Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru celebrating a quintessential media matriarch @75

Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru is the Publisher and Chairman, of The Guardian. She obtained a degree in English and Theatre Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1972. In 1974, she bagged a Master’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from the American University, Washington DC. In this interview, the media icon, who turned 75 on November 20, shares her life experiences, her passion for encouraging women in the newsroom and her acts of kindness, declaring, “I would like to be remembered for my kindness.”

‘Do all the good you can, In all the way you can, To all the souls you can, At all the times you can, With all the zeal you can, As long as you ever can’
-John Wesley (1703-1791) English Preacher, Founder of Methodism

The above quote sits as a frame on the aisle of Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru’s residence. She holds it dearly and has her reasons for that. “A friend of mine had a wedding and I was invited. While leaving to my car, I went through the cemetery and there I saw the graveside of John Wesley and so I copied this quote. You can see the emphasis on the word, ‘Can’,” she recalled.

“My parents raised us to be empathetic and kind and to take nothing with us from this life, leaving behind only what you contribute. I would like to be remembered for my kindness; it is in my DNA and that was the way my mum raised all of us. It doesn’t cost you anything to be kind,” she added.

As a media proprietor, Lady Alex-Ibru is also passionate about the place of women in the newsroom. “I observed that there are more males than females in the newsroom. Each time I pass through the newsroom, I count; I find few women and more men. And so, I spoke to the Head of Human Resources that there should be a balance during recruitment.

“What you guys are not aware of is that most girls are more clever than boys now. I am a woman and also being in charge, I will do everything within my power to make sure that women are empowered, not just putting them on the side because they are women. Thankfully, I have a great team – the Editor, Dr. Femi Adekoya, and his deputy Dr. Wole Oyebade and of course, very cerebral minds and members of The Guardian editorial board, whom I also shared this concern with – Prof. Omole and Dr. Patrick Cole and the former Director General of the Institute of International Affairs, Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi.”

Speaking on values, which she sees as an integral aspect of living, the septuagenarian noted that integrity, kindness and fairness are great virtues people should hold on to.

Her words: “Anybody who doesn’t have integrity, what sort of values does that person have? I believe in fairness, and kindness, and any opportunity to help, I go for it.  I have a few examples out of the many of them.

“I was on my way to the office and I saw a man lying under a tree and so I called my orderly to check on him. Luckily his pulse could still be felt so I made a U-turn; I didn’t bother about where I was going and immediately headed to the hospital. Till today, that man does not know who took him to the hospital.

“Also, one Saturday afternoon, I was on our balcony at Queen’s Drive. I had just had my second daughter and we were sitting out; suddenly I heard this loud sound. I quickly called my steward whose wife also had a baby to come to stay alongside mine in our lounge and so I rushed out. On getting there, a commercial bus had hit a man into the gutter and he had a deep cut on his head. Immediately, I rolled out my brand-new Renegade; my husband had just bought it for me at the time. I didn’t care about the bloodstains; I just got the man in and drove to the nearest hospital.

“I put the man in front of the car with me because I didn’t want him to pass out and I kept conversing with him in a loud voice. I asked his name and all I could hear was ‘Taa’ and so I concluded it was Taju. I kept tapping him and saying ‘Ma suu o’ (don’t sleep). I arrived at the first hospital I saw – a military hospital – and they refused to take him saying the place is just for military personnel and their families. I angrily reversed; the right to life and death is in the hands of God and every opportunity to preserve life should be respected. And so, I headed straight to the general hospital and luckily, the doctor on duty was my childhood best friend’s husband, Remi Adio Moses. He did the stitches. Up until today, that man didn’t know who helped him. I still came back home, from my boys’ room, I took all the essential toiletries and sent them to the hospital for the man.

“It always pays to be kind; any opportunity you have to help another, always do. God sees everything and sees our hearts. Most importantly, it is all about the law of reciprocity, because whatever you send out will always come back to you.” Asked what she would you like to be remembered for, she responded:

“I would like to be remembered for my kindness; it is in my DNA and that was the way my mum raised all of us. It doesn’t cost you anything to be kind. Why do you think all my staff have remained for over three decades? Sometimes they do silly things and come back to apologise and I have already moved on because it is not worth it habouring grudge. That explains me not having obvious wrinkles even though there must be a few as a part of the aging process.”
While advising young women, Lady Alex-Ibru urged them to be modest, noting that it is always good to do so.

“It is always good to be modest. People who see you know so. It’s good to be polite to everyone too, even your domestic staff. When mine brings me food, there is no time the word ‘thank you’ will not follow; it is automatic for me. It’s also important for young women to find time to attend to family while being a career person. Spend time with your kids too,” she advised.  She further admonished young women who earn more money than their husbands to pet them.

“Some wives have better means of livelihood than their husbands. Some men resent it and this can create a bit of tension. So you need to apply some kind of psychology in terms of petting the man more through action than words. You could sit by him and have subtle conversations to make him feel relaxed. This is what a wise woman will do.

“Be kind no matter what it costs you; God has a way of replenishing. Always keep a tidy home because it also tells on your personality and teaches your children personal hygiene habits,” she advised.

An exemplary leader, Lady Alex-Ibru has earned various awards and recognitions. In 2007, the Greek Parliament conferred the “Golden Cross of Welfare” on her. In 2012, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria conferred on her the Ladyship title of the “Cross of Saint Mark”. She was also given the Special Philanthropy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria award by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP-Nig). In September 2014, the Nigerian National Honour of Member of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria award (MFR) was conferred on her.

She was crowned Yeye Atunluse of Ondo Kingdom by the Osemowe and paramount ruler of Ondo Kingdom, Oba Adesunbo Kiladejo. In 2022, she was named one of Eko 100 Women by the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu to celebrate International Women’s Day. She was also awarded top 100 Travel and Tourism Personalities in Africa. She served as a faculty at The Peak Performer Festival (TTP FEST) 2024.