You are over 90, but you look younger and you can read very well, what is the secret behind it?
I give thanks to Allah for giving me my body and at the same time I don’t allow anything to bother my mind which can bring set back to my life. I do rest and do some exercises by taking a walk to the shop or visit some of my relations. I also use both Native and English medicines. “I enjoy reading Newspapers to keep my mind out of unnecessary thinking and at the same time to know more about Nigeria today”. Apart from Friday Jumat service and Nasfat on Sunday where she reads only Quran. Mama Aro always occupies herself reading Dailies News and Magazines particularly Tell, The News, Tempo, City People. Punch, and Tribune On a daily basis.
Can you tell us about your birth?
I was born at (Ikangba quarters) now Abass Street, Ita-Osu on February 3rd 1923 to a prominent family of Alhaji Rabiu Banjo Majagbin and her mother Munirat Banjo (Mama Ojofa) came from Dawodu family at Ikangba quarters.
My late father Pa Rabiu Banjo Majagbin of blessed memory was a wealthy man and a man of God. He was a popular man as he was known throughout the length and breadth of Ijebu-Ode as “Rabiu Ita Osu”. A prince merchant of his time. He was importing Damask from Germany and Britain. So, he loved education and he gave his children and grandchildren and relations good education.
Tell us about your educational career and business?
During our time, women education was not a priority, but because of my father’s wealth I had the formal education, I started my Kindergarten Class (Nursery & Primary School) in 1929 under the control of CMS Missionaries sent from London at Adebowale’s house (back of the Central Mosque). “Miss Lee and Miss Good Hall were my teachers” while late Mrs. Lawal (nee Odunuga Balogun) was one of my mates”, said Mama Aro. I later attended Christ Church Porogun for my Primary education in 1932, where Mrs. Osisanya the wife of the former Principal of Ijebu-Ode Grammar School, Mrs. Ogunwomoju (nee Banjo), Mrs. Mosuro (Nee Oluyadi) were my classmates, I was later admitted to CMS Girls School Igbeba in 1939 for my Modern Secondary education where Mrs. Baisat Onafuye Nee Doharty), late Mrs. Nimota Babayele (Nee Kuku), Mrs. Nimota Onanuga (Nee Quadri) are my classmates while late Chief (Mrs.) Soyanwo was one of our teachers. I got admission to Methodist Teachers Training School, Sagamu, but I could not continue because of marriage. “Being the first daughter of my father and my father’s love for education made me one of the beneficiaries among his children and if not for the perception or believe of our people at that time that women education was not compulsory. I could have continue my education then.
I got married in 1943 to late Alhaji S.O. Aroyewu, the retired Railway Senior Personnel Manager of Bobadega Age Group (1913-1915) and a pioneer member of Goodwill Society and of JOGS (33 Set). Mrs. Afusat Aroyewun recalled her marriage ceremony in which she was taken to Lagos on a rickety boat as a new bride to meet her husband, where she was welcomed by her husband’s friends like late Pa. Dawodu, late Pa Ibirogba at Moleye Street, Yaba, Lagos. I married at 20 and also had my first daughter in 1943. I ventured into textile business at Nnamdi Azikwe in 1940s up till 1965 when my father called me back home, to manage one of his business outfits (Sawmill) which he was in partnership with late Alhaji Z.O.B Bakare. My coming back to Ijebu-Ode in 1965 had two major reasons. Firstly, my husband being an Administrative Officer in Railway is always on transfer either to North or East. I was with him in Zaria (1951-1954) and my father does not want me to be too far from him because of his Damask business which I look after when I was in Lagos.
Do you have some of your children staying with you?
I have only one in America, the others are here in Nigeria even three are in Ijebu-Ode doing their various businesses. They are always around me and those in Lagos, Ibadan and Abuja come home regularly. I have my grandchildren around me. With them, it is quite beautiful.
Do you subscribe to polygamy?
I won’t subscribe to Polygamy and I always tell my children not to indulge in it. Polygamy is okay if you have the money but not good for a salary earner. As a mother, I have to be realistic, I won’t mislead my children. I have my 8 children to one man, a Civil Servant of Nigeria Railway Corporation and my prayer is not to witness the death of my children when am life.
