We have been married for ten years now, and I have not had cause, even for one split second to regret our union. Her heart is pure and single, quite unlike most of the women out there, who are riding the crest of modernity with reckless abandon, unmindful of jeopardy into which they are pushing their future. Bola is loving and particularly, caring, resourceful and resilient. Above all, she has made our home paradise, where the first thing we do in the morning and the last thing we do when the day toil ens, and we are retire to bed, is to laugh heartily. Her positive approach to our challenges and my personal inadequacies truly amazes me.

 

By Abdul Oluwashina

True love knows no age and boundary, so they said, with dedication and open hearts, couples can create a lasting legacy of love and happiness. This became evident on the 19^th of December, 2023 as the former Nigerian Ambassador to Mozambique, Amb. Albert G. P. Omotayo organised a very simple but loud birthday-bash in commemoration of his wife’s Golden Jubilee at the popular FCT Art Exhibition Pavilion in Abuja.

His wife, the celebrant, Quoodrat Adebola Abeni Omotayo, a renowned broadcast Journalist and former Chairperson of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Ekiti chapter had the honour of being celebrated for her remarkable milestone and enduring love for her family.

Instructively, both singles, couples, olds and young ones from walks of life who present at the occasion drew inspirations from Ambassador Omotayo and his wife life’s story, as they shared valuable insights and advice for those planning to embark on the beautiful journey of marriage or those already committed to one.

To the audience, the event underscores the importance of open and honest communication, Ambassador Omotayo and his wife attributed the success of their long-lasting relationship to their ability to properly articulate their thoughts and feelings, even during challenging times, by fostering a safe and empathetic environment for dialogue, it became clearer that couples can develop a deeper understanding for each other’s needs and nurture a bond built on trust and respect.

Another take away from the gathering was the  prioritisation of  quality time couple spent together, in a busy world where work and other commitments can consume family lives, the Omotayo’s 50th anniversary celebration urges couples and would-be-ones to prioritise quality time together, regardless of whether they share common interests or not. Whether its simple activities like cooking, reading, traveling, or attending cultural events, spending uninterrupted time together helps to reinforce the connection and strengthen the love between partners.

Without a doubt, it is evident that the couple believes in nurturing individual growth within the context of a relationship. Amb. Omotayo is a carrier civil servant and diplomat while his wife is a Journalist and she got to the pick of her professional association cadre as the former NAWOJ Chairperson in her state. It is crystal clear that the couple encouraged themselves to pursue their dreams and passions, allowing for personal development and enrichment. The story of Omotayo’s stressed that embracing individuality not only cultivates personal happiness but also contributes to a healthier and more fulfilling partnership.

As the event also underscores tolerance to the audience, as it speaks volume that the couple weathers the storms together; a successful marriage is not without its challenges and hardships. This couple’s unwavering perseverance during difficult times has been the cornerstone of their enduring love. By facing obstacles head-on, leaning on each other for support, and maintaining a positive outlook, couples can cultivate resilience and deepen their bond during trying times.

Omotayo’s Golden Jubilee also tells audience that celebrating a relationship is an opportunity to reflect on shared memories, celebrate accomplishments and strengthen the foundation of love. The celebration of the 50th Anniversary of their enduring love was a testament to their commitment to cherishing each other and appreciating the milestones they have accomplished together.

The unique event serves as a guiding light for the upcoming ones, as well as a testament to the power of love and perseverance in a world where love seems fleeting.

The event marked not only her birthday but also the official launch of a book authored byAmbassador Albert G. P. Omotayo, titled “50 Reasons Why I Love You“. The book is a testament to the couple’s love story and journey together. It gives an insight into their love life and marriage, detailing the ups and downs, challenges and triumphs that they have experienced together.

A Sting of Cupid for Alob, My Companion, and Confidant: A review of Albert Omotayo’s 50 Reasons Why I Love You being delivered by Salamatu Sule.

In her review, Salamatu stated that, “The book, is a Praise poetry collection in celebration of love and genuine devotion through the eyes of the poet personae as a tribute to his wife herein referred to as Alob!

“Love here as the author puts it, is in the context of Creation, and as such, be treated as important as the divine love that is between a man and a woman through an institution called marriage. It is worthy to note that God Almighty created everything in pairs including his creation, Adam for Eve to coexist in love and devotion for one another.

