Oseni, who is Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), made the commitment on Thursday in Ibadan at the flag-off of Pink Month 2025, an initiative of the foundation.

Contained in a statement by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, the lawmaker described the campaign as a “lifesaving mission” given the rising burden of breast cancer in Nigeria, with over 28,000 new cases and thousands of deaths reported annually.

The APC chieftain said the free screening of 1,000 women planned by the foundation was timely, stressing that early detection remained the strongest weapon in the fight against cancer.

Hon. Aderemi Oseni exchanging pleasantries with former Oyo State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Florence Ajimobi, at the event.

“Health is life. Only this June, I moved a motion at the National Assembly which led to the Federal Government subsidising dialysis treatment nationwide. Today, dialysis is either free or heavily discounted in federal health facilities,” Oseni said.

He listed his personal interventions to include funding hospital bills of indigent patients, construction of hospitals in Ido and Ibarapa East, establishment of primary health centres, and organisation of medical outreaches. He also disclosed plans to deploy mobile clinics to rural areas.

Commending Mrs. Ajimobi for sustaining her late husband’s legacy through humanitarian service, Oseni assured of partnership with the foundation, saying women’s wellbeing and empowerment remained central to his vision for Oyo State.

In her remarks, Mrs. Ajimobi said the foundation had offered medical care to over 85,000 patients and conducted more than 100,000 investigations since its inception. She added that the campaign was not just corporate social responsibility but “a moral duty and sacred trust.”

The former first lady, who lost her daughter Abisola to breast cancer earlier this year, said the experience had strengthened her resolve to save other families from such tragedy. She appealed to women to take advantage of the free screening and called on partners and development agencies to support the fight.

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The lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has extended heartfelt felicitations to Mrs. Florence Ajimobi, wife of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, on the occasion of her 65th birthday.

In a statement released by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, Oseni commended Mrs. Ajimobi’s exemplary character, describing her as a beacon of grace, strength, and compassion.

Emphasising her role as a symbol of resilience and unwavering dedication to service, the lawmaker said she remains a source of great inspiration to many Nigerians, as a model of discipline, integrity, resilience, and patriotism.

Oseni, who also serves as the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), highlighted Mrs. Ajimobi’s significant impact during her tenure as the First Lady of Oyo State. He praised her grace and dignity, which he noted left an indelible mark on many hearts.

“As she commemorates this significant milestone, I wish her solace in the embrace of her beloved family, the warmth of cherished friends, and the appreciation of a grateful community,” Oseni expressed.

He acknowledged Mrs. Ajimobi’s tireless efforts to uplift others, her unwavering commitment to noble causes, and her steadfast support for her late husband, Governor Abiola Ajimobi, as sources of inspiration for all.

The APC chieftain lauded Mrs. Ajimobi’s invaluable contributions, boundless generosity, and indomitable spirit, expressing his wishes for continued blessings, robust health, and unrestrained joy in the years ahead.

Oseni maintained that the ex-first lady’s unwavering grace under pressure is a testament to her character, stressing that her legacy will forever radiate brightly in the hearts and minds of those she has touched.

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In his congratulatory message on Friday, the late governor’s aide expressed, “Mrs. Ajimobi, as I know her, is beautiful both in heart and actions”.

Emphasising the former first lady’s strength, compassion, and devoutness, the APC chieftain hailed her as a mobilizer of women,  youth, and a political trailblazer.

Highlighting her philanthropic endeavours, the ex-Council gaffer noted Mrs. Ajimobi’s role as the founder of “Educate a Rural Child,” an NGO that facilitated the construction of six blocks of classrooms and the provision of educational materials for Oloruntedo Village, a rural community in Ido Local Government.

He also lauded her establishment of “A.B.C – Access to Basic Health,” which initially offered free medical services in selected local governments during her tenure as First Lady and has since evolved into a comprehensive healthcare initiative in the Adeoyo Area of Ibadan.

Oyo FCC Commissioner, Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela

Olowofela emphasised Mrs. Ajimobi’s compassion, citing her nurturing of not only her biological children but also children from vulnerable backgrounds.

On the political front, the former Commissioner of Education credited her coordination of the Tinubu/Shetima project in Oyo State as a contributing factor to Asiwaju Tinubu’s emergence in the 2023 Presidential election.

Addressing her family life, Olowofela highlighted Mrs. Ajimobi’s inclusive approach, stating, “Chief Mrs. Ajimobi has no daughter or son-in-law, as all the sons-in-law and daughters-in-law automatically became sons and daughters of Mrs. Ajimobi.”

