Categories: Everything Women

Married women must always be patient—Madam Atinuke Shittu

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3 months ago

Mrs Towobola Atinuke Shittu, who recently clocked 90 years, speaks with NURUDEEN ALIMI, on her journey as an accomplished school teacher and fabric merchant as well as what women should do to have peaceful homes.

What influenced your career choice as a teacher?

All of our mates at that time went for Nursing, I chose to be a teacher because it was something I have loved to become since I was a young girl and I am so happy I did.

Can you mention those schools you worked as a teacher?

I worked as a teacher at ICC Secondary Modern School at Oritamefa, Ibadan, I can’t really recollect other ones at the moment.

Why did you leave teaching for Commerce?

Aside the fact that I love to be a teacher; I also have passion for being a businesswoman. This led me to venturing into the sale of fabrics. I do travel to countries such as Austria, Switzerland among others to buy clothes and bring them to sell at Gbagi market. I did that for many years before old age stopped me from moving around like used to.

How would you describe your experience in the business world back then?

It was adventurous and at the same time profitable. I was making a lot of profit and enjoying those trips outside Nigeria. So, for me, it was a combination of having fun and making money.

How would you rate the Nigerian economy when you were in the business world compared to now?

Things have really changed. Back then, to book a flight to Austria or Switzerland was not as difficult as it is now. I wonder how those who are still in business cope now. I hope and pray that things change for the better in Nigeria.

What advice do you have for younger women of nowadays?

My advice for women is that they must always be patient, particularly those who are already married. Men are not the same, when I got married; my husband works at the University of Ibadan. Some of my friends got married to politicians, some got married to teachers. We all understood the financial status of our husbands, so we were coping with it differently. We shared experience among ourselves and gave advice when necessary. So, my advice to women is to always ensure they act in ways that peace will reign in their homes at all time.

You clocked 90 years few days ago, how does it feel to be 90?

It has been an eventful one. I have been enjoying my life since I was in primary school with my friends, although some of them have died, but I thank God for keeping alive to witness my 90th birth anniversary. I never expected I will still be alive at 90, because of the kind of job that I have done. I travelled a lot, being on a plane on a regular basis was not easy at all. I am still surprised that God kept me up till this moment; although, I enjoyed those years of travelling around but it was also stressful. We did not really feel the stress at that time because we were making money. At that time when I return from my trip abroad, customers will be waiting for me to buy the goods that I brought, so, the money I was making did not make me feel the stress.

Is there anything you do that is responsible for your longevity?

When I was younger, I was not a big eater. I do not eat much and that has been my guiding principle up till this moment. Now, I only eat breakfast and lunch, because I have lost appetite for having dinner. At that time, when we were at the shop, the heavy presence of customers made me forget to eat, there are times that for a whole day, I will eat only bread.