In this interview, conducted and published in May 2005, (seven months before her death in a plane crash) Bimbo Odukoya, (now late) spoke on parenting, especially motherhood. That she did what she did through her television programme Singles and Married , she said, had everything to do with the upbringing her mother gave to her and her siblings. More in this interview...

Her words: “My mother, Mrs. Anike Williams is a wonderful person, one of the best moms in the world. When I was younger I didn't realize that being a virgin was key to the platform the Lord was going to give to me. I look back at all the values I learnt from her and I give God all the glory.

My mother is my role model in sexual purity. She married my father as a virgin and he always presented her as a standard before my sisters and I. My father used to tell us that since he married her as a virgin, we had no reason not to marry as virgins. She is a faithful and devoted wife to my father.

A retired nurse, my mother brought us all up to imbibe good manners, prop­er etiquette, integrity and character as core values. My mom was strict with us when we were young but she was also loving and whenever we wanted special favours from our father, we always went to him through her. Her strictness protected me from a lot of peer pressure and vices of the society. However, she balanced it beautifully by always being there for us.

"A hardworking woman, my mother made sure that all her children (my two senior sisters, two younger brothers and I fully participated in the household chores; we swept, cooked, washed our clothes etc. She was a disciplinarian and could not tolerate laziness or rudeness from any of us. My mother taught us that diligence and hard work is one of the- vital keys to success.

"My mother is a very pretty and fashionable woman and my youthful looks and creative nature are from her, in fact when she was younger, people thought she was my elder sister. My mother and I are very close and I remember that when I gave my life to Christ, she was the first person that I preached to.

She is a homely woman and does not keep too many friends; just a few close friends and my father remains her best friend. She is peaceful, God-fearing and very prayerful.

A child is a product of his/her environment and because I grew up under the nurturing of a wonderful woman of virtue, she set a very high standard for us and encouraged my siblings and I to do much more. I love my mother dearly."

... My mother is my role model in sexual purity. She married my father as a virgin... My father used to tell us that since he married her as a virgin, we had no reason not to marry as virgins...

What is your definition of motherhood?
The saying “The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world” is meant to be a tribute to the powerful influence of the mothers.

Motherhood is a divine assignment- the highest calling of a woman and is the most significant contribution she can ever make to the world. Since it is a God-given assignment, her reward from God often comes later in life. Motherhood therefore is both a demanding and rewarding profession.

Motherhood requires a woman's diligent preparation, foremost commitment, full energies, greatest creativity, total dependence on God through prayers, constant activity, progressive achievement, loyalty, excellence and responsibility.

Motherhood therefore is not for slothful, unimaginative and incapable women. The mother in the home has been described as the "angel in the home" because of the great service she is doing for mankind, the foundation on which all else is built. A mother is said to build something far more magnificent than any cathedral. No professional pursuit so uniquely com­bines the most menial tasks with the most meaningful opportunities.

No one, not teacher, preacher or psychologist, has the same opportunity to mould nurture bodies and develop potential usefulness like a mother because the result of really competent mothering will be passed from generation to generation.

Products in the market place may come and go but a mother affects generations. Children need their mother to set good examples for them. They need her to pay attention to their issues, to support, guide, listen, love and show affection.

Napoleon was asked, what 'could be done to restore the prestige of France ? He replied, give us better mothers. Timothy Dwight, former president of Yale said all that I am and all that I shall be I owe to my mother.