She is Oluremi Demola Seriki, the first woman and wife in the life of former Minister of State for Interior and Defence respectively, Mr. Demola Seriki. A mother to very successful children, she is a grandmother too. In October 2020, she clocked 60 years. Surprised that she is 60? You need to read her story to know the secrets of this gorgeous looks. The CEO of Remmy’s, a household/beauty store located in the Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping mall, her shop was wickedly looted just a week to her 60th birthday during the ENDSARS crisis in Lagos. Surprisingly, she thanks God for this and has kick-started all over again. She speaks in this interview with OWAMBEVIBES Magazine
Owambevibes: Happy birthday in arrears ma. You look good at 60, are there secrets to looking gorgeous at such an age?
60 years is a long journey but I thank God I could make it to this age. I thank God that I am alive and well. I thank God that all my children, grandchildren and my husband are all alive to witness this new phase of my life and celebrate with me. On the secrets of my looks at 60, I would say its God’s grace because there is nothing special I eat. Could it be due to the fact that I fast a lot? I believe its God’s grace. My father was a clergy and would always advise us to put God first. Moreover, I eat well and would never joke with my fruits. I am so particular about what goes into me and I also walk a lot.”
Owambevibes: Were you looking forward to your 60th birthday?
Yes, I looked forward to my 60th birthday and kept praying to God to spare my life to see that day. At a point, I almost became afraid because people say all sorts of things about some evil occurrence before one’s special day. I always rebuked that and prayed against such. But a week to my 60th birthday, something happened and I knew it was God’s way of warding off evil in my life.
Owambevibes: What happened?
My shop, Remmy’s , is situated inside Adeniran Ogunsanya Shopping mall aka Shoprite. Exactly a week to my birthday, my shop was looted from top to bottom! Nothing was spared! Initially, when I entered, I shouted. But something spoke to me about God delivering me from evil and I started saying , ‘Its well.” I started laughing and kept saying, “its well.” I have been through tougher situations in life and I sailed through. So, this was the evil I was afraid of before my 60th birthday ? I thanked God that none of my staff was injured and I was also spared. My life is intact and that is more important than money or goods. I just thank God.
Owambevibes: Was there anytime you thought you wouldn’t clock 60 years?
Oh! I remember some years ago while I was in the United States of America. I was hale and hearty. I had just finished a meal and I sat down to relax. About 15 minutes later, I started feeling funny in my stomach and I felt a pain. I couldn’t stand up in another 20 minutes, I couldn’t do anything again! It was a terrible pain and if I wasn’t the one who prepared and served the meal, I would have alleged food poisoning. I had to call my neighbor who helped me get an ambulance. Different tests were carried out. I could talk, eat or do anything. On the fifth day, I was asked if I had ulcer and I replied no. I spent almost two weeks at the hospital and was placed only on water. My children were worried. My friends and family members too.Eventually, I got well and I thank God.
Owambevibes: Any regrets at 60?
None. I don’t nurse regrets. Even when my husband married another woman, I remained my humble self. So many people thought that I would walk out of the marriage but I remained. I don’t rely or trust in man, my trust is in God, who gives me everything I ask from Him. I don’t go begging, my children are successful, I am alive and God has been good to me. I am still married to Seriki, we talk, and we don’t have problems. He is a nice man. I just believe that women are their own enemies. You will snatch someone’s husband and still want his wife to pack out of the marriage.
Owambevibes: When did you meet your husband? How did you get married?
I was a 17-year-old and still in school then. He was working at the ministry, while I was having a re-sit for my school leaving certificate examination. By the time I finished my HSC, he travelled to the United States, after which I went to meet him and we were legally married at the registry. Close friends and relatives know us and we have never been separated, estranged or divorced. He is my first love and I have chosen to love him, all odds notwithstanding. He was the first man I knew in life and who I gave my youth. Seriki knows that I don’t care about other women as long as he is nice to me and he has really being nice to me. So, I am happy and going about my businesses.
Owambevibes: What will be your advice to married women who are challenged one way or the other in their homes?
They should be empowered financially. When you have a good job /business/career, you cannot suffer in marriage. Marriages are good in Nigeria but women aren’t treated nicely.We can’t all be divorced but make sure you are financially independent and ensure your kids get quality education.
Owambevibes: At 60, what life lessons are in your kitty?
Well, I have learnt not to have many friends.I have learnt to take care of my body very well. I eat good food. Though I was on supplements when I was younger, I stopped and now eat well. I don’t eat too much but I eat good food. I work hard, so what stops me from eating well? Also, I have learnt to be happy, no matter how bad a situation is.If you worry, it would nit change the situation, Instead, talk to God, remain calm and see Him work on your behalf.
Owambevibes: What are you comfortable wearing the most?
I love wearing boubou. Iro and Buba are party attire and then I love wearing jeans and I have a variety of denims. When I was very young, my sister and I were very fashion conscious. In fact, there were many cheap clothes which we could afford and we dressed to kill. That I started having children early was a plus because I was able to recuperate fast after every delivery. There are no bulges and I wear what I like, even now that I am a grandma.
For shoes, I was a stickler for high heeled shoes until I started growing older. Now, I put on reasonably high soles and not the stiletto. The kind of shoes I put on is determined by my clothes.
Owambevibes:Are there particular fabrics you love?
I used to sell laces while in the U.S. I was also into jewellery. By 1992, I was back to Nigeria and was still trading. There was a time I went back abroad to help my daughter baby-sit while she was studying at Harvard. Do I love laces? Well, I am an African woman and we attend occasions a lot. That makes a substantial part of my wardrobe full of lace fabrics. I love colours like pink, white and other subtle colours. With native, I don’t really go with the trends, I go for elegance. For jewellery, I go for bold pieces and I never keep any at home. With fashion, a woman must be confident and knows what works with her body and personality. Despite the fact that I love wearing jeans, I would not dress like a 16-year-old. I am 60 and I must elegantly dress . I hate indecency and wear things that fit me.
Owambevibes: What do you apply on your beautiful skin?
I don’t apply bleaching creams. I use cleanser, lots of moisturizers, sunscreens and I drink lots of water. I eat lots of fruits too.
