Onikepo, daughter of the first female president, Nigerian Bar Association, Dame Priscilla Kuye talks to MOTUNRAYO JOEL about her mother’s life and career
Tell us about yourself`.
My name is Onikepo Braithwaite nee Kuye. I have an older brother, Demola who is also a lawyer. I had my primary education at Corona School, Ikoyi then I proceeded to Holy Child School, Obalende, where I spent two years. I had my secondary education at Queens College, Yaba, Lagos. I later moved to England for my A levels. I attended Goudhurst College, Chesire, then Hurtwood House, Surrey. I went to America for my tertiary education, where I attended Oglethorpe University, Atlanta, Georgia. I studied Economics; I have a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics with a minor in Business Administration. In 1986, I observed my National Youth Service Corps scheme and then went to the University of Lagos to study Law. I was at the Nigerian Law School where I obtained my BL in 1991.
Being a lawyer, are you sometimes pressurised by people to emulate your mother?
Even though we are both lawyers, we are two different people. There are certain aspects she is active in, such as Bar politics, especially since she was the first female President of NBA. I’m different; I focus more on my law practice and business. We have different interests, she is also active in the church, which I’m not. However, in terms of work ethics, I think I do my part; I do meet up to her standard.
How do people react when you mention your surname?
I think it is my surname, Braithwaite, that catches their attention first. People always ask which of The Braithwaites? But when they then look at my complimentary card and see the name Priscilla Kuye and Co written on it, they want to know our relationship. When I tell them that I’m her child, they become so welcoming. I can proudly say that my mother’s name has opened doors for me. People then view me as a person of integrity, good morals because of her background. Having to bear Kuye and Braithwaite is a fantastic combination because my mother and Dr. Tunji Braithwaite were both activists and lawyers. Once, there was a client I had been trying to get, when the person saw my complimentary card, they asked about my relationship with Aunty Priscilla. When I said she is my mother, the person’s attitude automatically became very warm.
Growing up, how did she discipline a child who erred?
She was more of someone who would give one a slap but not use a cane. She was firm, and doesn’t believe in pampering a child. She was strict. Sometimes, when either of us erred, she would give us a lashing of her tongue.
How was she able to juggle work and family?
I think she did a fantastic job. I still remember going to her office after school, we would have lunch and do our homework. When she was through with work, we would all go home together. I think she did well in juggling work and family. My childhood was fun; I was quite close to my father too. I was like his handbag. I had a happy childhood.
Before you got married, did she advise you on the type of man to marry?
Not really, jut that I should marry someone who is God-fearing.
Describe your mother?
Despite her small stature; she inspires confidence in me as if she is a giant. Growing up, I felt a strong sense of protection around her. She says one must always put God first in everything. My mother is strong, not really a talkative, but she is confident and always ends up being a force to be reckoned with in whatever she does. She is humble and mild mannered.
How did you feel when she was made the first female president of the NBA?
My family was happy and proud. My brother and I had become lawyers at that time. It’s a thing of pride to say that over 20 years later, no other woman has achieved the Presidency of the Nigerian Bar. She remains the only one.
Would you want to take up the challenge of being made President of the NBA?
No, I just want to do my work quietly, I’m interested in good governance, but I don’t think I’m much of an activist.
Did she influence your career choice?
I studied Economics first before proceeding to study Law. Before I studied Economics my mother used to try to convince me to study law, but I wasn’t sure that I wanted to, so I didn’t at first. Surprisingly, my father studied Economics first before Law. When I came back home after obtaining my Economics degree, I did my NYSC in a Bank and I hated it. That was when I decided to go back to school to study Law. My mother was right. I’m glad I did both, it gives one a good knowledge of things.
How does she handle issues with your father?
My father easy going person, quite homely and family orientated. He went to bed earliest in the house. He never kept late nights. The only issue my mother really had with him was his love for golf and the amount of time he spent at his club. She handled that issue by learning to play golf too (though I don’t think she was particularly interested in the game so she didn’t last very long as a golfer). I remember she used to complain and say that golf was my father’s second wife.
What inspires you about your parents’ marriage?
