Once upon a time, Quincy Ayodele was a regular on television, particularly, on NTA. Her herbal remedies to quick weight loss and the everyday use of plants for wellness quickly made her a household name.

Having helped many women(and men) get back in shape, Quincy has taken a back seat and has brought in her medical doctor daughter, Tobi Ayodele-Keeney to run the Herbal clinic.

But, how does one transit from orthodox medicine to alternative medicine, Tobi Ayodele-Keeney, knew exactly what to do- she drew a bridge across, and the marriage of the two is thriving far more than many marriages.

Allure’s Temitope Ojo spoke to the mother and daughter duo, on the transition, and she got helpful tips, yes, you got it, herbal remedies for diabetes.

QUINCY SUMBO AYODELE
Quincy Sumbo Ayodele needs little or no introduction in herbal medicine practice. Aside from pioneering herbal slimming in Nigeria, she is the pioneer Secretary-General for traditional medicine in Nigeria and an adviser for the development of African traditional medicine to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Was it a conscious thing on your part for your children, especially Tobi, your first, to come into your business?
Yes. I have always told my children that it doesn’t matter what their educational discipline is, they will eventually join the family business – Quincy Herbals. My children grew up with me and had told from day one when they started
hearing words that, I will send them to school,: ‘You can become whatever you want to because that’s your own choice, but when you finish with your education, you’re coming to join me in this business’. So thank God that Tóbi graduated as a medical practitioner, which is so relevant and useful for the business.

What are those things you did to prepare her for this role she has taken on?
Right from her childhood, she has always helped me in the factory, making medicinal plants preparations. I usually take her with me to fetch raw medicinal plants from the bush, telling her their names and uses, including dosage. I also taught her how to identify different medicinal plants.

Do you sometimes nurse any fear that your shoes might be “too big” for her to wear, in terms of what you’ve been able to achieve?
My shoes “too big” for her? Not at all. Growing up, Tobi has always been a very active and energetic child. She is my firstborn, so I brought her up for the leadership role ahead, to enable her to take up the huge responsibilities in the family. With the help of the Almighty God, during my absence, she was responsible for the upkeep of her younger siblings throughout their school years in the United States.

What was her growing up days like?
A very active child, very brilliant in school (she was an A student), inquisitive, restless and very creative.

Describe Tobi in three words?
Tobi is Creative, inquisitive and hardworking.

When she first told you she was dating a white man, what was your reaction? and did you think it would end in married?
When she first told me she was dating a white man, my initial answer was ‘no’. But with prayers and knowing Tobi with her right judgemental qualities, I later agreed to give her hand in marriage, to the loving white American guy she brought home to marry. It’s been 10 years being an in-law to him.

what’s been the experience?
I thank God that he is in our family for the past 10 years. Trevor is a very loving husband to my daughter and a caring son-in-law to us. He loves everything in Nigeria, and has since relocated to Nigeria and settled fully. He eats Nigerian foods, especially Ewedu and Eba. He loves our culture. He wears Nigerian clothes, and above all, he is a born-again Christian and an Usher in church. I love him so much. He is my son from another mother.

What would be your advice for parents whose children want to go into interracial marriage?
My advice for parents is to commit their children’s decision to God’s hands and give their full parental support, to make the marriage a lifetime success.

You still have a radiant skin at your age. What do you eat to maintain your skin and keep fit?
I’m a natural person to the core. This gum I am chewing is a herbal chewing gum. I’m attracted to natural things. I eat a lot of vegetables and take a lot of selected fruits, because it is not all fruits that should be taken by some people. But vegetable should be taken by most people. And I’m very active because I still do my housework with my house girl. When I have the time, I exercise. I eat healthily and I don’t buy food from eateries. Thank God I have my daughter with me, she doesn’t allow me even eat off guard. She’s natural person, even more than me. She makes sure everyone eats healthily, and she makes us drink a lot of water at a stipulated time. In our house, we must finish eight bottles of water, whether you like it or not. And we have all gotten used to it.

By – Temitope Ojo