On Monday, April 6, 2026, widow of late mathematician, Dr Omololu Olunloyo, Mrs Aderonke hosted guests for the first anniversary of the former governor of Oyo State after she had laid a wreath on his tomb at the St David Church, Kudeti, Ibadan. Later in the day, she also hosted TheTabloid.net during which she spoke on her first year without her husband of 35 years. Excerpts
One year after the demise of your husband, Dr Omololu Olunloyo, how has life been with you?
Let me put it this way. It has been tough; it has been lonely. In truth, I have never ever felt as lonely since we met and married in 1990.
1990?
I know where you are going. Yes, we met and married in 1990, not 1982 or what being peddled by the lazy ones.
Can you then be more explicit for the sake of clarification? How did you meet him or vice versa?
It was an interesting encounter, so to say. It was in the office of the late Chief Adesehun Ogundoyin we met. When he saw me, he said to me that he would marry me. He said it in a manner that was funny and sudden; we had in attendance some of his friends, all of whom backed him.
Was that all?
No. I told him that he was married, and he did not deny it. Then, I said the only condition to marry him was for him to take me to his wife. Wait for it! He did take me to his wife; she received me, and that action of his satisfied me and sealed my resolve to marry him. That was the picture or, better still, history of our romantic journey which lasted us 35 memorable years before his passing. He breathed his last on my arms.
What precisely did you miss in the past one year of his absence in this house?
From where should I start? If you knew us during his lifetime, you would have an idea of what I have missed, and which I am still missing. I just told you that I felt lonely; that is an understatement but the summary of it. Dr was all over me during his life. He was romantic; a lover boy. He knew how to treat me as if he did not have another woman. I think Ibadan men are very good in that particular skill. Even despite his age and health challenge, he remained his very vibrant self, not showing he was not as strong. And he would always say that as long as his brain was not touched by the health challenge, he had no problem. We would engage in intense debate over varied issues. You could not be with him, if you are knowledge inclined, without learning. He was knowledge personified; highly cerebral and tireless. He would write, he would read, he would spend hours in library as if he had exams to write. I cannot exhaust all his positive attributes that will make him unforgettable, not only to me but also to people who actually know his worth as an intellectual respected globally.
Globally?
Yes, unfortunately, here, his country, he is not accorded the respect he rightfully deserved as a patriotic Nigerian who was always concerned about the state of the nation and Nigeria of his dream. I remember that Babaginda, when he was head of state, would call Dr and tell him that the Armed Forces Ruling Council discussed his articles published in the Tribune at their weekly meetings. It means that military regime appreciated the value of his articles. They knew he was uncompromising in his views, mostly critical views that spoke truth to them.
Can you recall few of his articles?
He wrote one in which he prophetically analysed late Shonekan, MKO Abiola and Abacha. He also wrote another one foretelling what would happen to Abiola’s wife, late Kudirat Abiola. Incidentally, that article was published on the day Kudrat was killed in Lagos in 1996. Dr was an asset to Nigeria in his capacity and prowess but Nigeria is bereft of right leadership to appreciate him. There was a book launch here in Ibadan where he told the then President Obasanjo to his face that witholding Lagos State allocation was wrong. Is it not an irony that the Lagos State governor of that time, now president, is doing the same thing to Osun State? That is the type of leadership we have in this country.
He made that statement despite his relationship with Chief Obasanjo?
Dr treated issues, not personalities behind issues. His relationship with Obasanjo or anyone would not stop him from expressing his mind and going hard if need be. He was not somebody anybody or anything would influence to act against his conscience. That is why very few politicians attended his funeral. Dr did not regret his life of not stealing public fund.
When was the last time he was with Obasanjo?
It was Obasanjo who came here after my message to him about my dream of Dr’s health. He responded to my message and explained why he would not come immediately. He came and saw Dr. As a parting shot, so to say, he told him that he had tried his best and he should go and enjoy his eternal rest. That was a few months to his passing.
Being a politician who rose and became governor, he must have influenced your political consciousness and affiliation. How true or otherwise is this view?
Let’s get it clear, I didn’t meet him as a politician. I met him during military regime. I rather met and worked with late Chief Bola Ige as a politician; it was during that period I was exposed politically and understood politics. Of course, when I married Dr, through our conversations and regular arguments, I got to know lots more of political issues to the extent that I am qualified to be called a political analyst but definitely not a politician. I am not a politician but as I speak, I can process information coming from political parties and tell what would happen to them in the coming elections.
Then, what do you see as Oyo State is set for another major elections next year?
After all we have read and seen, as regards Makinde and the PDP (Peoples Democratic Party), anybody who writes Makinde off does so at his or her own peril.
Meaning what?
Makinde still holds the ace, regardless of the situation of the PDP now under Wike’s control. Makinde will still determine who succeeds him in 2027. Just mark my word. It is a matter of time. He is on top of his game, and that is all I can say about that.
Back to your husband, what other thing are you missing in him?
I said he is inexhaustible. My consolation and joy is that he lived well; he ate well; he drank well too. He would go to Lagos in search of seafoods to buy; he loved octopus so much. He ate today as if tomorrow was not coming. That is, he would eat the best meal now, not minding if he would not afford the same delicacy tomorrow. He listened to good music, in love with Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, KSA, Haruna Isola and Ayinde Barrister. He was gentle at home and a loving family man, loved to be cuddled.
It sounded unbelievable that he was deserted by politicians.
That was his experience but there was an exception. The Adeleke family of Ede stood by us. Dr Wale Babalakin too. Chief Afe Babalola, Mr Dare Adeleke, Chief Nike Onikepe Akande, Mrs Dupe Jembewon, Chief Olabode George, late Alhaji Yekeen Adeojo, Mr Bisi Ilaka, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola, Senator Ibikunle Amosu. There are others too.
***Published on April 11, 2026
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