home and you

Keeping it

Have you ever been to a house with photographs of the children (from early age through growing up) lined up on the wall of the living room, with pictures frames, artworks and calendar that compete for space?

That is, apart from having a sofa with over eight throw pillows on each sofa and potteries on mantle pieces that give the look of a green house, rather than an apartment.

Is this the chaotic picture of your home? Then it’s time to introduce some sanity.

To start with, decide on the pictures you really should keep. We don’t need to see the entire story in one breath. Two pictures of each child will be adequate, if they are not a whole team. A console table will make a better host to the pictures. Hanging calendars on the wall of your sitting room is a no-no. They are better in your study. If you are someone who selects calendar for decorative items because of the scenic pictures, a cute table calendar on a mantle piece would do. It is also time to either relocate some of those pots and vases or make someone’s day by giving some of them away. Flowers can be more appreciated if they are but a few in the living room. Having more than enough throw pillows creates an awkward sitting position for your guests. Those award plaques can also do better in the study. One or two might just be okay to show off the achievement.

simple Give your home a break! Make your living room a nice place to relax, by constantly decongesting it of excesses. Give your home a break! Make your living room a nice place to relax, by constantly decongesting it of excesses. Keep it simple! It would surprise you what great feeling you get from it. You may like to add a long indoor plant at the corner, it gives you something to nurture. Keep it simple and you would never go wrong.

GorGeouS. be you!

Age Barriers

by Bimbo Oloyede

The last time, we identified some Nigerian women who contributed immensely to the nation’s socio-economic development in various capacities of service. One common denominator they all have is their visibility. All but one of them, were somewhere between 40 and 55 years old.

That surely doesn’t say only women within that age bracket are capable of playing a vital role in nation building nor does it suggest those who are older, are not in a position to make significant input, wherever they are placed.

I recall a visit to an Aunt of mine, Dr. Irene Modupeola Thomas, of blessed memory in 1987. It was very usual to find her reading various medical journals or writing papers for presentation in international conferences, but this day was different.

Her flat was covered with sheets of papers and as she collated and stapled them, she spoke excitedly, about starting a Nigerian chapter of the Inter Africa Committee, and of her determination to fight female genital mutilation in Nigeria. The papers on the floor, were leafs of her first newsletter, now ready for distribution.

She had so much to say but had to keep an appointment that was prescheduled for that afternoon, and as she hurried out, I wondered where she got all that energy to start afresh at 70. After a fulfilling career in the health sector, she was targeting a cultural no-go-area, in a country that seemed resistant to change at the time, and having to deal with people that were quite nervous about tampering with taboos, than the consequences of their unsavoury practices. But she was not deterred. When she passed on at the age of 88, she had established 23 chapters of the IAC around the country.

Talk about old (wo) men dreaming dreams and mounting up with strength like the eagle.

It would not be out of place concluding that passion was her energizer. Throughout her career as a medical

practitioner, she witnessed complications arising from harmful traditional practices and had been motivated to make a case for their elimination.

From time to time, many of our senior female citizens find themselves in places where they can make a difference. Some might have been lulled into believing that their advice may be of little significance for various reasons. What they fail to realize is that such efforts produce great results due to the priceless experience that come with age.

I believe that elderly women have to consider how to pass on the expertise gathered over the years, to ensure that younger women don’t fall into the same traps that they set themselves for either knowingly or unknowingly.

Sometimes, only women within certain age brackets, qualify to give specific advice. Who can better advice on how to keep a peaceful home and marriage than a woman who has been married for fifty years?

Even if she got married at 18 or 20, after 50 years she would have attained the age of 68 or 70.

It all comes down to the age advantage and the desire to share knowledge that would be of benefit to others, especially these days when people are so eager to learn about health and proper nutrition.

The old wives’ tales that is said to contain a kernel of wisdom; local treatments for simple ailments; beauty secrets passed from one generation to another and folk tales that teach children values and principles are rapidly slipping away. Only elderly women at community levels, whether educated or not, are the ones who have the privilege to champion these causes for posterity.

I have often wondered why State

As it is commonly said, age is just a number and has nothing to do with how you look, how you feel or how you sound…unless YOU decide to be ruled by those figures.

and Local Governments have not woken up to the huge available resource located within their reach. By this, I am talking about the huge number of pensioners, retired professionals and business women who have either retired to their original communities or remained in their adopted communities.

Their years of service and expertise should not be allowed to go to waste. Their skills should be effectively utilized for social re-engineering in matters concerning health, industry, commerce and the likes.

Of course, these pensioners would not be averse to a little extra income whose beneficiaries would be on the receiving end of first class information and by so doing, ensuring that citizens of all ages are partners in progress.

Clearly, age is not a barrier when it comes to making positive impact and it doesn’t matter where women find themselves.

Consider the hundreds of women selling at the market places. We like to describe them as petty traders and fail to acknowledge that many of them have honed business skills, which equals those touted by employees of Conglomerates.

These women (in the conglomerates) deal with huge amounts of money on a daily basis and are revered by the companies they represent. You would be surprised to know the average ages of most of these women, some of whom have been with companies like Unilever, Cadburys and Nestle Foods, in the last 35 to 40 years! These women are not only landlords and land owners, but have educated their children to Masters and Doctorate levels. Unfortunately, it doesn’t appear that they are in a hurry to hand over to the next generation or equip them with the necessary training for the future.

How do YOU become an agent of change - a Rare Gem - using the age advantage?

Reach out and play an Active Role within your Environment. Give with Enthusiasm of your Major skills and knowledge.

Identifying your strengths and seeking opportunities where they can be utilized, you will discover that the more you give of your time and person, the more fulfilling your life becomes.

Age is of no consequence when you are involved in pleasurable undertakings that are constructive. Soon, you will wonder why you waited so long to make that move.

As it is commonly said, age is just a number and has nothing to do with how you look, how you feel or how you sound…unless YOU decide to be ruled by those figures.

Do you know a RARE Gem? Please send details to the editor at editorial@ gemwoman.com

I urge you to:

Reach out and play an Active Role within your Environment. Give Enthusiastically of your Major skills and knowledge.