Eugenia Abu tells women not to put off marriage and kids for work

Veteran broadcaster Eugenia Abu has shared advice for young women wanting to be journalists like her.

Ms Abu was a guest speaker at the David and Goliath Conference. This event took place at the Holy Trinity Event Centre in Maitama, Abuja, on 26 May.

The mother of six said the biggest risk in her career was marrying and having children while working as a broadcaster with the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA. She married her husband, Thomas Abu, in 1983, and they have six children.

Among her children, a pair of twins named Oiza and Meyi became popular on social media for their singing, guitar playing, and freestyling. They later moved on to act in Nollywood films.

Speaking to the audience, Ms Abu, known for her role as a former News Anchor and Correspondent for NTA, mentioned that many aspiring female journalists struggle to choose between their careers and family life. She had all her children while she worked at NTA.

Ms Abu said some see this as a risk, but she views it as a positive choice. "I married my husband, who is my best friend, and he has been beside me now for 42 years and has supported my career."

She continued, "I have my children, whom I can run to. They are my values. When I finish all the wahala in NTA, and I want to go home, I know that I have children whose homework I have to help with, who come to me at the door and welcome me."

She encouraged the women not to delay marriage, saying that time may not be on their side. "Don’t say as a woman, I have a career. I don’t want to marry now. I don’t want to have children now. You don’t have time. I got married quite early, and it has been valuable to me."

Ms Abu added, "So don’t do those things that will minus you. They’ll waste your time. Concentrate on building your family early in life."

Talking about life after broadcasting, Ms Abu, now retired, set up the Eugenia Abu Media Centre in 2018. This centre is a place for reading and mentoring young Nigerian creatives in Abuja.

On life after retirement, she said many people sometimes feel lost. "If you don’t do it right now, you won’t have something you will do afterwards."

She advised, "Have courage. Be humble. Hard work always helps."