The FCC commissioner concluded by acknowledging her diverse religious background, noting her upbringing as Catholic, her choice of Pentecostalism, and her adherence to Islam through marriage.

“Today, April 5, is your birthday. We celebrate you and wish you many more fruitful years in joy, peace, good health, and abundance,” Olowofela conveyed his heartfelt wishes.

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The Commissioner representing Oyo State at the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Prof. Adeniyi Olowofela, has felicitated with the wife of the late  Executive Governor of the state, Dr. ( Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, on the occasion of her 64th birthday celebrations.

“As the matriarch of the Ajimobi Dynasty, you keep the flag flying. You are an embodiment of beauty, vitality, and resilience in all ramifications of life.

“Happy birthday to you, Ma. Her Excellency, Chief Mrs. Florence Ajimobi”, he concluded.

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Nigerian Communications Commission, (NCC), Board Chairman, Prof., Adeolu Akande, on Wednesday congratulated Dr. ( Mrs) Florence Abiola Ajimobi, the former first lady of Oyo State, on her 64th birthday.

Akande, in a statement, described the late governor’s wife as one whose life has brought hope to many hopeless people and an inspiration to women in Nigerian society.

The NCC’s board chairman, who was Chief of Staff to former Oyo State Governor, Abiola Ajimobi, noted that Mrs. Ajimobi has brought hope to people through her many charity initiatives.

“He singled out her dogged advocacy for the education and protection of the rights of the girl child as one worth emulating by women in positions of authority in the country”,

He also described Mrs. Ajimobi’s cancer awareness programmes as well as issues of women’s and children’s health as indications of her love for humanity.

“It is important to note that many pro-women and pro-children laws and policies of the Abiola Ajimobi Administration were products of her unrelenting advocacy within the government.

“She fought at every point for the equitable representation of women and youths in the government. It is to her credit that even after vacating office as the First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs. Ajimobi remained a constant and influential voice advocating the rights of women and children in the country.

“Today, I join the world to celebrate you on your special day, as you mark 64 years of God’s abundant love and glorious impact on humanity”.

” I wish you many more years of God’s grace in your life”, the statement read

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The outgoing Deputy National Youth leader of the party, also warned rumour-mongers and political desperados  against dragging the name of the former first lady into the ‘internal conflict’ as gladiators tussle for Oyo APC chairmanship seat.

According to him, the widow of late Governor of Oyo state has no preferred gubernatorial candidate, adding that “she is not supporting any aspirant. Anyone that emerges will be supported by Mrs. Ajimobi”.

Repete, maintained that Ajimobi has made ardent strides in uniting the party and in keeping her late husband’s legacy.

The Oyo APC chieftain, in a statement, made available to newsmen in Ibadan, said, “the Oonirisa, Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi recently stated “once a First Lady always a First Lady”. He was referring to none other than the Matriarch, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi who since her husband’s demise has held the fort in progressive politics.

“Mrs. Ajimobi has been in attendance at various conferences. She has been awarded recently by the National Ministry of Health for her Outstanding Role in Cancer Prevention and Control. She has been up and doing, ensuring the sorrow does not take the best of her. She has made ardent strides in uniting the APC and in keeping her husband’s legacy

“Recently, she visited the former Governors of Oyo State, Governor Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja and Governor Alao-Akala. The reason for her visit is to foster peace and love. It has however been misunderstood by some people and misinterpreted to mean she wants to force an interest on the APC chairmanship.

“In a release circulating round, Mrs. Ajimobi is being accused of trying to sell the candidature of a State Chairman for the APC.

It continued, “Mrs. Ajimobi is well loved by all the party leaders and members because of her humility and empowerment of people especially women when she was the state First Lady. As against the rumors, she is not interested in becoming Leader but she is concerned about the preservation of her husband’s legacy.

She is perfectly keeping the legacy of her husband alive through SAAF (Senator Abiola Ajimobi Foundation).

“Associates of her late husband and majority of the party members believe in her human relations and in her ability to unite the party. She can unite all groups and set the party towards victory in the 2023 elections. She is interested in doing this and not in causing any crisis or forcing any candidates on the people.

“Mrs. Ajimobi has no preferred gubernatorial candidate and she is not supporting any aspirant. Anyone that emerges will be supported by Mrs. Ajimobi.

