Late Chief (Mrs) Stella Obasanjo with Alaba Yusuf in Mayfair, Park Lane, London

or some it may not mean a thing. Not so much of a difference, perhaps. Spending half an hour with a country's first wife, first mother and first lady, that is. But, for any journalist worth his salt, such an encounter is more than an icing on a career's cake.

It was like having a sneak peek on a yet-to-be released blockbuster flick. Imagine an exclusive one-man premier of a film. What else will an editor wish for?

Interviewing someone that understands and knows a ruler, more than all his subjects put together, is like an opportunity of entering the bedroom in a household without being dazzled by the distraction in the living room.

Officialdom, in human terms, is very similar to home entertainment and all the essential and non-essential decors that arrest the guest's eyes in a new home. It often causes not only distraction but also a distortion of what would have been a clean, blunt discussion.

So if you manage to get rid of by a stroke of luck the yoke of officialdom to reach your host uninhibited, surely one's joy may know no bounds. This was my lot in London.

My meeting with Mrs. Stella Obasanjo, Nigeria's First Lady, happened to be her last assignment before she jetted out of Britain, after a fruitful business trip to Her Majesty - The Queen's abode, where she attended the Caribbean Expo 2001 held in the Docklands.

Again, it was officially unofficial. Bear with me this contradiction. Simply put she was not scheduled to meet with me, officially. But Noble People had officially notified the Nigeria High Commissioner (then), Prince Bola Ajibola, KBE, days before, of our desire to interview the First Lady on her roles, especially her charitable activities.

So when the invitation was not forthcoming even on the morning of her last day in England, we smelt a loss but still sent a reminder to the Ambassador, who, as usual, promised to try his best for us. We waited and waited, hoping against hope.

At about six O' clock in the evening, my cell phone ranged. It was an aide of the High Commissioner intimating me to be at the Hotel Inter Continental, Park Lane, West London where the First Lady had been staying. Eight was the prime time. Pronto, I landed with our ever-ready lensman, Adesons, a photographer who never grumbles.

True to type, the emergence of a grand old luxurious Rolls Royce, FGN1, signalled the arrival of Prince Ajibola. He strolled through a retinue of people who had gathered to see Mrs. Obasanjo off.

From that crowd, we were picked upstairs. And within five minutes we were right there, sharing the palatial presidential living room with the First Lady's entourage.

Moments later, a graceful lady sauntered in from an adjourning room and everyone rose to greet her. The first lady, that was. And humbly she exchanged pleasantries with the Ambassador. Her intention was to go to the airport. The last thing on her mind must have been to grant interview to anyone.

Prince Ajibola, who wore a lavishly embroidered babanriga, then sprang a surprise. "I have brought in some people to query you" he said to the First Lady jokingly. To which she replied, jokingly too: "why me, you are the host and so you are in the best position to answer any query."

Jokes apart and as if required, the High Commissioner threw his weight behind the good that NOBLE PEOPLE stands for, and went one step further to remind Her Excellency about the role of yours truly and Labamedia PR run by us, in the promotion of good national image for Nigeria and Nigerians both home and abroad. That did the trick.

So with a floodgate of smiles and frank talk, the amiable First Lady answered all our questions in a no holds-barred manner. And at the end of it all, she, in our estimation realises the weakness of her husband's administration but also pointed the torch light at the opportunities for future development in the country, without glossing over things or dousing the flame of hope. She saluted our courage and stood up to be counted as one of the role models and credible people who endorse NOBLE PEOPLE. Firmly, she took my hand in an urban lady-like handshake saying congratulations, for doing a wonderful job.

Finally, like the legendary former US first lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Mrs. Stella Obasanjo may well be on a sure path to casting her name on the fame board of world-class do-gooders. You are now invited to read the interview proper and pass your own judgment.

WHY I CARE

Why do I care?

I care because I've always cared and was actually born to care for others, especially the underprivileged in society. I care mostly about children in need, the mentally or physically disabled and socially excluded people.

I feel for them and I will always do my best possible to alleviate their situation and predicament. For instance, I have a home for such children in Wuse near Abuja (the country's capital). It is a rented accommodation. There I cater for these children who have been assembled from all over the geographical zones of Nigeria.

It must also be said that I am always happy in their midst. Whenever I am there, they would jump up for joy and cheerfully shout 'Mummy is here, Mummy is here.' That is a pleasant surprise and a source of strength for me.

On Child Care Trust:

I have always been a charitable person all my life. However, Child Care Trust is the first charity that I have to set up. It was established a year ago and much progress have since been made.

Finance for her charity:

Ideally, Non Governmental Organisations, NGOs, are supposed to raise funds by themselves to carry out their projects. Child Care Trust is doing just that. It is not the role of government to set up charities and therefore not its duty to finance them. Government interference in NGOs can always create room for abuse one way or the other.

Women empowerment:

Women play vital roles in society. The more they can explore their potentials the better it is for community. So I am an exponent of women empowerment. I campaign for it nationally and internationally.

For instance, I am happy that many wives of the state governors see me as a source of inspiration and I can never be tired of motivating them to do the right things for their society.

Some of them even run NGOs that are doing far more than mine. I constantly listen to them and offer whatever support and advice where necessary. The irony is that there is more focus on my charity maybe because I am the First Lady. But we all are working for a common goal.

Recent trip to Britain:

We came here to attend the Caribbean Expo 2001 to which we were invited. We had a stand there to showcase Nigeria. The Caribbean Islands have mastered the art of tourism and the huge foreign benefits that accrues from the industry, so we feel that time has come for us in Nigeria to address other sources of revenue for our petrol-dominated economy.

As a well-travelled lady, I believe so much in tourism. And our government is taking the issue very seriously. That was why the Tourism Agency was set up to seek ways of improving the state of tourism in the country. Nigeria is a huge nation with a vast collection of natural tourist attractions to show off to the rest of the world. We want foreign investment that tourism generates, so we are prepared to ensure the safety, security and recreation for tourists visiting the country.

State of the nation:

Things are changing for the better in Nigeria. The economy is becoming more and more open to privatisation and liberalisation. Several radio/TV licences have been issued to private investors and telecommunications is also improving with the GSM project. The moribund infrastructures, caused by years of mal-administration, are now being refurbished or totally overhauled.

Security to lives and property is also receiving prompt attention through adequate funding and motivation. This government is committed to uplifting and developing the country. But, unfortunately, there are forces within who are unwilling to see it happen. You know who they are, but they cannot stop us from doing what we feel is good for the people.

Assessment of Nigeria's High Commissioner to the UK, Prince Bola Ajibola:

He is top class. No doubt.

On how she wants to be remembered:

Oh, I would want to be remembered for my charitable work. I am someone who cares for needy children and the underprivileged, and if I could be remembered for such good deeds it would be very nice.

Alaba Yusuf is a London-based International Publicist and Publisher of Noble People Charity & Role Models Magazine.
This interview was first published in the magazine's issue number 4, in the year 2001. And may the humble souls of the Bellview Plane crash at Lisa Village, Ogun State, all rest perfectly in the eiderdown of the Lord?