July is the birthday month of
this beautiful woman called Mojisola Blessing. She lives in
Dublin with her family. She is a Dublin Nurse Practitioner.
She is also a stylish Lady, blessed with a
beautiful look. The big news is that she will be 50 in a few days.
She recently spoke to Citypeople
magazine Publisher SEYE KEHINDE
about her successful life @ 50. Below are excerpts of the
interview.
Congratulations on your coming
50th birthday. How do you feel turning 50?
Thanks so much. Wow I am so
thankful to the Almighty God the giver of life for counting me worthy to
witness this day. I feel so privileged and thankful. Ageing is a privilege, not
everyone is so blessed to live to be 50, I am so appreciative to Almighty God
the giver of life and all good things for counting me worthy to experience this
milestone. I am thankful.
How do you plan to celebrate it?
Did you have the plans of celebrating it big?
Due to the global pandemic, all
plans have changed except the plan of feeding the less privileged and homeless.
We will be feeding 1000 homeless, orphans and widows over 3 days in Lagos. That
has always been one of the plans but now it is the only plan and most humanly thing to do at this critical time in the global pandemic.
Though we have been distributing raw food to elderly people during
the lockdown in Nigeria.
A Thanksgiving service followed
by a reception with a popular juju band (which I am the godmother) here in
Dublin Ireland was supposed to entertain at the reception. My family and I are supposed to host 50 close friends from Dublin, UK, USA and Nigeria in Dubai
over 5 days as the 2nd stage. Finally, I and my immediate Family and few of my
friends planned to go to Israel in September for 10 days, though I go to Israel for the yearly pilgrimage. All these are on hold due to the pandemic. We thank God for
keeping us safe and well during this critical time in history. We bless and
thank God for our lives.
But you don't look 50, you look
far younger. What is the secret of your refreshing young look?
I am humbled, thanks for the
encomium. A lot of people say that and believe I'm younger than my actual age,
especially because I'm playful too and do have friends that cut across all
ages. I thank God for the gift of life and my parents for my genetic. I am a
copy of father who is very handsome and tall (laugh) and my mother who is so
beautiful and light skinned. Though l am a copy of my father but my mother was
kind enough to share one of her physical features with me which I am very
thankful for (laugh).
I do meditate every single day
for 20 minutes, which I believe over the years has helped me to keep my mind
still, turning stress into stillness and has taught me to live in the moment. I
do sleep for 8 hours because I believe it is the most efficient way of getting
rid of toxin in the body. Sleep fine tunes our immune system to regulate our
hormones in decreasing inflammation in general. I do exercise at least 3 times
a week with a semi personal trainer, I don’t go on machine as much but rather I
do high intensity exercises, weight training and boxing. I do yoga and
breathing classes at times too whenever I get a spot as the class is quickly
filled. I walk 10, 000 to 13000 steps a
day, though sometimes I give myself permission not to. I laugh a lot, always smiling, people that
know me always say I'm always smiling. It keeps my stress down and doesn't cost
me nothing. It's free so I can as well keep it. I listen to music, all kinds of
music from easy listening, jazz, afrobeat, Praise songs etc. I love good music.
I pay myself every month by going to the spa for a full pampering which
comprises of full body massage, facial, and exfoliating, body wraps, head
massage etc, I do alternate depending on what I need for that particular month
but it is a compulsory ritual I do monthly for the past 15 years. I do have a
daily facial routine for 33 years I do follow. Above all, I stay in contact
with my heavenly Father through prayer and meditating on his words.
Tell us your story. Where were you
born? Where did you grow up?
I was born in Zaria Kaduna State.
I started my early childhood in Zaria with my parents but my parents took me to
live with my aunt (my mother's younger sister) and uncle in-law who is a
publisher in Festac town when I was 7 years old. So I finished my
elementary school in Festac and my secondary school education in Government College
Lagos too. Actually, my secondary school is where LASU is situated today. After my secondary school, I got admission into UNILAG to study chemistry but I left because I wanted to study Pharmaceutical
science and my uncle-in law, a man of principle and integrity, a Lecturer in UNILAG refused to change my course because I didn't make the points by few points. I
do understand and respect him for that today. Afterwards, I got admission into
ABU Zaria but I left Zaria after the 1st Semester because I couldn't settle
into Zaria life. My brother that got the admission is still upset with me till
today for leaving, he says it at every opportunity, Moji the stress I went
through to obtain that space for you but I wasn't happy so I left. When I left
ABU Zaria, my 1st cousin who was the military
governor of Oyo state got me an admission into Ibadan Polytechnic to study
Laboratory technology, so Ibadan, here I come. I wasn't happy that I was in
Polytechnic and wanted the governor to get me into UI to study my
Pharmaceutical science but he refused out of principle. I was so determined to
study pharmaceutical science, so I left Ibadan Polytechnic when he refused.