“The question about who is a companion and a confidant won’t arise if it was ever possible for a man or a woman to traditionally succeed on his own as behind every successful husband is his ever-supportive wife and to every Duke is his dear Duchess as well as the King and his quintessential Queen.

“While a companion provides mutual support, understanding, and the enjoyment of each other’s company, a confidant plays a crucial role in providing emotional support, advice, and a non-judgmental space for open communication.

“This collection can be best described as an oral praise song; a typical kind of musical composition that is primarily intended to express admiration, homage, or positive sentiments towards a person of which Alobe is the subject matter of today’s discourse. You will agree with me that this kind of relationship is like a fairytale made in heaven orchestrated by God Almighty.

“The Oriki is usually done for a particular family in praise of their lineage, as the wife must know the oriki of her husband and the husband for that of his wife to solidify the bond between them.

The event also marked the composition of the Board of Trustees of the newly and publicly presented Quoodrat Adebola Abeni Omotayo Literary Award (QAAOLA), which was established to revive the dying condition of Marriage institution, envisioning the redemption of marriage institution on earth with the mission of encouraging, protecting and promoting the practice of marriage in all places and circumstances where it occurs.

According to Ambassador Omotayo: “I conceived the idea of Quoodrat Adebola Abeni Omotayo Literary Award when I was thinking of what to give her on her fiftieth birthday, as a token of my appreciation of her love, devotion and sacrifice for me. I actually began to see the exceptional traits of an excellent wife in her within the first few weeks of our marriage and I did not hide it. I told her repeatedly, to the point of almost reducing it to comedy, that she was setting a high standard for me. That standard has since then continued to raise, inspite of the reality of my idiosyncrasies and inadequacies. I was persuaded absolutely, that I should used the occasion of her fiftieth birthday anniversary to show her in particular, and the world in general that she is a very good woman and an excellent wife to me, who deserved to be appreciated, praised and emulated

“We have been married for ten years now, and I have not had cause, even for one split second to regret our union. Her heart is pure and single, quite unlike most of the women out there, who are riding the crest of modernity with reckless abandon, unmindful of jeopardy into which they are pushing their future. Bola is loving and particularly, caring, resourceful and resilient. Above all, she has made our home paradise, where the first thing we do in the morning and the last thing we do when the day toil ens, and we are retire to bed, is to laugh heartily. Her positive approach to our challenges and my personal inadequacies truly amazes me.

“The rate of separation and divorce is soaring everywhere, the socio-intellectual movements which articulate marriage to be bondage that must be broken are gaining more ground and their disciples are fast growing

“The world is getting drowned deeper in the sea of consumerism and instant creation, the root of world-wide economic hardship and inter-personal intolerance which is in turn  pushing our humanness to a dangerous limit and making ordinary relationships increasingly more difficult  to maintain.”

The event was chaired by Professor (Mrs) Vicky Sylvester, who made remarks, praising the celebrant for her contribution to the development of literature and education in Nigeria. In her remarks, she emphasized the need for more women to take up leadership roles, especially in the literary and academic fields.

The celebrant, in her remarks, narrated how she met her husband, Ambassador Albert G. P. Omotayo, and how their journey started. She acknowledged that every time she sees her husband, she sees her mother’s face. She expressed gratitude to her husband for his love and support over the years.

One of the highlights of the event was the celebrant’s husband, Ambassador Albert G. P. Omotayo, who gave an insight into how they met and how their journey started. He recounted some of the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome them.

Guests were treated to a variety of food and drinks, including assorted pepper soup. The event was well-attended by colleagues, friends, family members, and well-wishers. The family physician, Dr Akerele, also spoke highly of the couple, describing them as an inspiration to many.

The event was a celebration of love, family, literature, and philanthropy. Both the husband and wife were happy for their choices and encouraged love in other homes as they have publicly presented what makes their home.

The occasion was a reflection of the couple’s love and commitment to each other, as well as their dedication to supporting and inspiring others. It was a truly remarkable celebration of a remarkable woman, Quoodrat Adebola Abeni Omotayo, who has touched the lives of many through her work and philanthropy.