Teju Philips
Chief Teju Philips, former commissioner in Lagos State, is a director in Keystone Bank. A chartered accountant who worked with UAC for a decade before she delved into public service. She studied in England where she qualified as an accountant. She is also a unique socialite who believes in marriage institution. She spoke to Senior Reporter, ANTHONIA SOYINGBE, on what it takes to be a successful woman. Excerpts:
What is the secret behind your ageless look?
There must be something in my gene; nature bestowed this attribute to me and I try to be contented with whatever life has brought to me.
How are you enjoying life now that you are a grandmother?
I am enjoying every bit of it and it is a good thing. It also makes you look forward to the future. It is getting tougher and tougher to exist and it is not only when you have money that things comes your way, there are too many parameters that you have to consider. I just sit down and reflect because these are moments of reflections, consolidations and gratitude to God. I am not a docile person and I believe there are so many ways I can still contribute to the development of people. If the impetus is there, you want to continue and give the best of yourself to humanity in terms of service.
So you mean you still have things to offer humanity?
Yes I do.
What are some of the things you still have in mind as regards service?
It is simply service.
What kind of service if I may ask further?
Service entails applying yourself to the need of people as long as it is possible for you. I have the ultimate ambition to serve if I am given the opportunity. I also recognise the need of people because this is the yearning for me. I also see the need for people to be assisted.
You are from a privileged background, how come you have a heart for the people?
I schooled in boarding school from a young age so I lived with people. These things are innate and I am a lover of people, this is just who I am. I deal with high and low. This act of mine is also inherited because people in my family are also like this. I don’t see any big deal in that because I feel for the people.
You are a society woman.
(cuts in) there is nothing wrong in being a society woman but it depends on the terminology you give it. I am a socialite, I am good mixer and I mix very well across the board. This I think is the positive side of it. If you have a negative description about it, I certainly don’t belong to that. I love being with people, I love doing things for people and I am easy going. I think because one is fashionable too, you want to live with your people too and I don’t see anything wrong with that.
You are one of the very few society women who have been able to keep their homes intact despite the glamour out there. What is the secret behind this?
The secret behind this is the fact that I had a goal the minute I entered marriage. I have said it severally that marriage to me is like a contract. When you get a contract you make sure you complete it and give it all that it takes. Be a good homemaker, love, integrity, passion, understanding, patience, realising that life is give and take. These are some of the ingredients you need in making a good home.
Can you tell me how you have applied patience in your home?
Even as siblings you have good and bad times. When the bad times come, you try to be patient with each other. You understand the person and know when to take in the bad times. I don’t want to delve into some things. You just have to give each other the momentum it takes and you have to do everything possible to make that marriage thrive. The only time one can be exonerated from any trial is when it comes to life. If it is not snuffing life out of you, then there is no harm in trying that.
You are one blunt woman; hope you don’t have issues with male politicians as regards your stance on issues?
Men are all like that. Unless one swallows the hard pill, you would walk out but I am not walking out neither would give up. I am still interested in ensuring to pull some up.
Some many women are being labeled negatively once they get to the peak of their career, what are some of the challenges you encountered before you got to the peak of your career?
As a female, you are managing your career now, would you think what they are saying about you is true? All those things are nonsensical and just forget about that. People of little mind because of their exposure would talk rubbish but just leave them and let them talk. Don’t buy that because it is belittling of womanhood. Hardwork and there is no short cut. As far as I am concerned hardwork and diligence will take you to the peak of your career.
How challenging was it combining your role as a career woman and a mother?
Fortunately for me by the time I got married I was a professional accountant. I ensured that the home front was looked after. I took good care of my husband and my children. My children were already adults when I went into politics.
You are an extrovert while your husband is an introvert. How is he coping with this?
It hasn’t been a problem at all because we have tried to understand each other and we have made allowances.
Trust is the principal thing in relationships, how were you able to build trust in your marriage?
Trust means believing each other and not entertaining any iota of doubt. It also entails making allowances beyond reasonable doubts. Trust encompasses ability to believe and show honesty and integrity. The only way to build trust is to believe each other and don’t listen to negative remarks. Stand by your man and stand by your woman.