How is life with you as the Olori?

I am enjoying myself. The culture is very rich, very diverse, and I am learning something new every day.

Since your arrival in Iwo, what have you been able to learn?

I have learnt about Nigeria as a whole. I have realised that you enjoy pepper a lot.

Have you been taking pepper?

I don’t like it, but I have been taking some small quantities. I have equally realised that there are different tribes, different cultures, and different religions in the country, unlike in the Carribean where we worship one God. God of Abraham, God of Moses.

Are you saying there are no other religions in your country?

My coming to Nigeria to see people worshipping different gods is new to me. There are no other religions in my country, but I grew up in Canada where there are multicultural beliefs. Most of the friends I grew up with are Muslims. Living in Dubai exposed me to Islam and Hinduism. I was also exposed to traditional religion there, which has opened my eyes to diverse multi-cultural religions. I can say this is very lovely and interesting. Interestingly, we are in the Ramadan season, which incidentally is my second time of fasting. I fasted when I was staying in Dubai.

What was your parents’ reaction when you informed them of your decision to marry a Nigerian?

My parents were very supportive because we are blacks. It would have been a different ball game if I was getting married to a Vietmesse or a Hindu. We are all the same because we are all blacks. Africa is the cradle of the world and I am even learning fast that Iwo is the cradle. My parents were very happy for me that I was coming to Africa.

What is it like to be married to a traditional ruler?

Everyday is a learning experience. I learn on daily basis on how to relate with people, especially how to greet elders as an Olori to a paramount ruler. These are things I didn’t grow up with. I have, on a number of occasions, told the elderly who bow to greet me not to do so. To be married to a paramount ruler, one must learn to have patience because the ruler is like the husband of the entire town. I have learnt that my husband is not for me alone because he is responsible to all. The best I can do is to support him mentally, physically, spiritually, while assuring him that everything will be okay.

Did you ever imagine that your husband would be king?

Yes.

What gave you the inkling?

When we were abroad, he was always talking about kingship as he was fond of saying that one day he would be made king. His name, Adewale, means that the crown is coming back home. One thing you should know is that when you have a partner who has a dream, no matter how crazy that dream is to an outsider, you, as the partner, must be on the same page with him, irrespective of how crazy the dream is. If you don’t, you are left out when eventually the dream manifests. You miss out of the equation. His announcement as Oluwo was not a surprise to me.

How are you coping with life in the palace?

Life in the palace is great and lively. There is no difference in living in Iwo palace and Canada.

But you get to meet with many people...

Yes. A lot of dignitaries come here. We have hosted Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, the Sultan of Sokoto, among others. Living in the palace requires a lot of patience. My experience thus far has been exciting and lovely.

Can you compare the privacy you had with Kabiyesi prior to his ascendancy to the throne and now?

There is no privacy any longer. We cannot go where we would love to be privately.

So you are permanently restricted to the palace?

We go out together occasionally. We try to lead our normal lives. I love going to the market, but not the open ones. I am talking about Shoprite and other malls, where I go to. At Shoprite in Ibadan, I am not known by anybody except my civilian escort, as I am always addressed as Oyinbo. I love going to Cold Stone for Ice cream.

What is your field of specialisation?

Before I got married, I was into real estate and property management in Toronto; the market is real and booming. This was what I was doing before my husband became the Oluwo. Iwo is now my home.

What will you be doing now that you are in Iwo?

My husband and I are into collaboration to make Iwo and its communities investors’ haven.  We embark on programmes that are geared towards empowering the unemployed. We are into philanthropy. We have started food and clothing banks. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, we give free food to the under-privileged in the palace. We are equally expecting a container of billions of naira worth of medical equipment (ultrasound machines) and laptops from Canada. These are some of the things we are working together to bring to Iwo in order to bring about change.

Do you think it is enough to give people food rather than empowering them?

I quite agree with you that giving the homeless free food does not make them proactive. But the Oluwo cannot close his eyes to his subjects. During the last May 27 Children’s Day, we had a march past, and the ground breaking ceremony of Telu Soap Factory. Many other factories that will provide jobs are in the pipeline for the young and old alike. How will the hungry, weak, tired people work in a soap factory? How will they work in a hotel or any industry that we want to put in place or the university if they are hungry, dizzy and tired? I believe we have to start somewhere. In philanthropy, every little thing adds up.

How will you describe a typical day in the palace?

We get up to pray together, after which I go into the kitchen to prepare Kabiyesi’s breakfast.

Do you still prepare his meals? Are there no cooks?

I cook for him because that is what is expected of a wife in Yorubaland. I prepare his meals and  serve him and we both eat from the same plate. This gives me joy as I enjoy doing just this.

What informs your dressing now?

It depends on the event to be attended. I usually put on wrapper and buba.

Can you tie the headgear?

I don’t know how to tie gele yet, but somebody comes around to do it for me. My dressing largely depends on the outing with the Kabiyesi. My feelings equally inform what I wear. Though one is restricted from attending many functions, but I have enjoyed the ones I have so far attended because I have been able to learn one or two things about the Yoruba culture.

Have you started kneeling to greet the elderly?

Actually, I do kneel to greet the elderly because they are older than I am. Growing up especially in a Carribean home demands respect for elders. It is the belief over there that if one fails to respect elders, one will not be blessed by God and that in respecting them, they will pass their repertoire of knowledge. I have been kneeling for elderly men and women who come my way.

How did you meet?

Back in Toronto, we have a lot of mutual friends. On the first day we met, we stuck together and refused to leave each other’s sight. That was all. We just fancied each other. I did not fight it, there was no shakara from me. When God brings two people together, you have to allow Him have His way. I met somebody who I admired before he became a king. I met a man who was smart and loving; one who respects me and I also in return. Our mutual feelings just blossomed into love. It just happened and I didn’t fight it. At times, we women fight it; when we meet somebody who likes us, we just pull away. We do a lot of shakara as the men continue the chase.

A word for women and girls

I will advise girls to stay in school and get good grades and know that they can be anything they want to be. The position of the President of Nigeria is not for males alone. It can always be for the female when the time is right, and with the right qualification. Now, Hillary Clinton is running for the presidency in the US. There is the possibility that she might be the first female American president because she believes she could. I will also add that girls should aspire to be great as doors are opened for this generation. There is also gender equality. For the women, they should aspire to be wives.

What can be done to stem domestic violence?

This is why I said women should aspire to be wives. When I was a single girl in Toronto, there was nothing really for me aside going out occasionally with my friends to malls on shopping and parties. But when I met my husband, it was a different ball game. In fact, I had to thank my husband for saving my life. I thank him every day for marrying me. I love ‘serving’ him because he has been there for me since we met. It is great feeling to know that I have somebody who cares and loves me. I always tell my friends that there is nothing out there in the clubs as the guys they go out with will not marry them and that they should find time to settle down instead of running around with guys. 

What is the secret of your teenage looks?

I take a lot of water. Carbonated drinks are not good for the health as they contain much sugar which makes one fat. Water cleans the system, not cold water which freezes the intestines! The ideal water to drink should be at room temperature. I also love hot tea with lemon. I wash my face during day time with lime and water.

Who is your beautician?

I wish I had one, but I don’t.

How will you describe your growing up years?

I grew up in a Carribean household, and a very strict one in Toronto. My mum is a disciplinarian. I am the oldest of my siblings, and always leading by example. I had a great and lovely growing up period.