The title of this fairly long interview conducted for Emotan magazine for our Vol. 3 No. 2 issue, February 1980 – cover below – were the words of Dr. Marie-Therese Basse of Senegal. The “something” to be sacrificed, according to the distinguished recipient of “Woman of the Year Award – a very prestigious award for women back then: “if it’s not your family, it has be you.”
The interview was conducted specially for Emotan by Doreen Alexander Russello. Dr. Basse’s words of caution/advice to other women back then are as true then as they are today. Men can also gain a lot from Ms. Basse’s very accomplished husband. TOLA.
- One of the lovely girls from the Precola Devore School of Charm, Washington, D.C. who appeared on Emotan’s covers and the fashion pages in the late 70s and 80s.
Page 1
Page 2
Page 3: Ms. Basse with her husband, Ambassador Basse
And a couple of ads showing prices of goods in Nigeria in the early 80s, prices that, by today’s standards, are surreal. In 1980, one Nigerian Naira (N1) exchanged for U.S.$1.80+; I’ll photocopy pages of a couple of passports one of these days to see how the Naira has been destroyed beginning with Babangida regime. Today, one greenback ($1.00) will get N160+. Do the Math, as an American saying goes.
If you are reading this and have a drink in hand AND – you are under 45, p -l-e-a-s-e drop the drink. Cheers, I still must say.
A waffle/sandwich grille for N70! A heavy-duty kitchen center for N180 (yeah, I had one which I sold for N300 (at a profit) in 1988 before checking out with "Andrew")!! How 'bout a lawn mower for N280??? Now, how many young kids in their 20s just starting out after university KNOW you once could buy a char-B-Que that uses electricity, that is if they've ever seen one! My eyes are long dried from crying for Nigeria.
With President Jonathan's new price regime for gasoline set to drive ogi (corn pap) beyond the reach of a university grad, the only thing "elegant" may be studying the picture of these lovely young professionals savoring tea. The price of a tin of tea for 75 Kobo may get you sweaty as you wonder if you are okay - your eyes, or, even upstairs, pardon me!
And so, dear readers, to spare you further pains I must say good night/good morning/good day with Joy Girl taking a soak; mercifully, the price is not displayed but I can volunteer it – not as punishment but to have a complete story: 15 kobo/22 kobo.
TOLA, January 4, 2012.
Joy Girl on the Outside Back Cover (OBC) of Emotan, February 1980
AND, SO, we arrive at the end of the last of the four great African women featured this week. Thanks.