My mum was once a singer, actress – Jackie Bent

Daily Trust: How does it feel to be the daughter of a famous woman?
Jakie Bent: It’s a mix of both excitement and fulfillment and it’s stressful at times, but for the most part it is definitely amazing. It has opened up many opportunities and I am thankful for having a not-so-ordinary mother that I will always be proud of. Mind you, she has made the stakes high for us, her children.

DT: What are some of the values your mum used while you were growing up that you have imbibed and which will be useful when you get married?
Bent: Growing up, my mother has always been a disciplinarian. She raised us with a lot of strictness while also being subtle. She taught us to respect everyone around us and to be kind and humble. She taught us to believe in ourselves, thereby boosting our self-esteem. She insists on sound education for us and at the same time inculcating native intelligence in us. My mum also raised us to believe in Jesus Christ and God Almighty. So now that we are older, no matter the situation, I turn to God.

DT: How much influence did your mum have on your career choice?
Bent: One thing I have loved the most about my mother is the way she has allowed me to show what my interests and talents are. She discusses with me to find out what I love to do most and has always guided and supported my decisions. She has never imposed anything on me and for that reason I am very confident and focused on my career choices knowing she is always there for me.

DT: Your mum is known to be a quiet person by many. Does your mum ever get angry?
Bent: Hahaha, quiet? I am surprised to hear that actually. My mum is actually a very outspoken extrovert. Angry, yes she does get angry sometimes like any other human being.

DT: Has she ever gotten angry with you? And if yes, what was it for?
Bent: My mum hates laziness, sluggishness, disobedience, dishonesty and injustice. She will fight injustice with the last drop of her blood. She does not undermine anyone and hates to be undermined by anyone. There are other things that get my mum upset but these things get my mum absolutely angry- she basically does not suffer fools gladly. We call her ‘Mama no-nonsense.’

DT: Has being the daughter of a famous woman opened doors for you?
Bent: Absolutely. It has been a blessing; almost everywhere I go my mother’s name kind of automatically draws attention to me. It has helped me get as far as I have and I know it will continue to open doors for me. But my prayer is that I carve a niche for myself that would same way open doors for my children too.

DT: What fond memories do you have of your mum and dad?
Bent: I remember growing up my mum and dad always made sure we enjoyed our birthdays they would cook up surprises for us every year and we would all celebrate together and have a good time.

DT: What is one thing you miss doing with your mum?
Bent: I miss going on vacations and cruises with my mum! We do go on trips every now and then but because I am obviously grown now, it cannot be the same. Like she tells me all the time, ‘you are a big girl now baby.’

DT: How would you describe your mum?
Bent: Describing my mum is a Herculean task because she is a woman of many parts, of many virtues, but simply put, she is a virtuous wife and mother. A very deep thinker, very God fearing, a philanthropist per excellence, she is also a very strong character, a dogged political fighter and a goal-getter. My mother is also very compassionate, a born leader and a political activist. I must mention that my mother is also an amazing fashion icon. My mum is loved by many and hated by a few who don’t believe in her political ideologies, which of course is expected.

DT: What is her social life like?
Bent: She loves to enjoy herself and have fun when she finds the time to. People close to my mum know she is a dance machine and the life of any party. She is ever ready to dance and enjoy herself because she sees dancing as a major form of exercise; my grandmother told me she has always been a great dancer from her childhood. She doesn’t have that many friends but more of her childhood friends and a few political associates that she enjoys her time with.

DT: What are some of her likes and dislikes?
Bent: Like I said, my mum loves to dance, read and she loves the spa. I tease her a lot and tell her I know she would live in the spa if she could. My mum dislikes disloyalty, disrespect, laziness, dishonesty and she hates to be disturbed. With her, you really need to know her well enough so you can gauge her mood to her approach her for anything otherwise you would meet a brick-wall.

DT: What is her favourite meal?
Bent: She is not really into food; I think she is really busy most times she forgets to eat. But when she wants to eat she goes for either rice with lots of plantain, assorted meat, stew and coleslaw.

DT: Her favourite fashion accessory?
Bent: Mum doesn’t joke with her jewelry. She doesn’t leave the house without any on her.

DT: Is she a sports person and if she is what is her favourite sport?
Bent: She loves to dance which she sees as a form of sport and exercise but when she isn’t on the dance floor she hardly has the time for sports. I always encourage her to work out as often as she possibly can. Every now and then we do some light yoga and jogging together. It really relaxes her and gives us time to bond, it is amazing!

DT: While growing up, what was one phrase you mum always used while cautioning you or your siblings?
Bent: My mum would say ‘you cannot kill me oh, I did not kill my mother!’ or ‘you dare not try me!’ when she says that, whatever you were trying to do instantly vanishes.

DT: What kind of books does your mum read?
Bent: I know this sounds cliché, but she reads her bible every day. She also reads a lot of spiritual and inspirational/motivational books too; she loves to read books by T.D. Jakes.

DT: Her favourite television show?
Bent: Mum enjoys watching men/women of God ministrations and Oprah.

DT: Aside having being a senator what other job do you think your mum would have been good at?
Bent: I remember my mum to be into a lot of things at the same time. I call her ‘jack of all trades’ because my mum has done so many things and she has done very well at them. My mum used to sing back in those days, she had an album and I remember my sisters and I would act as her back up dancers when she performed at events. She has been a road marshal before, an actress, TV presenter, dancer, businesswoman, counsellor, and author. At home, she is our doctor, the best at that really. And of course what everyone knows her as, an outspoken and diligent politician.

DT: Is there a misconception about your mum in the society that you would love to correct?
Bent: I think what I would say I would consider a misconception about her is about the way she raised us, her children. Many feel she gives us too much freedom and doesn’t correct us. This is absolutely false. Personally, I think the way my mother has raised us is the best way anyone should raise a child. She gave us the freedom to express ourselves, to learn and better ourselves and she stood by us every step of the way. For that we all have an unbreakable bond with her that many of my mates do not get to have with their parents.