by Kemisola Filani

When next you want to pass a compliment at veteran actress, Joke Silva, be careful how you put it.

A few days ago, we shared photos from the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Nominee brunch and of course, the happily married actress and mum of one graced our Instagram page.

“The ever young looking @ajokesilva #Redcarpet #AMVCA #NomineeBrunch #JokeSilva” we wrote and she responded with a hearty thank you.

Fans including one @UncleChike further complemented her looks saying “@ajokesilva ….In a world where female role models are hard to find, You stand tall….Respected by all…..You are our “belle’ reine.” Extend my Regards to your husband.”

Silva would however not accept that there are no female role models in Nigeria, so she responded this way: “@unclechike thank you. I will extend your regards. I know you meant to compliment me but I am afraid I cannot accept it in the manner in which it is couched….when people brought the woman caught in adultery to the Lord Jesus Christ and wanted to stone her…He said let him who is without sin cast the first stone….In other words no woman commits adultery on her own…likewise the woman at the well…she had had 5 husbands and was just living with the present man in her life…marriage don tire her….she became the first evangelist in Samaria….fast forward to Nigeria…For every corrupt woman…there are 4+corrupt men….my submission sir it is not difficult to find female role models…you see her early in the morning with a child strapped to her back…selling puf puf …bread….you see her on top of a mammy wagon over laden with produce on the way to the market…you see her in corporate organisations…Most times earning less than her male counterpart but doing more work and she must get home and oversee the family…dear sir the female role model is not hard to find.”

Sola