Joke Silva reveals she was adopted by the 'Silva Family'

The 56-year-old veteran, was adopted by the late Chief E.A Silva, a reputable lawyer, the then Babajiro of Lagos and his wife late Dr Abimbola Silva a pioneering female doctor, who died in July 2015.

Panelists at the conference which held in Lagos included a representative from United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Mr. Wilfred Mamah, Mrs. Bridget Ituseli, a counsellor, public speaker, marriage facilitator, teacher and Writer Mrs.Bami Obasanya, who is the Chief Welfare Officer, Child Adoption and Fostering Unit of the Ministry of Youth and Social Welfare, Lagos State, Mr. Oluwatoyin Kotun.

I remembered going out with my cousin and we met a big cousin She introduced me as 'my cousin's daughter and this is Dr Silva's daughter.' Then, the older cousin was like, 'Dr. Silva ke? Se Doctor Silva bimo ni? (meaning does Dr. Silva have a child?) . Did Dr Silva ever has a child?'

I was so confused and when I got home I told my mum, 'I met this lady that says you never had a child.' My mum froze and she said, 'don't mind them, they are used to rubbish talk.'

But I got to know years later when I wanted to travel and was looking for my passport where my mum kept it. Since she was not around, I opened the box in her absence and I saw my adoption papers. I never discussed it with my mum because I felt it was something that would hurt her, that was why, it was kept secret from me.