Veteran broadcaster and former Executive Director of Programmes at the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Eugenia Abu, has encouraged young women, particularly aspiring journalists, to pursue family life alongside their careers, insisting that marriage and motherhood should not be viewed as obstacles to professional success. Abu gave the advice recently in her capacity as a guest speaker at the David and Goliath Conference held at the Holy Trinity Event Centre, Maitama, Abuja. She reflected on her personal journey, revealing that she successfully balanced a demanding broadcasting career with raising six children. The former NTA news anchor and correspondent said many young female professionals often feel pressured to choose between building a successful career and starting a family, a dilemma she believes should not exist. According to her, she married her husband, Thomas Abu, in 1983, and the couple have remained together for 42 years, raising six children while she advanced through the ranks of the nation's largest television network. “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 said. Abu noted that having children while actively working at NTA was not a disadvantage but one of the greatest sources of fulfilment in her life. “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 added. The veteran journalist advised young women against postponing marriage and childbirth solely in pursuit of career advancement, warning that time may not always 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. “So don’t do those things that will minus you. They’ll waste your time. Concentrate on building your family early in life,” she advised. Abu also shared lessons from her life after retirement, stressing the importance of preparing for life beyond active employment. Since retiring from broadcasting, she has dedicated herself to mentoring young Nigerians through the Eugenia Abu Media Centre, a reading and mentorship hub for creatives established in Abuja in 2018. Speaking on retirement, she said many professionals struggle with finding purpose after leaving active service, urging individuals to develop interests and projects that can sustain them beyond their careers. “If you don’t do it right now, you won’t have something you will do afterwards,” she said. She further encouraged young professionals to embrace humility, courage and diligence as essential ingredients for long-term success. “Have courage. Be humble. Hard work always helps,” Abu added.
