Pebbles with Igbotako Nowinta.
I was actually planning to do something about the epoch making swearing-in-ceremony of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for the second term in office (on November 27th, 2014), who has demonstrated that he is the tribune of the masses of Osun State, when a friend and veteran editor, Eubaldus Enahoro informed me about reviewing of the book: ZAINAB KESSINGSON MOMOH: WORTHY STEPS OF AN ACHIEVER.
Looking at what Hajia Momoh has done marvelously with her life in the last 85 years; I have therefore decided to make her the subject of today’s menu. Happy reading!
This book Zainab Kessington Momoh: Worthy Steps of An Achiever, edited by Eubaldus Enahoro, Deputy Editor of the Nigerian Observer, a veteran journalist and a workaholic writer, is about a consensus builder of the Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Edo State chapter.
She is an extraordinary woman of peace and unblemished character, a distinguished grandmother, with rich background in education, family values and impactful work life.
The life of Hajia Zainab Kessington Momoh at 85 is nothing but a biographer’s delight.
What we will see in this book will electrify the minds of the younger generation to live a purposeful life, and at the same time ignite a spark in the hearts of all mortals to see life as a battle that must be fought and won with sincerity, absolute dedication to duty/ profession and relentless faith in the power of the almighty.
The book beautifully bounded with exciting paper back is made up of 106 pages; adorned with puzzling historical pictures; published by Blindex Madea; printed by Bora Graphix, 5, Obi Inalu Street, Umuagu, Asaba, Delta state, and carefully divided into Eleven chapters as follows: In the Beginning; Childhood; School Days, Career; Relationship and Marriage; My Husband; Philosophy of Life; Philanthropy; FOMWAN in Edo State; Comments and Tips and Life Style.
IN THE BEGINNING:
Hajia Kessington Momoh’s story is about resilience, determination and indeed that of a worthy achiever.
She enjoyed a communal life in the midst of family members and never lacked anything while growing up in Auchi, Edo state.
CHILDHOOD
Hajia Momoh started school at ten years at Church Missionary Society School (CMS), Warrake Road, Auchi in 1940, while she started an important destiny on November 29th, 1929 (when she was born).
She did not have the privilege of living with both parents as a child. She had a splendid fun with her mother, Fatima Aghiegbegie (a successful trader & farmer) who taught her the act of communal and humanitarian service.
Her father Braimah Ailemo Agbo, a devout Muslim, was a successful farmer with large cocoa firms and a skilled hunter.
SCHOOL DAYS
Inspite of her mother’s robust financial situation, Hajia as a student decided on her own to find ways to contribute to the home.
She engaged in selling writing ink (in vogue then) at school, money realized from the venture was used to buy exercise books, ruler, pencil or eraser as gifts for fellow school mates who were indigent. She subsequently became very popular in school.
RELATIONSHIP AND MARRIAGE
The then treasurer of the local Government Council at Igara, who created a vacant post of maternity hospital, because of the deep affection he had for Hajia Momoh eventually had his way and married the jewel, where she excellently combined her official and domestic duties without any qualms.
That was when her worthy steps started manifesting. According to her “When my first child was five months old, my husband was sent to Britain on a course…. I knew I had to do something before he set off.
I did not need to be told I had to give him some financial support… When he was building his first house at Momoh Road, Auchi, I made handsome contribution financially and materially toward it”.
MY HUSBAND
In the words of Hajia Zainab Kessington Momoh: “My husband meritoriously served the nation in his little way.
He contributed significantly to the construction of the road that entered Auchi. He was also responsible for the supply of electricity and provision of water for the people of the area.
His political influence brought about the establishment of Auchi Polytechnic which today should have been named after him… My husband held the position of a High Court Judge in 1978 in Edo state before he died. He was a member of the Western House of Assembly representing Etsako”.
PHILOSOPHY OF LIFE
Hajia momoh’s Philosophy of life will be taken from her own submission as follows: “We should be engaged in personal affairs and religious matters.
Read stories of sublime achievements and live a good life style to maintain a good heart because a good heart controls the deterioration of the body”.
PHILANTROPHY
Hajia Momoh began the Muslim Women Association which later became Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria.
She launched the Edo state chapter in 1987. Despite enormous challenges she had been able to contribute to philanthropy amazingly.
FOMWAN IN EDO STATE
The Federation of Muslim Women Association of Nigeria (FOMWAN) Edo state chapter, launched on March 19, 1988, has Hajia Momoh as its 1st Amirah, where women are totally empowered to be role model in making positive impact in the society.
In this book Zainab Kessington Momoh: Worthy Steps of An Achiever, the COMMENTS by well-wishers and admirers summed up the extraordinary fruitful life, which Hajia Momoh has led so far. According to Chief Mrs. Dr. Patience Essie Blankson Uku, a retired Director of Social Mobilization (MAMSER) in the defunct Bendel State: “Mrs. Momoh moved with highly placed personalities, but did not lose the common touch.
She has helped the less privileged for whom her generosity has no bounds. Though she was originally a Roman Catholic she became a very devoted Muslim. She has contributed numerously to mobilizing for Muslim women for development”.
THE TIPS ON LIFE STYLE, towards the end of this book makes it unique, as readers are generously given healthy tips for fruitful living.
Zainab Kessington Momoh: Worthy Steps of an Achiever is hereby recommended for alI, especially many of our young girls, so that they can be plus to our society, just as Hajia Momoh has achieved magnificently with her worthy steps.
Eubaldus Enahoro, the editor of this great book must be commended for successfully articulating the worthy steps of a legendary and admirable nurse: Zainab Kessington Momoh
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