
How do you feel each time they return to Nigeria after visiting you in school?
I always feel sad. I feel like returning home with them. I love Nigeria and I always want to come back. After my studies in England, I will like to return to Nigeria after a year holiday. I want to work in Nigeria and my ambition is to start in a law firm and from there, we shall see what the future holds for me. Right now, I study a bit of law. I do not want to study law as a first degree.
How about your siblings?
We get along very well. I see them every month and they also visit me in school. I am also their baby and they take good care of me.
Do they assist you in your study?
Yes, they do. If I do not understand a topic, they come to my aid. One of my sisters earned a degree in political science and she is also a lawyer. She understands what I am doing. She helps me a lot. She tells me what to do to excel in school.
How do you cope with seeing a lot of people in your home every day?
I do not mind because I love being around people. I love seeing them and it is exciting having them around. I like to speak to them because they help me rehearse my future. When eventually I am ready to do politics, I would not have to learn how to relate with people.
Have you ever seen your parents quarrel?
It does not happen often. They understand each other but as human beings, they could disagree and agree later. Their relationship is protected by the love they have for each other.
In the morning, they eat at the table but we do not eat at the same time. I do not eat early so what I do is to sit with them if I am awake by the time they are eating. My mother likes fresh fish and vegetable. She also likes oats and cereals.
Your mother has dual citizenship, Nigeria and Lebanon. How much of her Lebanese background do you know?
I have visited Lebanon to see her family. I was there last year and her family has also visited Nigeria. There is plenty of food to eat in Lebanon. They feed visitors very well.
Do you speak the language?
When I was in Nigeria, one of her cousins was teaching me Arabic language but when I moved to England, I forgot about it. My other siblings visit Lebanon more than I do. When I finish my study, I could spend some time there.
When your father was reelected, how did the family celebrate?
We were all at home. We hugged one another and danced to good music. We had food, drink and cake to celebrate. I congratulated him specially. I want him to rest more now because he works too hard. I want my mother to also rest more. She is the first lady and the work is huge. She needs to rest. My father is strong and I have only seen him fall sick once.
How do your parents keep fit?
My father has a treadmill and he walks a lot at night but not a rigorous exercise. My mother used to jog every morning at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium but now, she uses the treadmill with my father once in a while. A trainer also visits to take her through aerobics.
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