Bar Beach to put our legs in the water. You know we are surrounded with water in Lagos but we were all afraid of swimming. That’s how it started.

Eventually, he had to go to Birnin Kebbi. He said I was going to be his wife, whether I liked it or not. That’s how it started.

The thing is, after all that, when he left for Birnin Kebbi, I couldn’t sleep. I was irritated, I was crying. Anything you said annoyed me.

My sister-in-law asked: “What’s the matter with you?” I told her and she said I was in love. Apparently, as I was feeling here, he was doing that there. After about a year, he started giving excuses and saying he was going to resign and go back to England. My brother was furious, especially with all that wahala with the foreign office. He pleaded with him to be patient, but my husband didn’t listen. He resigned and came back to Lagos.

When he came back to me, he said, “Funke, I want to marry you; you are my wife.” I said, “You can’t do that.” Well, we discussed. At that time, guys were more respectful; you dared not do anything without your parents or guardian.

Mama Bisi and my brother knew about it. I said I could not marry him because I didn’t know how he would treat me; and he is not Yoruba.

He is from Delta?

I had that mentality that he was not Yoruba and could not marry him. Anyway, I said he could not marry me because in Nigeria, we had to know our parents. He said he was ready, so he went to Abeokuta, my mother’s side. He went to our village, Odeda. He went round, meeting all these people. We were there for about a week. Eventually, he left, but before he left, we had this thing they call introduction to the family.

Engagement?

Not engagement; we met the family. In Lagos here, we did a small in-house, where he met my people. He was loved by everybody.

I don’t know what happened, but anywhere he was, they knew Uncle Steddy. He used to kiss everybody, especially women, and hugged them. Anyway, that’s how I got to know Steddy Arthur- Worey and we got married.

After the introduction, did he invite you to go with him to England?

He arranged everything with my mother-in-law, Mrs Solanke. She was the one running it with the husband, Pa Solanke.

They were other parents of Steddy in England. After H.O. Davis left, they handed him over to Mrs Solanke and he was there with her.

We went back in preparation for my arrival, teaching me how to behave in England. Mrs Solanke took over; and that’s how it started. So I had never been alone; they were there to guide and help me. I have been a very lucky woman.

Did you go to school or you just settled as a wife when you went to England?

 I went to school. Yes. What’s the name of the place now, where we had typing? Everything was in Broad Street; I went there to do typing. That’s why when I left, I was working as a secretary in about two companies. Meanwhile, I was very interested in fashion. In the end, I got a machine to sew for myself. I eventually went to the Paris School of Fashion.

It was useful here when we came back. We were at Yaba and all the young girls and wives used to make blouses. It was the fashion to have blouses on top of wrapper. I was very happy making blouses for them – beautiful ones. They were happy with me. We used to enjoy ourselves. That’s how it started.

How long were you in England?

I went there in 1950 and came back in 1960.

Did you come back with the whole family?

The whole family. By that time, I had two children. And my husband came back because he knew that he was going to get a job at the Federal Ministry of Justice, because Chief Amakree had promised him. He used to call him and say he should come back to Nigeria. He read Law, so he would tell him to come back and join him. He assured him that he would do well because we were very comfortable. Anyway, he persuaded him and we came back in 1960.

Luckily for us, we were here when we celebrated our independence. All the activities were fantastic. And Nigeria was beautiful. We used to travel round to Jos, Kaduna and Port Harcourt. And we didn’t know anybody. We just stopped in case we wanted to ask something. And they looked after you.

When did you veer from fashion business to humanitarian work?

When I came back, I worked in ESO Oil Company. From there, I went to Ivan and Boner in Ibadan for 10 years. It was a law firm at Customs Street.

I also worked for about three years in Tate and Lye.

Big companies.

At that time, the money was better and there were plenty jobs, such that you could bluff. I eventually settled with Ivan and Boner. It was a beautiful decision I will never forget.

Was your husband working in the law firm?

All along, he was working in the Federal Ministry of Justice. He never changed.

Suddenly, my cousin, the late Lady Ayo Alakija invited me to join their club in Lagos, known as Ladies’ Dining Club.

She explained that they usually had meeting dinners at the old Ikoyi Hotel once a month. She said I should just come as her guest, and I said okay.

Did you just meet to eat and drink?

Just to dine, then take money. We levied ourselves, but voluntarily. Some people gave a lot. They were doing the anniversary at an old people’s home in Yaba or Regina Mundy at Mushin. Regina Mundy was a Catholic. We used to go there, dance, celebrate with them and give them the little we had.

