Years ago in Alausa, Ikeja, at a time when a serious misunderstanding arose between me and a young King, and no one seemed able to resolve it, I was taken to meet a woman whose presence alone commanded order, calm, and respect, and that was Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji.
She listened carefully, observed deeply, and she spoke with calm authority.
She told me I was a very great woman. Then she leaned closer and gave me counsel that has stayed with me ever since. She said that a powerful woman sometimes chooses to let go, not out of weakness, but to allow a great man maintain his public pride. According to her, a man who truly understands your strength will carry that awareness within him and will never treat you carelessly again.
She went further to say that from everything she had learned about me and my father, I came from a noble pedigree. She told me I had a place in her heart and that I was welcome to come to her anytime I needed guidance.
She then called for the King (HRM. Hawe S. James). In his presence, she handled the matter with remarkable balance. She asked him to apologize and reminded him that I had endured a lot, but that I was not weak. She described me as pure, yet firm, someone who would defend herself and would no longer tolerate disrespect, intimidation or harassment.
What stood out was not just the apology, but what followed. She brought both of us together and instructed that we should return to see her regularly. Despite the large number of people waiting outside, she sat with us, shared fruits, prayed for us, and blessed us.
That day, I witnessed what true influence looks like. It was not loud. It was not forceful. It was firm, wise, and deeply rooted in character.
Today, that experience connects powerfully with what the world is witnessing as her son, President Ashiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is formally received by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
This moment did not happen overnight. It reflects a journey that has spanned over three decades. It has endured criticism, opposition, and sustained waves of propaganda. Yet, despite all that, this historic visit has taken place.
That is how legacy works. It is not built in comfort. It is built through persistence, through resistance, and through the ability to remain focused when distractions are many.
What I see today is more than a state visit. I see the continuation of a foundation laid by a woman who understood leadership at its core. A woman who knew when to correct, when to unite, and when to elevate others without diminishing herself.
As the day draws to a close, let this remain with you: a noble pedigree cannot be bought with money. It reveals itself through character, sustained by discipline, and proven through the consistency of one’s journey. And when it is firmly established, no opposition, no noise, and no manufactured narrative can delay or deny the moment it is destined to rise.
Prof. Sandra Duru