“At this juncture, when we are trying to heal the wound in our party, I appeal to the political bandits to stop dragging her name. We all need her support in 2023.

“We all need to come together as one and through party democracy, choose our leadership. We will also choose our candidates and go to the polls as one United and formidable party in 2023”, the statement concluded.

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Mrs Victoria Amudoaghan, mother of Dr (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, wife of the  Immediate past governor of  Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, is dead.

According to a statement by the family, Mrs Amudoaghan died on Thursday, September 9, 2021 at the age of 78 years.

She was born on  April 10, 1943 at Kwale in Ndokwa West Local Government area of Delta State.

As a young Lady, she moved to Lagos, settled there and married Late Erasmus Amudoaghan. The union was blessed with children traversing different walks of life.

The Late Victoria Amudoaghan was a very hardworking and enterprising woman.

She was also a devout catholic and a member of Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church, Aguda, Surulere, Lagos.

She is survived by children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, among them is Dr (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, wife of the  immediate past governor of Oyo State.

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I cannot share my journey as an entrepreneur without mentioning my husband. I always say that Biola gave me wings to fly and I owe my success today as a businesswoman to him. I did not just jump into entrepreneurship, though I was born to parents who were traders. I started working immediately after I finished from Ibadan polytechnic in June 1979. As a matter of fact, I finished from school on a Friday, and started work at Femi Johnson & Co Insurance Brokers in Lagos the following Monday. My employment was swift because I was one of the top 5 students in my department.

The first four years of my career, I worked as a confidential secretary and personal assistant in different organizations. I was quite a restless person so I changed my job every year. I thought I was looking for better prospects but the truth was I had no passion for what I was doing. Something was missing, I learnt a lot in my career especially human relations and management but it was not enough for me. Routine life has never been for me, I knew I was wasting my time doing a job that did not give me any fulfillment. If you are not passionate about whatever you are doing, time passes slowly and I knew I was wasting my time.

I decided that entrepreneurship was next in line for me. It was not novel to me because my parents were traders and I used to sell my mother’s fabric while in school. I can say buying and selling is in my DNA.

I started my business while I was still working. I was selling jewellery and fabrics. I would travel twice a month over the weekend to London or Milan to shop. This went on until I had my 3rd child and I realized that it was difficult combining the business with my office job and family. I made up my mind to resign but I did not tell my husband because I knew that he would not approve of my decision. I had, had enough. I resigned officially in November, 1984. My boss appealed to me to stay and even promised to make my work hours flexible after I told him one of the reasons for resigning was to take care of my family, but my mind was made up.

When I got home, I told my husband that I had resigned. Initially, he was upset but when I explained to him that I make over half of my salary with my weekend trips and I believe we can make much more if I devote more time to it, and at the same time look after my children myself, he accepted. He supported the idea and even got me my first overdraft from Wema Bank to boost my working capital.

Though he was the backbone of the business, Biola decided that I should manage and run the businesses while he faced his career and never for once did we have any reason to regret this decision.

Since the main reason for leaving paid employment was to have time for my children I decided that I won’t be traveling as often again and would put a face to my business. Just a few weeks into resigning, my husband connected me to one of his friends whose wife had a contract with Leventis Stores to stock their children’s section as they were travelling to America. We negotiated and I bought her industrial machines and I put up the factory in front of our house in Femi Ayantuga, Surulere. This was how my journey into the fashion world began.

The overdraft of Five Hundred Thousand Naira which Biola got from Wema Bank helped me to bounce easily into the business. I quickly delved into sewing for individuals as the Leventis contract did not keep me busy all month. I was doing the things I loved and I was making progress but my restless nature did not allow me to settle. I needed to do more, and after a few months, I took a short course on how to make wedding gowns and introduced this into the fashion business. I made these dresses myself passionately.

My husband got transferred to Ibadan and we had to move. I didn’t move immediately because I was still nursing a 6 month old baby with 2 toddlers, plus, I needed to sort out my business before leaving. We eventually moved when the children started their summer holiday in June, 1985.

When we got to Ibadan, I opened a collection centre for my fashion outlet in the boy’s quarters of our house. Before Christmas, I added a hair salon to my business and with God on my side and consistency, it thrived beyond my expectations. I still had my trading business but travelled once a month to Lagos to oversee it. I was bringing my goods in by air cargo but in the year 1986, I brought in my 1st container of household goods and sold them in Oke Arin market at wholesale price. Later, I got myself a shop on Offin Street, Oke-Arin market and added another one a year after on Egartin Street, Oke Arin.

