LIFESTYLE: "I COULDN'T HAVE WISHED FOR A BETTER WIFE, SHE'S GOD-SENT," SAYS OTUNBA SOLA ADEWUMI AS WIFE TURNS 50

Lifestyle: "I Couldn't Have Wished For A Better Wife, She's God-sent," Says Otunba Sola Adewumi As Wife Turns 50

---Chairman of Equitorial Energy Ltd, Otunba Sola Adewumi, speaks glowingly about his wife as she turns 50.

Otunba Sola Adewumi is the Chairman of Equitorial Energy Company Ltd; Inspiration Hotel and Suites and a Director at Chikem Farm.

In this interview with Event Diary Lifestyle, Otunba as he is fondly called, spoke about his wife, Deaconess Oluwakemi Adewumi, as she celebrates her 50th birthday. Excerpts!

Can you please tell us briefly, who Otunba Sola Adewumi is?

Thank you. I was born over 50 years ago to the family of Deacon & Deaconess Emmanuel Adewumi of Ikere Ekiti. I am a graduate of the University of Lagos (UNILAG). I am a trained, qualified Accountant. I was a Banker before I ventured into the Oil and Gas sector. I am the Chairman/CEO of Equitorial Energy Company Limited and a Director at JS Shipping and Trading Company Limited. I equally have an interest in the hospitality sector and real estate. I join my wife in her farming business as well.

What did you leave banking for the shipping business?

Well, I think I can call it providence as I am a very contented person. My career path has always been divine. I remember there was an issue in my branch and a customer who has always played a fatherly role to me, in the person of Chief Isaac Jolapamo, came to my rescue. He did not only sort it out, he equally invited me to join him in his company. He said to me, 'though I know my office is not as cosy as your bank, in the next three to four years you will look back and thank God'. I am here today thanking God as predicted by him.

Your pretty wife will be 50 on the 12th of February, what was the attraction when you first met her?

You said pretty, that is one of the things that drew my attention to her. Coupled with this is her wisdom and intelligence. She is a gifted and prayerful woman.

Tell us, how did you meet her?

I remember meeting her at a function and someone asked me to meet someone who lives in my hometown and I felt, how will

she be living in my hometown and I won't know her? Not as if the town is that small but I believed she lied because I have not heard her surname, "Awoniyi", before then in Ikere Ekiti, so I felt she lied, I asked her some questions and it was later I got to know that her parents resided and worked in Ikere Ekiti. Thereafter, we became casual friends and I was like a big brother to her but somewhere along the line, when I realised there is something about her that makes her special, she is endowed with wisdom and when she gives you advice or expresses her opinion on any matter, it comes as if she is God-sent. When I discovered those qualities, I felt I shouldn't let her go out of my sight and reach. I knew we were meant for each other and to the glory of God, I’ve never had cause to regret holding on to her as my life partner and best friend.

Since you said you were like a big brother to her, what were her reactions to your marriage proposal?

Initially, when I asked her out, she said it was not possible because of my circumstance and she gave me a condition I can never meet in my life. So I told her to seek the face of God about it. But somewhere along the line, I became certain she has the conviction about my proposal and that was how it all started and today the rest is history.

You said her beauty and wisdom among other qualities attracted her to you, has there been any time in the last 2 decades that you regretted your decision to marry her?

With all sense of honesty, I will say capital “NO”. I have never had such a thought, not even for a second. Rather, if only I knew, I would have married her earlier than I did, because she is the type that places family above all. She might be passing through many things but you won't know, rather you’ll see her as someone who doesn't have issues in life. One of the things I like about her is that she does not want anyone to disrespect me either in her presence or her absence, she can’t stand it. And for all who care to know, I don't joke with her, if you fight her, I will fight you back. Her worries become my worries, so also, her happiness is my happiness.

What can you say about her lifestyle?

Wow! I can say, I am extra favoured as a man because I am married to a very organised woman who gives details about everything she does. I remember during her 40th birthday, I said publicly that she is my organiser and the wings that I am using to fly because my wife takes her time before talking and she would have analysed things critically, but you know sometimes we men will always want to prove that this is what we want even when we are wrong and when it gets to that level, she will quietly let it be. She is so detailed and cultured, 

I don't joke with her or take her counsel for granted. Another strong quality about my wife is that she is very close to God, she is my prayer warrior. I seem to be lazy compared to her when it comes to prayers and that is why I said she carries the problem of the family on herself. I am lucky to have her in my life and I will keep thanking God for her life. Like I always pray for long life for us, I specifically pray that she lives long to reap the reward of her labour on the children and myself because she has tried for the family. And God will give her the wisdom to keep organizing the family.

What can you say about her fashion sense?

My wife is a fashionista and she has brought me to her level. She is my image maker and my wardrobe manager. It will interest you to know that I don't have any of my tailors' numbers, I will have to go to her to get in touch with them. And when it comes to the issue of the home front, she is fully in charge, while I provide what they need, she manages the home affairs dutifully.

What do you wish her at this Golden age of 50?

What do you expect me to wish for n amazing wife? I wish her many more years of service to God and humanity. My prayer for her is to live long, maybe to the age of my late father (laughs) and she will enjoy the fruit and reward of her labour because she has done so much for the family. Starting from me to all the children, she has laboured hard on us. On behalf of myself and our children, I wish her the very best on all sides as she graciously climbs and enjoys the 5th floor.

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