Chief (Mrs) Funke Arthur-Worrey, a former President of Ikeja Lioness Club, now known as Ikeja Golden Club, recently clocked 98. In an interview with GBENGA SALAU, she spoke on what clocking 98 means to her, among other issues of life.

How do you feel clocking 98?
I cannot believe I am 98 years old. This is because I can still talk, I see you, and I can walk although not like before that I could run, but I thank God. Nonetheless, I still go to the market when I want to. I eat what I want. I go where I want. You cannot force me to do anything I don’t want to do. Also, my thinking my faculty is still alright. I talk to and I meet people like you. And I love meeting people. Thus, I thank God and my families that are looking after me. I do not know what more to say than to thank God, who has been so good to me. Years ago, when I lost my husband, I didn’t know what to do, but I thank God for the people that surrounded me.

What is the secret of your good health despite your age?
The secret is my God. First, one has to believe in one God. I don’t care whether you are a Muslim or whatever you worship, because it is all one God. Just believe in God. And then, don’t just follow what is happening around you. You think well of your surroundings and of the country. Then you have to be friendly with everybody. When I mean friendly, not when we have a problem, you go and disturb people. Also, be happy with what God has given you. Nobody has it all. The little God has given you as your portion, you should try and enjoy it and be happy with it.

You like serving humanity which is evident in you being a chartered member of the Golden Lions Club, and later its president. But you did not participate in politics, why?
I do it privately, but I am not into active politics. I never liked it because once you are a politician; your life is not yours again. And whatever you do will be criticised. Like, I was reading an old copy of the Tell Magazine, which talked about former President Yar’adua. I didn’t even remember that he was that much attacked in the paper. So, as quiet and lovable the man was, people still found fault with him. So, as a politician, there is nothing you do that people will not criticise, and this is what I run away from.

But it would have provided you a bigger platform to positively touch more lives?
Well, I don’t know. It has never even crossed my mind, because I have all the politicians around me, but I was not born to be a politician. I talk politics! I know what is going on in Europe, Nigeria, and around the globe. But I am not a politician.

I don’t have the stamina. I didn’t have the flair for it. My brother, HO Davis was a politician with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Shonibare, Macaulay and others. We used to follow him everywhere; and those people were always in our house then, even before I got married. We see them at my father’s house; they were always there. But it didn’t even occur to me to be a politician, because your time is not your time again; your family is not your family again, once you are a politician. No privacy, and whatever you do, your opponent will criticise it.

You have relationships with people like Obasanjo, Igbinedion, Alakija, and many more. How did your path cross them?
Don’t forget that I’ve been in Lagos for 98 years now. My childhood, everything was in Lagos. And at that time, Lagos was very small. We were well-knit; we were always together. Then, you were the uncle and aunt to your friend’s children. We were so close. Like Fatai Williams, we grew up together. I met Obasanjo through my husband in the 1970s during the military government with Murtala Muhammed.

You have been in Lagos for about 98 years; can you compare Lagos of then and now?
Lagos was beautiful then. The Lagos radius was from Yaba. We only go to Yaba maybe once a year if you had a relative there. Lagos was Isale Eko, Tokunbo, Campos Square to Ikoyi. I remember then, nobody could just go to Ikoyi like that, except where they had the cemetery. This is because Ikoyi was where our colonial masters lived then. So, in Lagos then, you must know somebody everywhere; we were all related.

My father and grandfather came from Isale Eko. I remember my father would hold my hand when I was about eight years old to visit cousins because we had aunties and uncles everywhere. There was nothing like insecurity. We were walking barefoot everywhere. We loved each other then. There was this love that was pervasive then, irrespective of where you came from. Once you knew each other, you would take care of each other, and become a family.

Lagos was fantastic then. We had everything; there was water and light. We would go everywhere to see our people. But now, it’s a different kettle of fish due to population explosion. It was like London. I still love it, but I just don’t like the way it has been left to deteriorate. It is sad that it is being polluted by beggars and miscreants.

As I mentioned earlier, in terms of security then, Lagos was much more secure. You could move anytime of the day. Lagos was beautiful. And then children, back then, were not spoilt.

On Saturday, you had to do your chores; even on school days before you were allowed to go to school, you must do your duty. Talk about respect, we had it then. We were taught to respect our elders. Lagos was beautiful.

Unlike now, we observed festive periods together irrespective of your religious leanings. Christmas, Ileya festivals were done together because we were interwoven. No room for discrimination. As a Christian, you had Muslim relatives; it could be your uncle or your aunt. But we all got on so well.

Are you one of Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s fans, since I see his portrait noticeably displayed on your shelf?
Fela is my favourite. I still listen to his music, and I enjoy it. Everything Fela sang about is happening now. Honestly, he was a visionary and I like him. I like his mother.

Looking back now, what is your proudest achievement?
I think my greatest achievement is that I grew up in Lagos and went to school in Lagos. Though I got married in England, I still came back to Lagos and enjoyed Lagos. I love Lagos. I travel a lot. God helps me to travel outside the country and even within Nigeria. I see the way people are. But Lagos is the best for me, because really, we were lucky. You know, if you go to school here, unless you don’t want to study, you can study anything. That is why I still consider Lagos as still the best out of the 36 states.

What is the biggest lesson life has taught you?
It has taught me to be humble and to love one another. I’m not saying I’m perfect when it comes to the issue of love. All I’m saying is that you should give it your best shot. We all have challenges, but never take your problem out on others. Enjoy life; travel if you can. We all can’t travel abroad, but just go out, change the atmosphere. Enjoy with your neighbours. You know, there’s no life more than this. And then you need to have a hobby, either gardening or any other thing. You may not be perfect. And then make yourself comfortable by eating well, by sleeping on time, by going to parties if you can or just dancing to music anyway. Thank God we still have all these old music and fashion.

Do you still go to parties?
Yes, but family functions. Aside from my societies, IWS and all, who will not leave me alone. They were all here the other day. They are all my children now, but then we are so close, so interwoven, that whenever they have something to do, I attend. Though now I don’t go outside Lagos.

Years back, you said in 10 to 15 years, Nigeria might have a female president. But right now we have only three women at the Senate. Are you not concerned?
We are trying, but don’t forget in some parts of the country, their mentality is different from the South. There are some who still believe women should not be doing anything more than having babies. So, if those people have a changed mindset, and they want a female president, it will definitely happen.

While there is room for improvement, I think our women are doing well. We have so many women that come out bravely to talk, even in the North. But then don’t forget, as I said, in Nigeria, we still have those places that limit women and hold back their growth. But I believe the issue of having a female president in this country will happen one day.