'THE LIFE STORY OF ONE PERSON I ADMIRE' By 'Yemi

Essay written in 1999

You will not find her name in “The International Who is Who,” or in any “Hall of Fame,” but Francisca Bamidele is one person who has touched the lives of many and who fills me with admiration.

Standing about 5 feet three inches tall, “F.B,” as she is fondly called, is plump, with a round smiling face. Silver haired but still unbent, she has a quiet, gentle expression.
F.B was born in Mopa, Kogi State in 1936. She was educated at SIM school, Mopa, between 1951 and 1954 and in 1957, she obtained the Grade II Teachers Certificate. By this time, Joseph Adetoro, a dashing young student of the University College, Ibadan, was ardently wooing her. He had a very hard time winning the cautious F.B, but in 1959, they were married.

A very strong woman, F.B faced life with a resilience that helped her in trying circumstances like the tragic loss of her first born child in 1960.

In 1962, the young couple traveled to Britain; Joseph for Post-Graduate studies and F.B for a course in Library Science at the Birmingham College of Commerce (now Aston University).

The Adetoros returned to Nigeria in 1965 with F.B taking up appointment as Assistant Librarian at the University of Lagos library where she rapidly rose to the position of Senior Librarian before leaving in 1968 for full time business.

By 1969, Joseph had become the Federal Minister of Health but F.B remained a simple, humble woman. Hordes of friends and relatives found succour under her roof. Her in-laws were always warmly treated and she ensured that none went away dissatisfied.

F.B’s husband has complete confidence in her. She encouraged him to invest in land and ensured their development. A woman of integrity, he had no qualms about their operating joint accounts and she has never abused this arrangement.

A deeply committed Christian, one experience that bolstered her faith in God, was the near loss of her husband in 1970. For several weeks after a motor accident, he lay comatose as doctors battled to save his life, but F.B hung on in anguished prayer and he miraculously pulled through.

She stood solidly behind her husband with love and encouragement even after his abrupt retirement by the Muritala regime and also demonstrated patience and tolerance as he dabbled into spiritualism and the occult.

F.B’s patience has however been rewarded. None was more thankful as she watched her man step forward in February 1999, to receive his Diploma from the Life Foundation Bible College and in a moving tribute to her, he testified to her fortitude.

Today,

I, in F.B's arms

she is a contented grandmother. Her life has been an inspiration to her children and I feel privileged to have been borne by such a woman, for yes indeed, F.B is my mother and I will strive to pass on to my own progeny, the F.B legacy of godliness and dependability.