Hannatu came in for a shoot in Driebergen as part of the Fabulous Over 40 Women's Portrait Campaign. She is a warm, honest and grounded woman and I was super excited for a gorgeous African woman to be in front of my lens, especially with some traditional Nigerian attire.

If your friends/family had to describe you in 3-4 words, what would they say?

Smart, practical joker, caring

What would you say is your best emotional quality?

I listen and try not to speak too quickly.

What is your occupation and how do you spend your free time?

I work as an Accountant and enjoy singing, reading, and watching sci-fi movies or series. As the mother of a toddler at the moment, I have very little free (me) time and when I am not working or taking care of my family, I take long walks though I am rarely alone for that. I also spend time working on my podcast (editing, writing up interview questions etc).

What are you most proud of?

I have lived in four different countries- including my country of birth, but I am most proud of having made it through four IVF cycles and several embryo transfers.

What is your favourite poem, quote or saying?

1. You only live once. 

2. No man is an island.

What advice would you give your 20-year old self looking back?

Live in the moment, every moment.

When you entered your 40's, what did you find were the most significant or poignant changes?

Entering my 40s, I find the emotional changes something to celebrate. I am more resilient and at the same time more sympathetic towards others.

Do you have a story about yourself that you would like to share?

When I was in my 20s, I moved on a whim to a city in England where I did not know anyone. Wandering around the city with my ‘fresh-off-the-boat’ luggage and barely any money in my pocket, I met a stranger in a shop who offered me their couch to sleep on and I took the offer ( 😳 not recommended!). The next day or so, I was walking down the street looking for available house-shares and saw a note on a red door advertising an empty room. The note seemed friendly ( it was signed with hearts). I left my name and number, the host called me back and I moved in that day. She ended up being like an adopted mother and I lived in the house for five years until I moved back to Nigeria.

What are your thoughts on aging?

Aging has a bad reputation which I think is undeserved. It is a blessing to go through different physical and emotional stages in your life, to see growth and change.

Do you still have a dream or big goal that you would love to accomplish?

There is still so much I would like to learn, especially about how technology can make our lives better. I would also like to learn to garden because I am a plant killer at the moment. Exploring the world by traveling more is also on my list of things to do.

Is there anything else that you'd love to share as part of your story?

Something I have learned from my husband is to be of service to those around me. Love is an action word and the more you give of it in the way you treat others, the more of it you feel. It would be a shame to go through life without it.