My friend Arit Oku and I had the good fortune to be received by Toyin Falola, scholar extraordinaire, at his hotel in Lagos when he came to the country to receive an honorary degree. We enjoyed his hospitality, treating us to a nice, unexpected meal with fine conversation. We also found striking his critical engagement with contentious issues in Nigerian public space as he fielded questions from journalists at the hotel. The omnivorously published scholar proved to be genial and down to earth, a truly affable person.
As the journalists interviewed Falola, a woman came into the hotel room and moved into the room at the back of the one where we were seated. Clearly his daughter, I thought, one of those who helps him run the USAAfrica Dialogues listserve. Slim, smooth faced and elegant, she looked the kind of person a man would proudly indicate as the fruits of years of grooming on a strong domestic foundation, fruits now matured into a serene but dynamic adulthood.
Interview over, Falola introduced the elegant lady to us as his wife of 40 years, if I recall the time span correctly. Falola is 64, going by the Falola @ 65 conference slated for next year.She is in her late 50s or early 60s, I think, from what she told us eventually.That suggests they got married when he was about 24 and she not yet 20.
How has their marriage coped with the intense work schedule of a Falola, who has published at least two books since he completed his PhD decades ago and this year has brought out seven books already, if I recall correctly from his CV?
They have thrived, as given by the lady's appearance, devoid of make up creating an artificial impression but rich with the natural vitality of a person living a fulfilling existence.
How do you keep so youthful, my friend and I asked, being people who are making a determined effort to keep the bulge at bay and sustain health that is more readily challenged as one reaches middle age and beyond.
Mrs Falola referenced exercise, two or three times weekly visits to the gym, and, if I recall correctly, a careful diet low in carbohydrates. Amazing. She is older than I am but I know I don't look as fresh as she does. Clearly her domestic experience has enriched her as she has clearly been central to creating a home base reinforcing the intellectual drive of the great scholar.
Left to right: Mrs Falola, Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju, Toyin Falola, Arit Oku
At dinner, Falola talked proudly about his children and their successes, my mind recalling clearly his account of his son's work on innovate software. Falola also educated those where were interested in his response to my question as how he is so productive, his answer being strict use of time and employment of others to do the jobs that complement the work of a writer, such as fact checking and image sourcing.His wife was a rich host, thanking me for my participation in the USAAfrica forum, putting me on the phone to talk her daughter and to Professor Ademola da Silva, both of whom delighted me by recalling me through my role in the forum and thanking me for it.
A very memorable experience.
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