That’s how it all started. My husband was a legal adviser to Ministry of Defence and we used to travel round to all the places. All the ship houses used to ask him for advice – something to do with the government. They would invite us to go and dine in the ship and all that.

One of them who was very fond of my husband said, “Steddy, come and join us.” He lived at Apapa.  It was called Lions Club. It was Chief Akintola Williams that brought it to Nigeria from America. It was new.

He said he would try. Eventually, he became the governor of Lions Club. I used that opportunity to travel round. When he was the legal adviser was when I travelled round with him, especially to Kaduna and Kano. We met Ojukwu and all those people. I enjoyed myself.

I was working and he was working. My niece, Titi Ogunmola, and Bisi, my cousin, used to go to all the Asian countries we never heard of; sometimes they would say Taiwan and sometimes, Korea or Saudi Arabia. They would go there and buy goodies. They had so many beautiful things like jewellery; things that were very unusual. They used to bring a lot of things. One of them used to bring famous children’s toys like Fisher Price – a lot of them.

When the thing came to Balogun market, I would be there to receive it and make sure that whatever they said they delivered was correct. That’s how it started. In the end, I resigned because I was making enough money than what I was earning.

From trading?

That’s why I became a trader at the same Balogun market. My shop was called Blue Gate. They are all gone now, but I still see their grandchildren and all that. Some of them were here when I celebrated my birthday

So the fact that your husband was in the Lions Club was what made you go there?

Of course, once you are a lion, your wife is a lioness. Eventually, I became the president. After that was the International Women’s Society, where you were with foreigners. Because it was international, we had all the nationalities there – from Ghana to Europe and all that. It is still very strong in Lagos. I became the secretary. And I did all sorts of things as a chairperson. I tried my best and was happy doing it.

Why did you get involved with the lionesses and all the charity activities? What was your motivation?

I don’t know. When I look back, it is a wonder to me too. We used to go to all the shops and businesses in Broad Street, all the way to Apapa.

With all the foreigners, Apapa was booming with businesses and shipping. We used to go there and source for funds. And we would go to the banks. Three or four of us would go there and

talk to them to help us do this and do that. And God was wonderful. We did so much for Nigeria at that time, especially international women and lions.

What did you do with the funds when you got it?

We gave scholarships, for instance. We had a school at Yaba. Our headquarters was at Broad Street; we called it Skills Acquisition Centre.

For years, we trained many students in dressmaking, hairdressing and all that. We made life better for people. It was wonderful. It was a pleasure.

Are you still active in charity work?

Well, if you were here on my birthday, you would notice that they were all here. They will not leave me alone; and I am happy. They are like a family. They are like my children. Of course I am the oldest. They gave me gifts.

Is that the West African Women Association?

Yeah

Do you still go to meetings?

I go occasionally; they don’t bother me. We always have our annual get-together after working very hard. We have a day to enjoy and I go there.

The Lions or which of the associations?

The International Women. The Lions don’t even bother me. I actually worked in the past. I have done everything, so they say, “Mummy relax.” That’s my life.

Out of all the humanitarian works you have done over the years, what are you most proud of? What do you remember?

I am happy that when COVID came, for example, a lot of old people couldn’t go out because they frightened us, saying that if we went out we were likely to get it, but we still managed to go and see them.

So you still helped during COVID?

We helped around.

And you never got COVID yourself?

No. I am fortunate. We never got it. We don’t want to talk about it again, but that thing scattered the world.

Sometimes I am surprised when I think. The Almighty God is wonderful. I wonder where I got the energy because we went from one place to another and were happy. We had a lot of beggars. You would see a mother carrying a child and know that the man was suffering because there was no food. He didn’t even have to ask you before you would give something. That’s me.

But Nigeria is a blessed country. God loves Nigeria; it is a beautiful country. Anytime I travel, I don’t like their weather.

Where do you go?

London is my favourite even though I have travelled round. We have a strong family there. And they would say, “Grandma, why are you going back?” But I will reply, “Tell your parents to bring you to Nigeria.” They haven’t been to Nigeria.

These are your children?

My grandchildren; I have a lot of children in England. I said they had to come to Nigeria to see me if they wanted. I told them that I could not stay there because since I got there, I had been in a sweater. “Look at fire by my side and you want me to stay? I can’t do that,” I told them.

How much has your life changed since you lost your husband?

He was God-sent. He was a miracle because this was a man that grew up in England, educated in England but came all the way to Nigeria to pick me.

