STILL ON THE QUINTESSENTIAL MOTHER, ACHIEVER – TOYIN SARAKI @50
Exactly a week today, Barrister (Mrs) Toyin Saraki took us down memory lane to some of her defining moments that have kept her strong throughout her sojourn as the former Kwara first lady, wife of the Senator representing Kwara Central and founder, the Well-Being foundation Africa.
Aside the usual glitz and glamour attached to the attainment of such golden age, an emotion laden Toyin Saraki- (nee Ojora) was full of gratitude to God for all she has achieved in the last five decades and the people that has made the journey a more remarkable stride.
The accolades received from her colleagues, and well-wishers who called into the live session of radio stations were over-whelming. It was a day set aside by Kwarans to celebrate a silent achiever who acts more than she talks. Going by her ever radiant smile that characterised her youthful look, far younger than her real age, she can arguably pass for a thirty-something year old lady. An accomplished woman devoted to humanitarian services. Many are called but only a few can stand the test of time; Mrs Saraki has taken the game a notch higher from a charity donor to a 'life saver'.
I recall vividly on many occasions the shared testimony by joyous mothers upon the safe delivery of their child; resulting from an initial distress phone calls that comes in the wee hours of the night for delivery rescue missions. Once such accomplishments are fully established, the smiles on Her Excellency's face afterwards depicts that of a woman who has found supreme fulfilment as a prerequisite for admission to the state of womanhood.
The need to impact more lives metamorphosed the Alaafia Kwara – a pet project for the state indigenes into the more encompassing WellBeing Foundation Afrca, a non-governmental organization birthed by H.E Toyin Saraki to serve as a voice and platform for the African Women and child to rediscover the basis for their existence and tackle common vices associated with the feminine gender.
Barrister Saraki took special interest in child and maternal health, and it was no surprise that she used the occasion of her birthday to pay homage to the downtrodden in the society by donating empowerment items and raw materials to empower the girl child. Despite the heavy presence of politicians and important personality present at the prayer ground, the former first lady ensured that the plight of these kids remains the focal point of attention. She has totally giving herself away in the service to humanity little wonder she attracted a legion of passionate Nigerians with support from her husband and best friend Senator Bukola Saraki in her honour to appreciate her effort thus adding the required glamour to an already scintillating celebration.
Mrs Toyin Saraki is not a politician, but she has done a yeoman job in raising legislations. Empowering the youth, especially women on what their expectations and rights entails and possible funds that are accessible for major surgical operations to ensure safe delivery. Yet, she is ever determined to do more. Toyin is an accomplished, confident, seasoned legal luminary using her God's given talent to advocate for social change. Her basic strength is in the knowledge that a social service is not fully functional until it is 100% inclusive and accessible to all. These, she continues to emphasize in all her keynote addresses both at home and on the international scene by creating awareness on the malign and the dire effect on the larger society.
Without a doubt, her last 50years have recorded success that many can only imagine; and the next 50years is already looking action-packed. She has proven beyond reasonable doubt that success is not a myth. Her birthday celebration gave many of us a new perception to life; a life worth living for less privileged, which truly, is the whole essence of our existence. She attended graciously to everyone who came to celebrate with her in true spirit of harmony and the love-filled atmosphere was sufficient as a parting gift for all.
Once again we say happy birthday to a quintessential mother, a woman of virtue and great substance.
Regard.
Written by Wale Bakare, Writer at BailiffAfrica & Founder – MediaFactory
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