RUTH BENEMASIA-OPIA: I MISS BEING PART OF THE BREAKING NEWS

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You work in the oil sector now, what is your job description?

I am Community Relations Manager. It is my job to see that my company and community are on the same page regarding our joint aspiration to see that the company’s social license to operate is not threatened. Also, that our vision to impact positively the growth and development of the Brass Island community is achieved.

You have been out of broadcasting and public glare for about 10 years, what is the comparison between the corporate world and broadcasting world?

Without a doubt, the corporate world is fiercely competitive, stiff, but invariably pays more than the ministry where I came from. Ambition rules the day and nothing should be taken at face value.

Do you miss broadcasting, what do you miss most?

Yes – unashamedly do. I used to miss being part of the immediacy of breaking news. The rush, of
having the news unfold from your/our NTA news desk. I miss the exclusivity of knowing the authenticity of a news story and being the one to break it. Social media has robbed us of that with every hand held device being able to video the action.

If you look back at your days in broadcasting and now, would you say there was more professionalism and appeal of the news and newscaster?
Definitely there was more professionalism! The edge we had was there wasn’t the proliferation of stations as we have today.

Our love and passion for the job kept our adrenalin pumping. Many of those the Nigerian viewing public adjudged to be very good on air, you will find had been on Radio Nigeria at one time or the other. You couldn’t just go on air without understudying an older hand. Even if you had raw talent, you were eased in slowly. The standard English then was British. After all “we are British”.
There was the odd American trained journalist now and then but even they came with a lot of candour and professional edge and comportment. No slangs and street language in a belt – news- that is formal

You have two lovely daughters and two equally wonderful sons, how do you manage four giving equal attention, love self and work?

My faith. Also, women are specially wired like that.
Being a single mom must have been tough, how did you manage that -and achieve work, life balance?
Again my faith. A supportive family and loyal friends. One of those loyal friends – a single mom herself, sent me  the next quote on father’s day this year- “HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO ALL THE SINGLE MOTHER’S PULLING DOUBLE DUTY”!.

Your daughters seem to have followed your line-professionally. The broadcaster and actress, did you in any way influence their choice?
Not for one moment. I had no say in their choices. Their choices came naturally. I have come to believe that God puts professions in a family. You don’t have to look too far to know what line your child will follow. Even if your parent is illiterate, there is a talent in them that is more often than not God improves on and takes to the next level in an ofspring. I have art in my line. Both in drawing and entertainment. Their father has sport, entertainment (he managed a band in America in his colourful past).

How do you feel seeing them all grown up and having their own lives. Do you feel like the mother- hen, wanting to protect and guide them-imposing your will?

Imposing my will? No! protecting and guiding… especially in the Christian faith, yes.

Apart from work, how do you spend your time these days?
I go to parties, read Christian literature, and go to church programmes, laugh and gist with friends. You had long dreadlocks, which you cut off ,and now you are back on dreads, it looks as if you have an enduring love for dreadlocks? What is the appeal?
Easy and cheap to maintain – Ha! Ha! Ha!

In those days, you wore the most sexy micro minis, do you wear an abridged version now, or you never into shorts anymore?
A few more kilos have cramped my style in that area.

When you see young ladies like your daughters  in micro minis or bum shorts, do you feel a sense of dejavu. Like, yeah, i did that?
I just laugh and think….oh! to be young and carefree.

Your daughters are yet to marry, does that worry you?
No. Not particularly. In God’s time. He makes everything beautiful. They are not out of the world’s idea of the marriage corridor yet, if there is such a thing.

What is your philosophy?
A soft word turneth away reproach. Do unto others what you want done to you and be the best that you can be.

What is your style prefrence these days?

Young, simple and sometimes conservative if I can help it. That’s because I fancy myself a bit eclectic at heart.

Do you relate with your daughter more as sisters and friends, or do you maintain the mother is always right attitude?

All of the above approaches I adopt, depending on the situation.

What future are you looking up to-professionally, emotionally and familywise?

I shall keep that information to myself. I mustn’t give everything away.

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