- Says “I Dated Him For 6 Years Before Marriage”
Mrs Bola Awolowo is the pretty wife of Segun Awolowo, the first grandson of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. She has been married to Segun Awolowo for over 26 years and still counting, though they have been together for 32years.
Yes, there is no marriage without its ups and down but Segun Awolowo, the CEO of NEPC (Nigeria Export Promotion Council) doesn’t joke with his adorable wife, Bola. This was evident when Bola clocked 50, 2 years ago and her husband Segun didn’t leave any stone unturned.
Those who attended the 50th birthday still talk about it till date. He didn’t only spend big, but made sure prominent Nigerians like Ogun Governor Amosun who was represented by his Deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga Vice President Osinbajo’s wife, (Dolapo), and Senators to mention a few stormed the event.
Even her Mother-in-Law, Mrs Abbah Folawiyo doesn’t see her as her son’s wife but like the daughter she never had.
On Saturday 22nd of July when Sisi Abah clocked 75 years, Bola made sure the event was tight. Knowing what her mother-in-law stands for, she made sure she had the best party in town. Looking simple yet Sassy in a white lace matched with African print, she was seen working together with the vendors.
Getting her to grant an interview was a herculean task because she had lots of things to put in place but she, however, obliged City People Assistant Society Editor, ABIOLA ORISILE. She spoke about her marriage and her mother-in-law, enjoy it.
You are the Chief Host today seeing that you are the only daughter-in-law of Sisi Abah Folawiyo. How best can you describe Sisi Abah, your mother-in-law?
She is my mother, a grand mother, a friend and somebody who has no dull-moments. Yes, you may call her my mother-in-law being the mother of my husband but I call her my mother. She is very nice, very jovial. Another thing is that what she sets her mind to do, she does it even if you tell her Mummy, I don’t agree, once she set her mind to do it, she will do it. That is who she is.
She just clocked 75 today, what do you wish her?
Like I said earlier, I thank God for her life. 75 is a Milestone. Like when you clock 70, it looks like you are slowing down. She is slowing down a bit but she is very alive, kicking and I thank God for this. I wish her many more fruitful years. May she be very much around for us.
What have you been able to learn from Sisi Abah Folawiyo?
Humility, and being nice, people will tell you that she has friends from all age range. Some of our friends are also her friends. She can sit with anybody and come down to the level of that person. Even her grand children have conversation with her and they talk all day. She can be with the 20s, 30s, 40s and talk freely with them, no dull moment with her. She cuts across all, she is not somebody who is deep.
She is very free minded, quick to forget that you are upset with her. Infact, people ask themselves, why am I even fighting her. She is very quick to forget. So it is a gift that is rare. Not everybody is like that. It is the grace of God. For me, I will say I have learnt patience, forgiveness, and Mummy is very homely.
What was the experience like when you started going out with her only child Segun?
I remember when I started going out with Segun. It is close to 27 years that I got married to Segun but before we got married, I dated him for 6 years. So we have been together for 33 years. The first day I visited her, I ended up in the kitchen. When she ate my food, she was like waoh, I don’t believe you can cook. She instantly took to me. She likes looking after your husband, keeping your home.
What has sustained your friendship with your husband?
It is patience, endurance, and forgiveness…
What is the Secret of a successful marriage?
Prayer. I am the kind of woman who prays a lot. I have 3 children and my mother do tell us that when she was young in marriage, she will look at 6 of us and say, which one of them. Then she will start praying. So this I learnt from her. I am a very private person who doesn’t take nonsense. So I keep my head down low and couple should respect themselves. With this technology, a woman hardly respects themselves. If you don’t respect yourself, people won’t respect you. Segun is my first and my last. There was nobody before and there won’t be anyone next to him.
I don’t regret my husband being my first and my last. This I have also instilled in my children too. My first is 25, my second is 23 and my last is 21. I thank God for them for I have been able to teach them that prayer is the key.
You know when you do something, your children watch you. So a woman who wants good children should be able to give good example values is very important.
