11th July, 2012
Sherifat Ololade Ogbungbade, ex-wife of the late Samuel Ojebode, also explained why she separated from the late footballer and former skipper of 3SC of Ibadan
We learnt that you were also his wife, but you answer another person’s name, why not Ojebode?
I am Mrs. Sherifat Ololade Ogungbade. I have divorced Ojebode and re-married to another man bearing Ogungbade and I have children there.
What did Ojebode do to you during his life time before you left him?
Nothing. It just happened that way.
What attracted him to you in the first instance?
He was very kind, gentle, caring, discipline and a responsible man. I was with him when he captained 3SC to win the African Cup. We were happy when his team won the cup. We were together when he was celebrating the cup success with the late Lekan Salami and I could recall following him around then.
Are you a sport lover?
Yes, because of him. I am from Ibadan, in Oyo State.
What will you miss about him?
He was my first love and no one can take that away from me. I will miss him for the rest of my life because he took everything lightly. He was a very simple man to an extent that you can’t provoke him and he had listening ears.
What was your last moment with him?
After I left him, he was always at my school to see me. I am a retired teacher. But, the last time we talked was on his sick bed and he said ‘Mama Bimbo, pray for me, please always pray for me,’ and I replied by telling him to be rest assured that I was praying for him.
Does that mean you still loved him?
Sincerely, the love is still there. My people know about that. We separated because of religion. I am from a Muslim background and my parents warned I should not marry a Christian, that I must leave him.
Even after you have children for him?
Yes. Then, religion was taken very seriously. Muslims then will not allow their daughters marry Christians. And, Ojebode being a prominent person, the only condition my parents gave for the marriage to work was if he could convert to a muslim.
How did you feel divorcing him knowing fully that you have children for him?
I had to listen to my parents.
What will you remember him for?
Many things. I will remember him for being there for me even after I had left him. He was always there for me. I can recall how he assisted me greatly when I was having problem in my present marriage and all my children.
How many years did you stay together in marriage?
About five years.
How did you meet him?
I met him through the girlfriend of Dauda Adepoju. They did the magic and it just went like that.
How did he toast you?
(Laughter), Things just went straight. He was very handsome, tall, thin and popular but he did not have money then. It was when we had our introduction that my parents rejected him. The late Lekan Salami knew about it. So we did not divorce, we just went our own ways.