In January 1988, my husband was transferred back to Lagos. I was so sad because my business was booming in to Ibadan. We were living in a company house on Awosika Street, Bodija and when he got transferred, we were e xpected to vacate the house. I appealed to my husband to allow us stay there until I had my baby and the other three children started their holiday, again in June, 1989, we moved back to Lagos.

In Lagos, I opened a gift and card shop on Adelabu Street and had my fashion/salon as well. God was definitely on our side because within one year I opened another store in Iponri market and another one at the University of Lagos. My importation business grew so fast and I was doing so well. I started bringing in goods from Bangkok and China.

In 1990, I ventured into the oil business, selling consumer products (my husband worked in the oil industry at that time). Later, I went into the haulage business and had a retainership with Oando as one of their dedicated transporters. This gave me a big break to the glory of God. But it wasn’t a woman’s job. I never liked doing anything I’m not in full control of. I made money but the fulfilment was not really there.

In 1993, Abiola was posted to work as the head of Togo et Shell, in Togo. This was around March. As usual, I stayed back and as soon as my 4 kids were on holiday I went to join him. I still managed my business from Togo, and went to Lagos once or twice a month to oversee things. As you can guess, I started buying things from Togo to sell in Lagos.

In 2002, my husband retired and veered into politics. He was elected as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the year 2003. Luckily, 3 of our children were already in schools outside the country, so I had only 2 left with me at home; my son and my last daughter who was only 6 years old. We put my son in boarding school and I went off to Abuja with my husband and our baby. I am sure you have noticed that I moved with my husband whenever he had to move. My friends tagged ne “Ruth a boko ku” because I could not just stay apart from him for too long. The moving around took a toll on my business only for a short time. By the time I settled in whatever new location, I bounced back within a few weeks.

In 2006, I moved to Ibadan ahead of my husband since his tenure in the Senate would end in May 2007. I opened an outlet of my gift and card store in Iyaganku, Ibadan, and when I found myself idle, I only went to Lagos once a week to supervise my stores. In December same year, whilst reviewing my business with a view to improving, I incorporated the supermarket arm into my store in Iyaganku. Within a year, I opened another branch in Cocoa House Mall. In 2007, I opened a warehouse on Ogunlana Drive, Surulere alongside the one in Oke Arin. In 2008, I opened another outlet in Iponri Market, Surulere.

In 2011, my husband was elected as the Governor of Oyo state. I still maintained my business and visited my stores in Ibadan and Lagos regularly. I remember one time my Chief Security Officer told me I could not be visiting my stores as it was a security risk , I replied her saying ‘this is my life.’ My passion for the business never weathered regardless of my title or my husband’s office.

Besides helping to set up my businesses, Biola pushed me to upgrade my education by getting an MBA in 2014. I was afraid at first because I didn’t think I was up for it. I already had motherhood, business and my role as the wife of a Governor on my plate, adding academics to it seemed like a lot to deal with. I expressed my fears to Biola and to my surprise, he said, ‘Florie, you have combined so many things in business so you can do this, and I am going to pay your school fees, so you cannot afford to fail’. My heart melted at the way he said it and I promised not to disappoint him. I started the course and put in my best. I not only did well, I passed with flying colors. I was proud of myself and grateful for Biola in my life.

In 2016, we opened the 1st Grandex Bakery as it was necessary to have one for our supermarkets. Before then we were selling other brands in our supermarkets. In 2017, we opened our facility arm that oversees and manages all our stores and warehouses. In 2018, we opened our Grandex Plus warehouse in Abuja. In 2019, when I turned 60 years, I bought my own marquee, chairs and tables for the day. After the celebration, I thought of selling the whole set off but my husband suggested I start a rental business. This birthed our G-rental business. That small store in the house in Lagos has grown to be;

• 4 supermarkets (2 in Lagos and 2 in Ibadan)
• 3 warehouses (Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan)
• 3 bakeries (Lagos, Abuja, Ibadan)
• A facility arm
• A rental arm

Being an entrepreneur has so many advantages; you feel alive all the time, you control your own destiny and you get to see and notice the difference you are making in the lives of people and the world around you. I feel so fortunate to be an entrepreneur and would encourage whoever is interested to take the big plunge. As much as I have shared these nice stories of how I built my businesses, I can also tell you for free that entrepreneurship has its ups and downs. There are 4 personal challenges entrepreneurs face which I’d like to share;

1. It can be surprisingly lonely. You spend the first few years of the business struggling and you have people around you that will tell you that your dreams are impossible. I was really lucky to have beside me a man who believed in me and gave me his wings to fly on. I could not have asked for a better teacher and supporter. I relied so much on him and it was both of us against the entire world around us.

