Chief Mrs. Opral Benson is 88. But she does not look it. She also does not behave like someone who is that far gone in age. “It is the Grace of God,” she says. “I have been blessed by God, with good health and a good family and friends who have been there for me over the years.
Truly, the grace of God radiates all around her. She is ageing gracefully. At 88, she does not need reading glasses. She also does not need the aid of a walking stick. And she still loves to dance. And she wears her high heel shoes. At her birthday, last Tuesday she wore a high heel shoe. Her real birthday was the day before (Mon, 6th January) she had an open house the next day. When Maama as she is fondly called walked into her spacious living room, she looked very beautiful in her fushia pink organza lace, made into a Boubou, by her god daughter, Temilolu Okeowo who owns a Textile store in Ikjeja GRA. Her staff, family and friends had gathered to celebrate with her. When it was time to dance, they called on her to stand up and dance. She did and danced like a little girl. She was full of smile all through.
Mama by nature is witty. She would always throw in appropriate jokes where necessary.
How does she feel turning 88 we asked her recently?
“I feel very good about it. I feel very happy that God has blessed me to be able to live to see this number of years. And appreciate all of the persons who have been connected with me one way or the other.
I feel there is nothing but happiness and nothing to make me sad about having a birthday like this. I like to say a big thank you to all of those who have found it necessary to congratulate me, or to be with or to say nice things about me.
Does she feel fulfilled?
“Oh Yes. I do feel fulfilled. I feel I have done what I could. I feel that anything that has come my way that I could be part of, I have done that. I feel fulfilled. Yes. I don’t think there was anything much more that was meant for me to do that I didn’t do. I have gone from the Bottom and I think right now I was at the Top, both in age and in accomplishments. So, I am happy about it.”
How has she always been looking very young and ageless all these year? What has been the secret?
“I don’t know why everybody keeps telling me I am looking young for my age. Everyone who has come to see me or everywhere I have gone to, they say you are looking young for your age. If I do look young, I think I appreciate God for what he has done for me.
I am not sad about anything. I don’t have any problem that I can’t settle. It is when you are worried about things, that you from your face, that you have things on your mind that you can’t get rid off, much of it is what makes people look old. Some of it I think is inherited. But as far as I am concerned. I think I have tried to live my life on a day-to-day basis and to accomplish what I could and to solve problems as they arise and to do goodness to those I could. I feel all of that has helped to make me look how everybody says I look.”
So what’s the secret? is it that she doesn’t face problems or challenges in this Nigerian environment that is tough?
“Of course I face challenges. Everyone who lives on this environment faces challenges. But you must be able to deal with your challenges. That is important. You must be able to do something about it, to solve is the best way that you can and to do appreciate others who help you to solve the problems that come your way. Yes, I do have challenges but I don’t let it get me down, and not get up to be able to move around.”
What are the lessons life has taught her at 88?
“Life has taught me to be thankful for all that has come my way. Life has taught me to appreciate others, to do good to others if I can. I try to solve problems whenever they come my way. I have contributed to the development of many young people in this country, by establishing Beauty School which will be 35 years old this year. I have been part of many other organisation that have done very well for Nigeria. So, really, my Philosophy is do what you can, do the best that you can, contribute whatever you can, and make sure that at the end of the day you are making some people happy.”
For years, she has been blessed with a very radiant skin, how has she kept it aglow?
“I don’t do much to my skin. What you see is my real skin. My skin is natural. I have inherited a naturally good skin in my family. May be it runs in my family. I have not had any problem with my skin at all.”
She is surely an accomplished woman.
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