Just a few days to his death at the Hilton Hotel and Resort, Ile-Ife on November 5,2021, Timothy Adegoke Oludare, the Obafemi Awolowo University MBA student was full of hopes and expectations of a more rewarding life for himself and his young family. He was doing well in his place of work – Xiamien Stone Limited, Abuja – a Chinese firm that specialises in supply of granite marble ,quartz slabs, tiles and counter tops. He had recently been promoted as Director of Finance. His wife, Bolatito, even had a vision of greater things coming his way. They shared the secret together and prayed that it came to fruition.
But in a matter of days, all the hopes came crashing down and Bolatito has not stopped crying since then. The mother of three shares her agony in this telephone conversation with our Osun State
How long have you been married?
We clocked seven years in marriage in May 2021. We were based in Abuja in our early days of marriage. He was working with NYSC Foundation but we were hoping for the best. We continued praying for the best when I gave birth to a set of twins. I joined a church majorly to pray to God for a change of level and my husband joined the church too.
There was a day someone visited our church, my husband served him because he was a church worker, the man saw humility and calmness in him; he inquired of him his qualifications. My husband said he was a chartered accountant. The man marveled at the level of his dexterity in talking and addressing issues.
The man helped him in securing a job at Xiamien Stone Limited.We had nowhere to live in Abuja. We had built a house in Abuja but it was demolished by government. He was posted to a branch in Ondo State.
We were living in Akure while he worked on a site of the company in a remote village. My husband never ate outside. Each time he was going to work I would prepare his food depending on the number of days he would spend on site. Most times he would spend two weeks at work before returning home.
At a point, I picked up a primary school teaching job where I was paid N20, 000 as salary.He kicked against that, telling me that he would make all provisions for me. He didn’t want any stress for me. I quit the job based on his demand.
I pleaded with him that I should be operating a mobile shop to sell male and female wears. That was how we were managing our life.
Since we got married, my husband never fell ill and never ate outside except what I prepared for him.
So, at what point did you relocate to Abuja from Ondo State?
Around April this year. The company where he was working promoted him to the position of Director of Finance hence we relocated to Abuja. The Chinese company where he was working really acknowledged him as a good hand. We went to join him in Abuja in August 2021.
He had been doing his Master’s programme at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife before we left Ondo State, so after we all went to join him in Abuja, he continued with it.
He was given two mobile policemen and an official car in Abuja including other allowances.
The company was responsible for the payment of his flight ticket to Ondo State where he would pick a bus to Ile-Ife for his examination. He was killed on his third trip to Ile-Ife.
On the last trip, he called me on the phone that he had a delayed flight. He had a meeting in Akure on that day before he proceeded to Ile-Ife.
When he arrived at the hotel he called me that he had entered the room and that he wanted to rest before reading for examination. He bid me goodnight.
Was that the last time you heard from him?
Yes…my husband always called us on the phone before proceeding to the examination hall anytime he was not around. On Saturday morning he did not call. I was thinking he was busy in the exam hall. Around 1pm, I did not see his call and I called his number and it rang out of time. I was very worried and I called our pastor who calmed me down.
On Sunday, I called his younger brother who is in Osogbo and other relatives to help me check on him but they could not find him. They checked him at the examination hall, he was not there.
We started looking for him until we found him dead (bursts into tears).
Three children. Our firstborns are twins: one male and female.
Did you have premonition that death was lurking around him?
No! It was not revealed to me in dreams or vision that an unfortunate incident would befall my husband.
The week he wanted to travel for his final examination in Ile-Ife I fasted and prayed for three days. I had a vision that a new glory was coming my husband’s way; that he needed to do some prayers and sacrifice with praises to God. I told him about it…
What was his reaction when you told him about the vision of new glory?
He was so excited because he trusted my spiritual gift. He told me that he would do the needful on his return to Abuja from his final examination in OAU.
It is so disheartening to hear that my husband died in the hotel and was not allowed to experience the vision of the new glory.
How would you describe your husband?
He was a very perfect gentleman. He never fought or joined issues with anybody. Sometimes I got angry when some people insulted him and he walked past them without reacting. He condemned animosity toward fellow human beings. He was a very quiet individual. He was a teetotaler and he prioritized his family, most especially me and his children.
My dear Timothy never related with lousy or unintelligent people. He always checked my excesses. He lived a very simple life.
Do you think that you will get justice for your deceased husband?
I am afraid I may not get justice with the Nigerian system. From the look of things, God should just help me and avenge for me.
I was told that the person involved is well connected. I know that the suspects will be regretting their actions now.
It is so unfortunate and disheartening that my husband left home hale and healthy without returning alive.
What are the things you will miss about your husband?
I will miss a lot. He was my all in all. He was caring. If not for my children, I don’t see anything I should be doing on earth again (sobs).
He was a good man, he taught me how to live an easy and simple life. No man can be like him. He was such a big blessing from God to me. He raised me like my parents because I lost my mother early in life. He was the one that made me miss my mother less by giving me good guidance. I respect his opinion and judgement on issues.
If he gave me money for shopping, I would spend part of it on my children. He would still go to buy clothes for me saying the money he gave me was strictly for me.
He told me a lot of secrets. Timothy’s best friends were the children and I. He would sing for the children and make them happy. He will never have a replacement in my heart. We thought he was kidnapped until we confirmed his death.
(The Nation)
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