My Husband’s Spirit Lives On –Wife Of Late Disabled Painter

Five years after the demise of Nigeria’s  disabled mouth painter, Idowu Akinrolabu, his wife, Jibola Akinrolabu, says his spirit lives on.

She disclosed this at the 5th year remembrance service held in honour of the late mouth painter at the Redeemed Christian Church of Good, RCCG, Halleluyah parish, TOS Benson Estate, Owutu.

In her words: “Since I lost him in 2007, I’v never felt really bad because the Lord has been providing for me. The Lord has proved to me that He’s really the husband of the widows.

“I can’t even say that my husband is dead because I still feel his presence around me everyday. Whenever I look at his picture, I feel his spirit surrounding me. He was such a caring and loving man; those are the things I miss about him most,” she stated.

In his own remarks, the stepson of the late Akinrolabu, Owolabi Tijani described the disabled artist as a delight to watch and that he was like a father to him.

“He was more like a father to me, so caring and very passionate about his painting. Watching him paint is the most fascinating thing I’v ever seen because he was so passionate about his work. I miss everything about him” Owolabi said.

The event also included an arts competition which, according to Jibola, “is targeted at showing people that there’s still ability in disability and also to uphold the legacy left behind by my late husband.”

Jibola further appreciated everyone who had been supporting her since she lost her husband, “especially the Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola; Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN); former Governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Lagos State Chief of Staff, Golden Penny, among others, for always providing my needs. The  Lagos State government has been wonderful to me and I really appreciate them.”

By Damilare Okunola