2. You cannot share your true concerns without being discouraged or criticized. I was so blessed to have my husband share my problems with. Sharing them with him worked for me because he was involved in my business with me. Though, sometimes he got frustrated at my obsession with the business and my coming home late on special seasons like Valentine’s Day and Christmas period.

3. Losing a part of yourself. Part of your role as a founder of a business especially one that is scaling quickly is to manage your mood. Any display of emotion; anger and frustration will have an impact on those around you. So you need to cut off one end of your emotional spectrum by learning to control your emotions for the good of your team. Almost 40 years in this field I still find this the hardest part.

4. You risk losing your vulnerability. This to me is the scariest part. It took me over 20 years in my business to realize that I no longer needed to carry a shield around me. Just because I’m a founder does not make me less human, so I stopped pretending to myself and my staff. Being more open and comfortable in your own skin not only makes you more human but makes you a better leader.

My life as an entrepreneur has been nothing but splendid and I may sound like a broken record, but I am grateful to God and my husband, Biola for lifting me the entire time. God has been faithful and He has blessed me beyond my expectations. Biola was my greatest supporter. I owe whatever success and growth that I have recorded today to his unwavering support and unrelenting effort. He literally gave me wings and taught me to fly. He encouraged me morally and financially. Today, I am a successful business woman and I can hold my head up high because of God and because of Abiola.

I can say that my husband deliberately prepared me for this season.

Chief (Mrs). Florence Ajimobi, is the wife of the Late Former Governor Abiola Ajimobi

The post My Life As An Entrepreneur | By Florence Ajimobi first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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When my heartthrob, Biola and I decided in 1980 that we were ready to get married after a very short friendship of 6 months, I was very excited. Believe me, we had the best relationship anyone could have asked God for in the 40 years that we were together.

Unfortunately, loss, heartbreak and death are no respecter of persons. We watch dreams die, see people leave, lose their careers and even lose their loved ones but we never really know how it feels until we experience it ourselves. God is deeply acquainted with loss, He knows the pain of being let down and rejected. He knows what abandonment feels like. Jesus was left all alone by the people He loved most in the hardest and most painful hour of His life. It doesn’t matter who is lost or what is lost, loss is loss and it hurts deeply. I know this because I have felt it.

On the 20th of May, 2020, Biola and I tested positive with COVID-19 and we started our isolation at our Ikoyi home together, taking our medications and doing all we were advised to do by the doctor.

On the 26th of May, we both went to bed together but early in the morning of the 27th, I had to rush him to the First Cardiology Consultant Hospital, in Ikoyi. You cannot even imagine my confusion because this husband of mine had never fallen this ill in our 40 years of marriage. Anyways, he got admitted and it became the beginning of my journey without him around me.

Oh! I prayed like I had never done in my entire life. I must at this point commend my children and their friends who prayed tirelessly during this period. It was a period filled with fear and hope for me. I believed God was going to answer my prayers and bring my husband back home, but alas, on Thursday, 25th June, 2020, loss came knocking on my door and my world stopped when I was told my other half had left me to be with our Maker.

Gosh! I was dazed, scared, confused and wondered how we got to this stage. That afternoon, I asked God why He didn’t take me as well? I was in a state of shock. I was in my daughter’s house (where I stayed throughout the period my husband was at the hospital) when I received the information. I ran out of the house and headed straight to the hospital with a glimmer of hope for a miracle. When I saw my beloved husband on the bed, my heart was shattered. It dawned on me that my world had actually come to an end as my own best friend and the one who gave me strength was dead. I just could not take it in. How? Why? These were questions I asked every minute but none could answer me, no one could help me, it seemed like I was going crazy.

I went back home from the hospital and the place was filled with friends and family who had come to sympathize but none of them knew what was going on inside me. I was too confused to understand what was happening around me. On Friday, plans began on how to take him to Ibadan, Oyo State to be buried. I left for Ibadan on Saturday filled with shame because I felt that God had abandoned me despite my “supposed” relationship with Him.

