A retired lawyer and former Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs and Excise (Nigeria Customs Service), 80-year-old Chief Moses Ewuyemi, tells THE PUNCH about his life
When and wherewere you born?
I was born on July 16, 1934 at Iwopin in Ogun State.
How was growing up like?
I grew up in a large family. My father had six wives and many children. Growing up was very pleasant because everything was plentiful. One felt very comfortable. I grew up in the rural area up till 1949. My father, Chief Disu Ewubajo Ewuyemi, was a customary judge, and my mother, Munirat Banke Ewuyemi, was a successful businesswoman in Iwopin. She travelled to many parts of the country, including Lagos, to buy goods. She tried her best to make me happy and comfortable.
Where did you school?
I attended St. Peters Primary School, Iwopin, from 1942-1949. My late brother was living in Ijebu Ode then. I relocated to Ijebu Ode where I continued my education at Ansarudeen School, Ijebu Ode, in 1949. I later attended Olu-Iwa College, Ijebu Ode (now known as Adeola Odutola College), from 1950 to 1955. After that, I worked briefly at Government Press, in the Ministry of Information, Old Western Region, Ibadan in 1956. In September, 1963, I gained admission into the University of Ife, Ibadan campus, where I studied Law and bagged an LL.B in 1966. From there, I proceeded to the Nigerian Law School. I was called to the bar What’s your recollection of the civil war?
The civil war was a terrible period. Ojukwu withdrew all his tribesmen and most Igbos travelled back to their states in the East. But nobody is indispensable and his so-called withdrawal did not have much economic effect on the country.and registered as solicitor and advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1967.How did you meet your wife?
I met her when I was working in the Government Press, Ibadan. Then, I was staying with a friend until I rented my apartment in Agbeni, the same area my wife was living at that time. I saw her when she was returning from a church service and I spoke with her. That was how we became friends and I found out where she lived. Then, she was on holidays from school. The moment I saw her, I knew from instinct that she was going to be my wife. And I made up my mind that she was the one I would marry because I saw in her everything I needed in a woman. This included beauty and character. My wife passed on in February, this year. I miss her a lot.
When did you get married?
I got married in 1959. I had my first child a year later in 1960. I was 26 when I got married.
Why did you marry so early in life?
I got married early because first of all, I come from a fairly good and comfortable family. Secondly, I am the only surviving child of my mother. My mother had three children but the first two did not survive. My mother dotted on me, and even though my father had six wives, he was so much in love with my mum and she was his confidante. Also, my mother was a very successful businesswoman and did well for herself. Then, she put pressure on me to get married on time. I already had two children before I finished from the university. Thank God my mother was a woman of means. She put up a bungalow for me so that I would have an apartment to stay before I completed my course in the university. I built my own house later in life.
You were married for 55 years. What will you say is the secret of a successful marriage?
The secret of a successful marriage is truthfulness and faithfulness. You must be faithful and truthful to your wife. Let your yes be yes and no be no. Also, because I came from a polygamous home, I made up my mind that I would not marry more than one wife. God helped me to make a choice in my wife and I was happy to stay with her. My job involved a lot of travelling and she was wonderful in keeping the home. My family was also very helpful during those times.
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