Mrs Ngozi-Stella Atinko, a 70-year-old retired teacher, has attributed her life’s achievements and the success of her children to faith in God, prayer, discipline and selflessness.
Atinko, who spoke in Abuja on Sunday while celebrating her 70th birthday, said her unwavering faith in God had remained her greatest source of strength from childhood.
She said her faith became especially important after the death of her husband when their four children were still very young.
“I could not abandon them. I promised my husband that I would not allow them to suffer, whether there was a father or not,” she said.
Atinko said she worked as a teacher while engaging in other activities, including farming and singing at church programmes, to support her family.
She said that in spite of the financial challenges she faced, she remained determined to provide for her three sons and daughter.
“My hope was that He who made the heavens and the earth is able to do all things. That was my first belief and my drive,” she said.
The celebrant also attributed her journey to the values of love and generosity, saying she always shared whatever she had with neighbours and others around her.
“I am not a woman that eats alone. I cook a pot of rice and before you know it, neighbours have dropped their plates. I share with them,” she said.
Atinko said she believed that acts of kindness, no matter how small, were investments that would eventually yield positive results.
She urged Nigerians, especially young people, to live righteous and selfless lives and remain committed to their faith.
“It is good for one to live a righteous life. Believe in your Maker and serve Him faithfully. If you believe, even though some people think it is difficult, it is not difficult,” she said.
Also speaking, her son, Dr Sunday Atinko, a Consultant Urological Surgeon at the National Hospital, Abuja, said his mother’s values shaped his professional and personal life.
He said she taught him to love God, maintain discipline, pursue excellence, avoid cutting corners and uphold integrity and sincerity.
According to him, his mother’s teachings also influenced his approach to medical practice, especially the need to put patients first.
“She taught me to do unto others what you would have them do to you in every situation,” he said.
Dr Atinko advised parents to combine prayers with discipline, love and good examples in raising their children.
He said mothers should continually pray for their children, guide them according to sound values and correct them when necessary.
“What you say should be what you do. What your children see is what they will practise,” he said.
