The Suleiman Oba clan of the Olola Family of Ajikobi and friends have celebrated a beautiful queen and their adorable and sociable matriarch, Hajia Nimota Aduke Suleiman, who turned 70.
A human resources manager and MD/CEO of NASAT & SONS LTD, Hajia Nimota is a detribalized Nigerian, who is well-travelled and has friends from across the country.
The celebrant is proudly celebrated by her seven biological children, 19 grandchildren and countless adopted children who mounted the podium in turn to eulogize the septuagenarian woman of substance.
Political analyst and tech expert, Mr Tunji Suleiman, Hajia Aduke’s first son, demonstrated how his mother, Hajia Suleiman, serves as a mother to many adopted children from her extended family and unrelated others.
According to him, the celebrant is not Mummy to her biological children only, but to many adopted others, “some of whom she sponsored through schools from primary through secondary to higher institutions, and some of whom were also at the event to show appreciation, celebrate with Mummy and share in her joy of attaining the blessed age of a septuagenarian”.
The celebrant’s husband of 52 years is the Honorable Alhaji Suleiman Oba Olola, a retired administrator, civil servant and politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives in the defunct Nigerian Third Republic.
In an interview with newsmen at the occasion, Hajia Nimota hailed her mother for her success in the journey of life and advised the younger generation to be diligent and persevere in their dealings. She recalled how she was brought up by parents who never differentiated family members from others.
According to the celebrant, “I was trained by a mother who had the fear of God in and who treated all people nicely and equally. My parent taught me to believe in integrity, sincerity, and prayer and to work hard.
“This I obeyed and held tenaciously till date. I am delighted to have imparted these values to many younger ones, including my children and others. And I thank God for the lives of people I’m blessed with as all of them are doing well”.
Asked how she sustained her marriage for over 52 years, Hajia Nimota advised young couples to be prayerful and to tolerate each other as the only solution to a collapsing marriage is endurance and tolerance.
She said, “The younger Nigerians should be mindful of their lifestyles, watch their tongues and follow the path of peace and tolerance”.