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Wife, TOLANI Reveal Their Love Story
For many who knew Chief Taoreed Faronbi, popularly called Baba Alado, as a feared Omo Onile, a Mushin political strongman and Transport Union chieftain, there was a softer side only his home knew. That side is being told by one of his wives, Alhaja Tolani Faronbi.
In an emotional chat with City People who came to condole with the Alados at the family’s Isheri-Osun residence during the 3-day Fidau prayer for the repose of his soul last Monday, 28, September, 2026,Tolani recounted how a chance encounter at a filling station became a lifetime love story.
“We met while working as a Petrol Attendant,” she began, her voice calm but full of memory.
According to Tolani, she was young and working at a filling station to support herself. Baba Alado, already a big name in property and transport, had driven in to buy fuel.
“He didn’t look at the pump, he was looking at me,” she said. “He handed me his business card and asked me to call him.For more than 2 or 3 months,I did not call until one day ,out of curiosity,I dialed his number because I wanted to know who he really was.I never knew he was that popular until I told my friends.They tried to convince me to be very careful,my father even warned me and said so much about staying away from him.You know women, I was defiant.I went to see him and we hit it off immediately.I started visiting him in his house with those my friends and we partied almost everytime.When we are going,he would give all of us money.After sometime,he came to see my family and we got married.
That was why what started as jokes and small gifts during her shifts turned into serious courtship. Despite the gap in age, status and reputation, Alado was persistent, respectful, and protective.
“He told me, ‘Tolani, leave this work, I will take care of you.’ And he kept his word till his last breath.”
For Tolani, marriage to the 84-year-old grassroots leader was not about fear, but about covering.
What kind of a man was your late husband? A caring man,he’s honest and would never betray you. He does for the home and visitors too.There is never anyone who comes across him with a problem that won’t get solved.I got married to him about 23 years ago and I have two girls for him.He was such a nice man.He comforted me. We travelled around the world together, America, UK name it.When we fight,we called on nobody,we settled it ourselves.His death is a big blow to me.I never thought that in the next 20 years, he won’t still be here with us.
“Alhaji never made me lack anything,” she said. “People hear Baba Alado and they think one thing, but in this house,he was a very soft, loving husband and father.”
She revealed that Baba Alado built a house for her in his lifetime to secure her future and that of their children, ensuring she had her own roof and dignity regardless of anything.
“Anything I wanted, he provided…food, money for my family, he did it without me asking including building my own house for me. The house is not too far from here in Isheri.
The ultimate proof of that magnanimity, she said, came in his final days.
Tolani disclosed that even while lying critically ill, with oxygen, on his sick bed, Baba Alado’s mind was on her and the children’s welfare.
“Even while in the hospital and could not talk well, he called his manager. He instructed him to give me half a million naira,” she recounted, almost breaking down in tears.
What exactly do you miss about him? A lot!I don’t think any man alive would have done better for me whatever he did…is it money? The last time we spoke, he said he would soon join me at home when he gets better, not knowing that death was already knocking.I take solace in the fact the the Almighty Allah giveth and taketh.Nobody wants death to snatch away her benefactor.While he was alive, he never monitored me,he did not say I shouldn’t enjoy my life.There was never anything I asked that he did not give me. His death was a surprise for me.Since he died ,I have always had migraine and hardly sleeps at night.The other day,he appeared to me in my dreams.I told him not to scare me…(laughs).Truly,we love each other and there was an agreement that we both had but I pray God to keep me to take care of the children I had for him”.
Their union is blessed with two beautiful girls, who Tolani said were the apple of their late father’s eyes.
“Alhaji loved his girls. He would say, ‘Tolani, train these girls well, they are my gold.’ He did everything for them.
As she sat in the family house at Alado Bus Stop, Isheri-Osun, surrounded by co-wives, children and sympathizers, Tolani said she finds comfort in the legacy of love Alado shared with her.
“I will miss my husband, my father, my friend, my protector. But I am happy I met him that day at the filling station. From selling petrol to being his wife, God wrote our story and it was a beautiful one.”
Wole Alakija
08055001823