God will continue to bless Mama Bisi. She was the one who encouraged it.

How many years were you married to him?

Over 50 years.

So how much has your life changed since he is no more there?

To tell you the truth, when he died 13 years ago, I thought I was going to die because he was everything – all the plans, anything you were doing. He looked after me and made me comfortable.

He also looked after the children. Suddenly, he was ill, and like a joke, he died. I thought I was not going to live because it was too awful for me. But I am here today. I will never forget him. He was a good man and a good Christian.

What do you do now?

Well, I am very restless; ask the children. I must have something to do. In those days I used to do gardening a lot myself. And I am very fascinated going to our market.

You still go to market?

I go to market, especially the Sangros; I have known them for years. I stay in the car; it is an open market.

I must say that our women are the most courageous and hardworking in the world. I get into the car and go round.

They take you around?

I go round in the car with them. And I see women bringing rice and beans for us and workers to buy at 5 o’clock (in the morning). You can imagine what time they got up to prepare that.

I used to go to Epe, just for fun. I would drive to Epe and enjoy myself. One woman used to sell akara there and we would stop and buy and eat it in the car. And we would see our women.

Why can’t we recognise our women in Nigeria? They need to recognise our women because they are wonderful and brilliant. If they dare, one day we are going to have a female president and we will see how things are going to work because Nigerian women are great. I am proud to be a Nigerian woman.

What do you think the government is not doing to support these women you are talking about?

I don’t know. Maybe because it has been like that – your duty as a woman is to have babies. But that has changed. In a way, it is better now because when you go to the banks, hospitals or all these commercial houses, you will see our women. They occupy different positions. And they are smartly dressed and speak good English.

But can’t we have more women in our political life? We should have more women in the Senate and House of Representatives and if they are not standing well, I will get rid of them. We need more power for women.

Have you ever tried being in politics yourself?

No. I have never been interested.

Why?

My brother, H.O. Davis was there. My father was a politician in those days because they were the followers of Herbert Macualay and Eric Moore. They were their group.

But I have never been interested because once you are a politician, your life is no more yours and your privacy is finished. They can come at any time and abuse you. If you dare make a mistake, they would finish you.

So what do you do now that you are not active?

Well, I wake up and first of all, I am hooked with the radio. I am a radio woman. In the morning, I must have the prayer, the news and the current affairs.

What about television?

It is radio in the morning. Of course, the television is there and everybody is hooked to it because we don’t have anywhere to go now with all this spate of insecurity. Thank God for the television; if there is light, I do that.

 I used to swim a lot, but there is the wahala of water and all that. But once you are a swimmer, you don’t forget. If I get to where water is now, I will swim.

Everybody used to come here and swim. We would have barbecue and all that to enjoy our lives. My husband was one of those that loved people. When you were happy he was very happy; and he enjoyed that. He was a collector of all these things.

All the art works I see?

Yes. He was like that.

Besides swimming, what other exercise do you do?

I used to exercise, especially in England. We used to call it Total, in which you would fast with fruits and water. You won’t have anything other than fruits and water – different types.

And I used to go for a walk. That’s another thing my husband loved, with his dogs. He would go to Bar Beach from here. When they were building Eko Hotel, he used to go there, just to have fun and see the way they were doing it

The children also encouraged us to do all the sports. We used to follow them up. Now, you can see that I sweep. I wake them up. I am active. And health-wise, I have been good. Not that it is 100 per cent,

but I have been very good.

What about food? Do you restrict yourself?

It gets on my nerves when I go out and they dish or I collect some food and some young woman would ask: “Mummy you still eat meat?” I never interfere with what you do, so what is your business with what I am eating, as long as I am enjoying it?

So you eat red meat up till now?

Goat meat is my favourite.

Up till now?

Yes. And I have Guinea fowl. At Obalende, I am one of their favourite customers. I love it; and you know we have so much in Nigeria.

After the death of your husband, has life changed for you economically? You are in a beautiful house in Victoria Island.

He was one of those who believed in saving. He would force you to save, even if you had N10. He knew how to manage. And he believed in investment. He made everything comfortable for me. I don’t have any problem with anybody. So I thank God that I am comfortable.

How many children do you have?

I had two. Unfortunately, I lost one. I was in England for one year on a special course when I lost her. She was a brilliant and loving girl like her father

Here in Nigeria. I had left for about two months when they called me. It was strange. The cloth I wore and went for shopping or so was what I put on to come to Nigeria because they said I had to come immediately.

