I enjoy watching my husband dance —Osun First Lady, Titilayo Adeleke
By Tunde Ayanda And Segun Adebayo
What does life look like in the Government House?
Nothing unusual. My day-to-day activities are basically on women and children, also on widows. I love children a lot. We need to encourage them to go to school so they can make something good of their lives in the future.
What were those things you enjoyed doing before you became the First Lady that you can no longer do?
I’m a grassrooter, I move around and mingle with people. I still do my usual stuff. I go out most times to the salon, eat and gist with people. I got saddened about some situations, like seeing young boys and girls running after cars, and hawking.
There was a particular boy I met hawking vegetables. He was 12 years old, and he told me he needed money to buy books. So he started growing vegetables to sell. He told me it’s from the proceeds of the vegetables that he helped himself in school and also helped his mother. I supported him in my little way and asked him to open an account. I was supporting him but sadly I lost my phone and I was unable to reach him. I always ask around for him when I go to the salon. I do engage with women and children a lot, that was my life before my husband became governor, and I still enjoy doing that. In my little way, I try to support the women, now that we are politicians. Do you know there is no budget for the office of the First Lady? I only try to do my best with the little resources I have.
Do you still cook for the governor?
Why not?
Your husband has a warm personality, as his wife and the closest person to him, how would you describe him?
My darling husband, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke is a very friendly man. He is kind and someone who can remove his two eyes to give out. He is a cheerful giver and accommodates people. Even when he is in bed, he is thinking of how to manage and help the people around him.
Not at all! Up till now, he doesn’t eat alone. he eats with friends and anybody that comes in when he eats, before he became governor. He would dish the food for everybody, but because he is now governor, a little has changed, they serve him before anyone, but they all eat together. He doesn’t like seeing any woman crying or suffering.
When you first met him, what was the attraction?
His humility. He didn’t see himself as the son of a Senator or brother to the governor. He was down to earth.
He likes dancing, do you also dance?
Well, he taught me but I’m not into dancing.
Do you enjoy seeing him dance?
Of course! I love him and I love his behaviour. He likes praising God. In any situation, he is always thanking God. We passed through a lot. Whenever I was down, he would encourage me, telling me to wait for our turn and I think that was why God favoured him. If you are closer to him, you will see that was why God decided to have mercy on him. He loves to praise God. He will dance and sing, whenever I’m angry, he dances, so, what would I do? The anger will disappear.
You are a Christian, married into a Muslim family, did you experience any issues?
You know my husband had to complete the term of late Senator Adetunji Adeleke, and his late brother was a Muslim. You know in their family they practise both religions without any problem?
After his tenure in the Senate, the people said they wanted him as governor, the family initially didn’t want him to contest, but after much pressure, they had no choice but to give in.
We’ve been like that, he gave all our children Muslim names. If you love someone you need to love him with everything, so I became a Muslim and there is no problem.
Is that why you dress like a Muslim?
Yes. The Muslim sisters are always inviting me to their Asalatu.
You are so quiet and gentle, but you are married to an outgoing, cheerful man, is there no conflict?
I inherited much from my mother who was very cool- headed. My parents were friends, they were so close that we grew up knowing them like that. When my mum was about dying, she told me by the time I got married, I should love my husband and be patient, that a lot of situations would come, but I should hold strong to my marriage and that has been working for me.
I hardly relate with people, but now that we are in politics, I’ve learnt that and I now enjoy the company of others. I have some women I visit, they are my friends and I love them.