My trauma began as I stepped into OUR HOME in Ibadan for the first time after the incident. I went into our bedroom, laid on his side of the bed and I cried out my heart, calling unto Biola and praying that all I was going through was just a dream. That night, sleep eluded me as I tossed and turned on the bed throughout the night. I opened all his side of our wardrobes and kept talking to myself – honestly, I felt I was going insane or believed I was to think he was dead.

On Sunday 28th, the children arrived with his body and he was laid to rest.

The grave was dug and my Biola was put in it. My heart stopped beating at that point and I wished everyone would just go away and let me die. It was a very traumatic day for me. I could not sleep that night, all I was picturing was how he was lowered into the grave and the reality that I would never see him again.

Next day, my children and I returned to Lagos and instead of going back to my daughter’s house, I went to our own home. You cannot imagine how I felt going back to that house without him. I went first into our room, laid on his side of the bed and I tried to recall the whole incident again. I was still asking “how did we get to the stage of you being dead?” This is one question I still haven’t received an answer for, and perhaps one that I will forever keep asking myself. Guests and sympathizers kept visiting and though he had been buried, I still wondered if really I was the one they were sympathizing with.

I lost the urge to live. I kept praying that God should just take me away to be with my soul-mate. Even the mandatory Islamic mourning period of 130 days (where I had to remain at home) made no difference to me. Where would I even go to without my husband?

There was no thrill in life again.

During this period, I had stopped praying to God. I told God I did not want His help anymore since He took the one person I cherished the most away. When pastors or my friends came to pray with me, I looked at them as time wasters. Sometimes, I was filled with hatred for them – why would they be talking about God who didn’t hear me when I prayed and cried unto Him to spare the life of Biola?

The loss of a loved one hurts, and learning to live with it is a long, difficult but necessary process. What I have learnt and can tell you for free is this; in our loss and grief, we can feel so alone and isolated, but God never leaves us when we hurt. He actually promised to be close to us and bandage us up in tough times.

Days ran into weeks and before I knew what was happening, it was 25th of July – a whole month without Biola, the love of my life. I think what was most painful for me is the fact that Biola and I never discussed death. All we ever talked about was how we were going to spend our retirement together. Never did the topic of death come up once. So, you can imagine my shock and disappointment when he suddenly left me.

Every day, I was dying slowly.

I was filled with so much sadness and pain that I went to bed every night praying not wake up in the morning. When I woke up next morning I asked myself, ‘you are up again?’ Then finally, the mandatory Islamic mourning period came to an end. My fear after the mourning period became how to start going out to face people, still carrying my load of shame and failure. By this time also the traffic of people in the house had reduced and my greatest trauma began when I started sleeping alone. Weeks became months and the woman who her husband complained that she sleeps too much couldn’t even sleep for 2 straight hours. What an irony.

My Biola was unique. Talking about him makes me happy and thinking about him gives my heart joy. To be honest, it is the only thing that has made me smile lately, besides my wonderful children, of course. After a while, I felt some sort of relief or so I thought until we had to celebrate the first ILEYA (an elaborate Islamic celebration) without him. ILEYA was normally a big celebration for us as a couple and family. I was hoping I’d wake up from the dream of him being dead and he would ask me for his new outfit for the celebration. It was not a dream. He was really gone and we had to celebrate without him. It did not feel the same. It would never feel the same without him. I cried bitterly on that day and went to his tomb asking him amidst tears why he left me?

Those who knew my husband know that he loved me very much and he was never afraid to express it even in public. Sometimes when I tried to shy away from his public display of affection, he would tell me “you are my wife and not a girlfriend.” I miss his cuddle and kisses. I miss our gists and fights. Biola was a hopeless romantic. He gave me everything. I miss him so much that I never thought I could survive without him. Yes! My survival till now is still a mystery to me, but, hey, one year has passed and I am still here. One year has passed but the pain in my heart still feels like it all happened yesterday.

You know, there’s really no timeline for how long grief and pain last. One really does not know how or when he or she will find closure. I will be honest with you, I still feel like I am in a rollercoaster. One minute I’m feeling strong and confident, next minute, I am overwhelmed with grief but I am grateful for the good and bad days.

December 16th of every year was a special day and it will forever remain so. It was a day I got to celebrate Biola and show him how much I appreciate and love him for all he does for me and the children. It was a day I went all out to buy him a gift. The one thing he loved was watches, so every birthday he got one. Whilst he was alive, he told me during one of our chats that he would like to celebrate his birthday yearly with a round table which he started on his 69th birthday. Last year, since he was no longer around to host the birthday round-table event, I decided to host it in his honour. So, I swung into action with so much excitement in preparation and everything went so smoothly.