It was when we got to Lagos that I was thinking that something may have happened to Steddy. It was when we were coming from Ikeja in the car that they told me that Deola had gone. I asked: ‘Gone where?’ They said she had an accident with the Israeli ambassador. We were very close. They took them out in the boat at Bar beach and the children were swimming – all of them – but she was the one that was swept away in a sudden tide.

I was surprised because she was a strong swimmer with her father. At the age of one, the father used to throw them in the water at Takwa Bay because we had Charlie there. He used to go there every weekend with his friends. Now, I have Fola, and he has got three boys.

Are you surprised that you have reached the age of 98?

Honestly, that’s the biggest surprise of my life. I thanked God when I was 70, with all the family struggles. I was talking to my God and asked: ‘What else do I need?’

I said that 70 years were enough, but I got to 80, then 90, and now, 98. My life is in the hands of God. My God has been good to me. I am the luckiest woman in the world to meet people of different types. They phone me from everywhere – America and all – just to congratulate me at 98. And I have the opportunity to talk to brain and beauty Nigerian journalists like you.

So you are not tired of life?

I am not tired of life.

You can go on to 110 and more years?

Don’t you dare say that!

I didn’t want to stop at 100 because it is very close.

By the grace of God, if I get to 100, I have nothing to complain about. God has been good to me, even at 98. Look at me; I eat well, sleep well and watch television to know what is going on. I am curious.

And the children are good to me. I have been lucky with my family – both sides – from my mother’s side in Abeokuta. I have them all around. One just left. They all come in and out – this is their home. I don’t lock anywhere unless when we are going to sleep; and that is because of insecurity now. But I don’t worry about that.

What are your hobbies? You used to play bridge.

I don’t play bridge anymore.

What do you do for fun: dancing, music?

If there is music, I dance. I read a lot, but I don’t like this online thing.

You are not digital?

No.

You don’t go to computer?

I love the feeling of my papers. Now, they are saying that whether we like it or not, children have to take their exams online.

You don’t do WhatsApp and all online stuff?

I don’t.

Do you have a phone?

I have a phone; I believe in that.

Just to talk?

I can text and call you, but I don’t go round looking at the internet. I don’t want to see a woman with a horn and all sorts of things.

What kind of books do you read?

I read novels and gossip papers like City People; and whatever crosses my eyes. I have read the Quran three times because when I don’t understand, I go back. There’s a lot of repetition in it.

There’s no difference in the Bible. My Bible is my number one; I read it. You can read the Bible 10 times and find something new anytime you read it.

There’s nothing happening nowadays that hasn’t happened, including the way we commit sin. But God forgives us when we beg him to forgive us.

You have travelled widely; which countries do you like most besides England, which is your second home?

I have travelled round, but I must confess that I love China.

Why?

The people there are simple but hard-working. And they are respectful. When you see them, there is no flamboyancy about anybody. You face your own business. You look after your family. And they know visitors and respect you. They have the patience of explaining everything, like the Great Wall.

Did you like their food?

Oh yes. Food is not their problem. I like the way they prepare their food. I like India too, but my best place is China. I know I cannot go back now, but I will never forget the experience.

Let’s talk about life today compared to what you went through in those days. You described very easy and beautiful things about Lagos, including how the place was organised. How do you feel about Nigeria of today?

We used to have freedom of movement, but today, the media concentrates on bad news like raping and kidnapping. They focus on that every time instead of telling us about our children who are doing well. Why don’t you concentrate more on the children abroad who are doing well? In Europe now, in London, the banks and hospitals are full of Nigerians; and you will be proud that they are doing very well. Why don’t they focus on that to make our life better?

Don’t you think we should remind the government at all levels of how bad things are in Nigeria?

They know. Everybody knows; and it is not only in Nigeria. The other day, they were having a festival somewhere in America and a young man just decided to drive his car into the crowd.

They have war in Ukraine and Russia but they know how to manage their affairs. They know how to make people comfortable, but we don’t have that here because we don’t have good news. We don’t have the news that is going to calm our anxiety.

So, you are not disappointed with Nigeria as it is now?

I am not. I think the government is doing very well. They cannot do more than that.

Even in America, if they don’t have Trump’s wahala with tariffs, they have problems all the time, more problems than Nigeria, but they still manage.

Why can’t they focus on our brilliant children, men and wives? Our men now look after their wives, unlike before when they used to jump up and down. They now recognise their wives and children. Why can’t they concentrate on the women doing well? Our women are wonderful. We are going to be the president of Nigeria one day, whether they like it or not.