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Hilda Adefarasin in the mainstream cycles is popularly regarded as a Nigerian women’s rights activist and former president of the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS). Though that is not incorrect a description, it is however well incomplete. The name Adefarasin in itself rings a bell in different terrains, but especially in the Christian domain and to many Nigerians that have concerns for the ‘Who is Who’ and ‘What is What’ in the spheres of Christian activities (and some philanthropically oriented) in the country Nigeria. The easiest clue to the name at the moment could be linked to a Pastor (it could be any of two options or both), and rightly so. But this write-up is actually about the generation before the popular Pastors. It is about the ‘Blessed Art Thou Amongst Women’ that begat them. It is about the Mother, the Queen, the Humanized Epitome of Elegance: Hilda Adefarasin.

Hilda Adefarasin: A Little Above What Words Can Say

Adefarasin was born in Lagos to the family of Wilfred and Ethel Petgrave in 1925. Though both of her parents were of Caribbean descent, Hilda was Nigerian by Birth. Her father worked with the Nigerian Railway in Lagos. Growing up, Adefarasin attended CMS Girls Secondary, School and Achimota College, Ghana. In 1945, she became pupil-midwife with Massey Street Hospital but in 1948, she travelled to England for further training where she qualified as a registered nurse in 1951. In 1960, she was a founding member and secretary of the Professional Association of Trained Nurses of Nigeria and soon joined the National Council of Women’s Societies as a representative of nurses. In 1971, she became the council’s treasurer and was in the position until 1980. In 1984, Adefarasin succeeded Justice Nzeako as president of NCWS. Her selection continued a string of educated elite women president of NCWS. Adefarasin felt the forum was as an association of varied women with diverse professional interests who create awareness for women’s recognition in national life and nation-building. The NCWS during her tenure promoted an Expanded Programme on Immunization and operational theatres for young girls with Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF). Focused, diligent and determined, Hilda Adefarasin forsook the vast opportunities and prestige, being a registered nurse offered her to focus on the responsibilities the National Council for Women Societies placed on her shoulders. She left her nursing profession in 1969 to concentrate on the professional activities of the NCWS. In 1971, she was the council’s treasurer and in 1987, she became the president.

A fact that cannot be overlooked in the life of Hilda Adefarasin is the magnitude and capacity of her heart. As a characteristic of every sacrificial mother, she sacrificed her comfort, resources and what have you, for the sake of her Son’s ministry; House on the Rock. The ministry of global repute started from the living room of Mrs Hilda Adefarasin. She opened her heart and her home to the beginning of a mission that has touched so many lives.

She was married to Justice Tunji Adefarasin. She is the mother of two Pastors: Paul and Wale Adefarasin. According to some cycles, Hilda Adefarasin, is rightly and should be remembered as A Mother to a Godly Era. An appellation that is worthy of such a woman or rather, a woman that is worthy of such an appellation.

She was one out of two women who were nominated by President Ibrahim Babangida as members of the 1986 Political Bureau. Hilda Adefarasin is currently 94 years old.

Sources:

Lovingmebefore.blogspot

Wikipedia

Ige, titilayo (November 26, 2014). “ADEFARASIN, Hilda”. notablenigerians.com.

Amadiume, Ifi (2000). Daughters of the Goddess, Daughters of Imperialism: African Women Struggle for Culture, Power and Democracy. Zed Books. pp. 54–55.

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