A day to the event, I went to do some last minute checks at the venue. I did not know when I started to cry again. It was emotional for me because we had planned to celebrate his 71st birthday in that same venue. On the D-day, I woke up, went to his tomb and I started to cry. It was his day and he wasn’t even there to celebrate with us. I was devastated. I looked forward to this day and there I was, crying uncontrollably at his tomb. What was the point of throwing a celebration without him? I could not believe that I would not get to celebrate him the usual way. What else can you give to a man that has given you everything in life; love, comfort, selflessness, support, strength, courage? I can go on and on. Biola allowed me to be me. He made me the woman I am today and brought out the best in me, he gave me wings to fly. What then was the point, I thought to myself as I cried. One of our aides found me there and pleaded with me to leave the tomb to go get ready for the event.

The event turned out greatly. In fact, better than I expected. I was proud of myself. I knew Biola would be proud of me too. I cannot thank God enough for the strength He gave me this period. God stayed with me, even when I was angry with Him for taking Biola away and not answering my prayers to bring him back, God stayed with me. He worked on me and walked me through the valley of the shadow of death and in the end, led me right back into green pastures.

After the birthday celebration came Christmas. Another nudge in the reality that things will never be the same without him. My husband was a Muslim, while I am a Christian. He would say “my wife is a Christian, so Christmas must always be special.” Our different religions was never a problem for us as a couple and a family. We celebrated every religious holiday and programs together. For Christmas, my husband would go all out for me. Every Christmas, we travelled to Lagos to celebrate with our children. We did it for over 18 years. Biola did not see the travelling as stressful or trivial. He was a selfless father and husband. He handled everything from decorating the Christmas tree to ordering of cake and food. He would say “it’s your celebration, so no stress for you, Flory.” He would then shower me with gifts.

Christmas in 2020 was nothing like it had always been for us. The entire family planned a trip to Dubai for the holiday, hoping it would make me happy but it didn’t. It was a very sad Christmas for me. Every 31st of December, he would drop me at church for the New Year’s Eve service, go back home to say his prayers and pick me once I’m ready. On the 1st of January, he would send wishes, prayers, and admonitions for the New Year. He did this consistently for 40 years. This year, I didn’t get anything from him…no wishes, no prayers, no words of affection, no words of advice…nothing.

I love my children. They are the very essence of my life. Though the vacuum Biola left in my heart cannot be filled by them, they remain the greatest blessings God has given me.

I still have problems with my sleep pattern. One day I woke up and reminded myself that all my tears have not brought him back, so I have to live with the reality of my pain and misery. I began to identify the places and events that trigger my emotions and learnt how to manage them. This actually helped lessen the intensity of my feelings as I have come to the conclusion that my heart can never heal, it is a life-time process.

It’s being hard coping with people who actually mean well, but do not know how to act around me. Some of them avoid mentioning my husband’s name or even talking about him. I find it funny though because he is all I want to talk about all day. If only they knew that unlike them, I don’t want to pretend he never existed. I want to talk about him. I want to relive his memories with family and friends.

Some of them even say “you have to move on.” I won’t lie that it has been easy to ‘move on’, as a lot of people have advised or would expect. He IS the love of my life, moving on won’t be a walk in the park for me, but I am willing to take things one day at a time. When I visit our home in Ibadan, it has become a routine for me to sit by his tomb and take my early morning coffee. The fact that I know he is there with me makes me happy and I plan to relish these moments.

So, now, I wake up every morning, write a piece about him, watch videos of him and then talk a lot about him (to those who care to listen and can’t complain that I bore them). Doing these things have become therapy for me.

April 5th is another special day in my home. It is my birthday! My dear Biola would go all out to make me feel special every year. This year, I could not spend the day in our home so I travelled out to be alone and soak myself in my pain and sorrow. Two of my daughters flew in to surprise me where I was and cheer me up. It was a nice gesture that I appreciate but believe me it all meant nothing to me, I was just lost in my pain. The fact remains that a part of me is gone.

Socializing became a problem. I just couldn’t go out or visit friends that have been there for me over these trying months. Rather than say NO to going out all the time, I tried visiting my daughters which I had not also done in months. I attended about 3 events and made them know that I would want to leave early. I am not used to going to events without my husband.