Their closeness and friendship. My father once told me that the best philosophy for marriage is to take your spouse as your friend. Sometimes I think they prefer themselves to Demola & I, they are that close. They may be discussing something, when you walk in they keep quiet as if it’s for their ears only. Even at her age, after almost 55 years of marriage, she still goes to the market and cooks my father’s meals, because he prefers it.
What kind of mother is she?
She was not too strict but there were some rules. Rule No.1 was that my brother and I were forced to go to church with her every sunday. She also made us do a lot of house chores. My mother loves going to the market, different ones for different things. Most saturdays she used to drag me particularly, to the market, because she said that I was a girl and as such I had to be an expert in going to the market and learning how slash market prices. The number of times I went to the market with her growing up is enough to last me a lifetime. Up till now she still supplies me with foodstuff like yam elubo and ewedu. She loves comparing market prices, she moves from one state to the other.
What does she do before she sleeps and when she wakes?
When my mother gets home from work she does her household chores, eats and spends the evening reading her 20 different newspapers, as she’s a newspaper addict. She watches the news. She doesn’t really watch programmes. In the mornings when she wakes , she prays and meditates before she starts her day.
What values have you imbibed from her?
I have imbibed integrity, honesty, hardwork and discretion. My mother taught us that a lawyer that goes round babbling and revealing clients confidences is not much of a lawyer.
Where does she see herself in the next few years?
I’m not sure. My mother is still extremely active, she goes to court and travels a lot. Maybe she will slow down in the next few years and devote herself to only church and charity work. She wants to live to a very ripe old age. She wants to be remembered for good as someone who contributed to the household of God and humanity.
What makes her happy?
She loves going for church activities. Growing up we did so much of it. We couldn’t go home from Sunday mass till she was done with all her activities, counting collection money, church society meetings and many other church activities. Sometimes, I think if they say there is a church meeting in some back water place, she will go.
What were the challenges she faced during her tenure?
I don’t think the military wanted her back as President of the NBA.Some people just didn’t want or were not ready for a woman NBA President. Sadly, some of the women members even worked against her.
How does she handle her challenges?
She prays. She has a very strong faith in God. My mother says there is nothing God can’t handle.
Who were the famous faces you saw at home?
The Late Professor Jadesola Akande, Dame’s childhood friend, His Eminence Anthony Cardinal Okogie, the former Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mrs. Hairat Balogun, Otunba & Erelu Adekunle Ojora, the Late Chief MKO Abiola, the Late Alhaji Hamza Zayyad, Chief Ezeife, Chief & Chief Mrs. Kola Daisi and many others.Though she is not one that visits people often. She can be quite reserved.
How does she like to dress?
She prefers corporate wears because she still goes to work, court and formal functions regularly. She likes buying clothes anyway. She wears traditional outfits too but she’s not an expert at tying her headtie.
Does she exercise?
No, though she says she walks a lot which is a form of exercise.
What is her favourite food?
She eats healthy meals. She doesn’t eat junk food, she likes fish too. I don’t think she eats red meat. She likes amala, salmon, vegetables, fruits. She doesn’t joke with her fruits. Her kitchen is always filled with fruits.
What is it that Nigerians do not know about your mother?
She’s the first child of an Oba. She prefers to be addressed as Dame (from the Church) instead of Omo Oba or Chief. She speaks her dialect, Ijebu, fluently. She is extremely devoted to church activities. When people discover that I’m her daughter they are so happy, because in one way or the other, my mother would have affected their lives positively. She can have a good sense of humour. She loves going to the market. She is fearless.
Describe her daily schedule?
If Dame doesn’t have to go to court or some other commitments, she does not leave home that early. She goes for 12.30 mass at Falomo, Lagos Island after which she heads for her office. After office hours, there is always a church committee meeting to attend. Then, she heads for home. She travels quite a bit as well for work, church meetings, benchers activities, and a host of others.
What don’t you like about your mother?
She likes hoarding things like her past newspapers. I always tell her she can read them online but she isn’t internet savvy. Mummy is not time conscious at all. She’s always late or missing her flight. I’m a stickler for time. If you are going somewhere for 10AM, it is better to tell her 8am.
Does she still visit you often?
She visits when she comes to town. She always has loads of appointments scheduled so her visits are always flying visits. I spend more time with my Parents when I visit them in their house.
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