Those years were trying years for me though i was still a teenager but still
the journey was tough then. I learnt a lot through the journey. I am so
appreciative and grateful to God for the gift of life.
I am a strong willed and determined
person, who always knew what she wanted and will always stay true to her belief
and principles. So when everyone was telling me what I should study, I knew it
wasn't for me, I decided to take a break and refocus. Education is not only
about learning in classroom but through Life, relationships and experience.
Ibadan gave me that platform where I experienced Life, met people and built
relationships that are still dear to me today. I experienced life, built my social
life and learnt so many valid lessons in such a way that influenced and helped
shaped me today. Sometimes, one needs to
jump some hurdles to experience success. So I started helping my mother with
her businesses, she had shops in shopping complex Mokola, Aleshiloye market,
Oja Oba and Oritamerin. So I took over one of her businesses, her cement business
as she was a major distributor with the main cement company. After a year or
so, my mother was so adamant I should go back to my education, so I did.
What courses did you do?
Like I mentioned earlier, after 4
years of studying, I got a diploma in Information processing and Management in
the UK. I did a post graduate diploma in Information management in Dublin
Ireland and fortunately for me, the company where I was posted to do my internship
retained and employed me after my internship as a software and web developer. I
worked with the company in Bagot street Dublin for years. After few years as a
developer, I took a career break to be a stay at home mother as my kids were so
young. Staying at home for those years were so rewarding and thought provoking
period for me personally. During the
years of staying at home mom, I lost some of my skills as a developer. Software is so diverse and innovative that
you have to be learning and relearning the latest. Through the years of stay at
home motherhood, I discovered my caring side.
I went through life changing experiences hence I went back to school for
4 years yet again here in Dublin Ireland. I obtained a degree in Nursing. I was
retained where I did my internship to work as a registered nurse. I have done
numerous certificate courses and post graduate diploma nursing courses in the last 10 years.
I am presently working as a senior staff nurse with HSE in Ireland. I love my
job with passion and see it as giving back to humanity. I feel so privileged
and thankful to be in a position to assist people live their best life and
advocate for them. It is very humbling to care for people when they are
vulnerable and experiencing any type of pain.
How is your family?
I live here in Dublin with my 3 children to the glory of God.
The oldest is graduating this year by God's Grace and the younger ones are
under graduates.
Do
you feel accomplished?
To truly balance my life, I do make hard choices and firm
decisions which has enhanced the quality of life I want to live. Personally and professionally I do check myself and try to a strike balance. I am conscious of things that compete with my
time, attention and energy and only give my time and energy to what matters to
me in the moment most times. I live a life of gratitude and love towards myself
and others, though sometimes I have said no without feeling guilty. It's so fulfilling
and great joy to do what God has called me to do, touching people lives in a
meaningful way. I believe I am fulfilling my purpose and so thankful with all
my heart and soul. The sense of accomplishment is defined by one's sense of
value. Yes, I do feel accomplished with a thankful heart to God Almighty for
his Mercies.
Do
you miss home, Nigeria?
I don't really miss Nigeria. I was in Nigeria in January for 2
weeks on vacation. I used to come to Nigeria at least 4 times in a year for
business until 2015. I used to export trucks to Nigeria, I used to export 3 to
4 full loads to Nigeria every year. It was a thriving business, and it was
expanding rapidly until 2015, the economy of Nigeria took an uncertain turn, in
which I lost millions. That's another story for another time. Pray Nigeria will
experience good leadership, leaders that love the country, people, and take pride in the country. Leaders that are vast in knowledge, understand governance
and ready to serve the populace. Nigeria is a great country with vast resources
and the vast population to thrive. Nigeria will be great again I believe and pray.
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