Sometimes, the feeling of grief is so painful that I feel overwhelmed. I find it so hard to see meaning or purpose in my life, and want to find a way to make it stop. I feel I can’t cope with the intensity of my grief and pain anymore.

In May, I decided to go away to be alone and gather myself together as I felt I was not coping and could not continue wanting everyone around me to be sad because I am sad. I was very angry each time my children were celebrating either their birthday, their spouses’ or that of their children, I just didn’t get it. So off I went and honestly by the time I returned, I was a better person. Healing did not take place but a better way of learning to live alone and live with my pain was identified.

Usually when I return from trips, especially abroad, as soon as the plane touches ground, Biola would call me to say “thank God you have landed.” Next few minute, he would call again to ask “are you on the express?” By the time I get home, he would have instructed the people at home to prepare my favourite dish and have the table all set. I would then get another call asking “hope the food is fine”.

When I step into our room, he would have made the room look special and inscribe a message on the bed, “welcome home Flory, I missed you.” I got back to Nigeria from my May trip this year, there was no expectation. No one to pamper me like Biola did. I told myself “you are all alone, so get it”.

When we had arguments, which is typical of any couple, Biola was always the larger person whilst I remained the ‘baby’ and he was quick to tell me “Flory, we have no one else but ourselves, let’s talk it over.” He would tell me “angels don’t live on earth and I’m not one and would definitely make mistakes.” But he was my Angel and will always be my Angel.

Sometimes, I believe I am reading a story and just going through a bad chapter but I thank God for making me stand today. Each sunrise is a victory for me. The journey has been the most painful and traumatic that I could never have imagined that I’d still be here. My husband and I thought we could never live without each other. I am still so pained and sad, I cannot understand how I got to where I am even after one year. But I am still here.

For the sake of my children and family I have to be strong. As long as life and memories last, Abiola my best friend, ever smiling lover, husband, soulmate, gist partner and teacher will forever live in my heart.

Biola, till death do us part isn’t long enough. To say I miss you is an understatement as my heart is still so sore from losing you. I love you much more in death and forever will.

Despite everything, I surrender to God and acknowledge that He is SOVEREIGN.

Florence Ajimobi, is the wife of the Late Former Governor Abiola Ajimobi. This piece was published on her personal blog. 

The post My Life In One Year | By Florence Ajimobi  first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post My Life In One Year | By Florence Ajimobi  appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Celebrations of former Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s 71st Posthumous birthday continued yesterday, with a novelty match between Akorede football team and Idi-Ayunre team, where the former triumphed with two goals.

The football match, which  was graced by family members, friends and associates of the late two-term Governor, including his wife, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi; Oyo Lawmaker, Seyi Adisa; ALGON Chairman, Abass Aleshinloye; former Aides to Governor Ajimobi, and a host of soccer legends was organised by Hon. Tolulope Akande-Sadipe, federal House of Representatives member representing Oluyole Federal Constituency.

Speaking about the match, held at the Lead-city stadium, Ibadan, the host, Akande-Sadipe informed that the event was her way of celebrating the late Governor Ajimobi, who she said was a support system to her political career while he was alive.

Also commenting, the former First Lady of Oyo State, Mrs. Ajimobi lauded the lawmaker for such initiative, which has encouraged the youths and entertained the adults in her constituency.

“Nothing is too much to celebrate His Excellency, former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, who during his lifetime gave his all to the development of Oyo State, his party and family. We miss him and his legacies”, she said.

Also in his remarks, the lawmaker representing Afijio State Constituency at the Oyo State House of Assembly, Barrister Seyi Adisa said his former boss was fondly called Archipelago, because football was one of the things he wanted to be remembered for.

He said, “honestly, my former boss deserves a befitting match such as this, being a football nut himself. If my memory does not fail me, he remains the only former Governor in this country who played active football in his younger-years. Ajimobi played for his alma-mater, Lagelu Grammar school.

“Everybody is here to witness the artistic displays by soccer players, as part of activities to celebrate our legendary father and role-model, Sen. Abiola Ajimobi,” concluded the House of Assembly member.

The event began at 8 a.m with an explosive match between Akorede Local Government team and Idi-Ayunre team, after which Mrs. Ajimobi presented a trophy and cash gift to Akorede football team, winners of the match.

The Idi-Ayunre team also received a cash reward.

Akorede Football team won with two goals, scored by its Attacker Ibrahim Olatunbosun.

The post Oyo federal lawmaker, Akande-Sadipe organises novelty match in memory of late Governor Ajimobi first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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