Unlike in other climes, the lives of WAGS (wife and girlfriends)of Nigerian footballers (and other athletes) are often shrouded in secrecy with little or nothing to share but the good news is that some are living like real-life couples in their marriage trenches with joy and happiness. Three former Nigerian internationals – Mutiu Adepoju, Patrick Pascal and Garba Lawal – along with their wives, share secrets of their marriage as well as other things that have cemented their love in a tell-tale conversation with MORAKINYO ABODUNRIN. Enjoy the reading…
BIMPE & MUTIU ADEPOJU
‘Secret of our marriage:
Love and respect’
In Bimpe and Mutiu Adepoju, there is certainty that no one believes love at first sight until that special person comes along and steals your heart.
“Yes, it (our relationship) was love at first sight because his simplicity will make you want to know him more,” admitted Bimpe. “I met my husband as far back in 1989 through a friend of mine with her boyfriend who is her husband today as well.”
She continued: “Sorry to say this, I was not a football fan at that time so I didn’t really put attention even when I was asked if I wanted his signed photograph. I was like for what? because I was not a football fan
“But I got to know him while talking and that was how we became friends, his gentility and humbleness attracted me to him.
“We courted for three years before we got married; it wasn’t a formal proposal per se, he’s a very shy person, but he knows what he wants and he goes for it. Everything between us just flows naturally.”
Mutiu would also admit that theirs was like a marriage made in heaven since he was attracted to her right from the first day he set eyes on her: “I got attracted by her beauty at first, and then when we got talking, I discovered her intelligence and other attributes.
“We met through a friend of mine named Chris. He came to visit me with his girlfriend who is now his wife as well; she came with them and the rest is history.
“Of course I’ve met others (before her), but the moment I met her, I knew she’s the one. I saw so many qualities in her and some of them apart from beauty are: intelligence, simplicity, hard work, amongst others.”
Like the attraction between moths and light, the Adepojus have stayed glued to each other ever since and Bimpe further explained the beauty of their relationship: “The qualities of my father I saw in him (my husband) are his gentility, simplicity and care. I pray to God every day for our girls, when they are ready, to bring to their paths husbands like their father.
“He has not changed a bit; he’s still the same person I knew from the beginning, very loving and caring. He’s very romantic, he is a very loving person to a fault; probably he has changed in age but we make him talk more than before.
“He’s a loving and caring father. The children are always looking up to him and they always want him at home whenever he’s away. It’s like we’re used to it, because he always makes up for the time he was not around.”
Mutiu added his own voice: “The nature of my job keeps me out of home a lot but I try as much as possible to make it up by being with them every moment I’m at home. I take them out often and sometimes we go to the cinema and malls.”
The Adepojus have been blessed with four adorable daughters and Bimpe explained the significant circumstances surrounding their births and how well the family copes with the demands of his job that usually takes him away.
Bimpe offered some explanations: “We have four beautiful girls – Nofisat Atinuke (Tinu), Maryam Mopelade (Lade), Khadijat Abiola (Abby) and Shakirat Omolola (Lola). He was around during the delivery of our first born, Tinu, but left for a Super Eagles’ match the second day.
“He tried all his best possible but couldn’t get to London on time for Lade’s delivery but he took over immediately he arrived and I still remember my friend Joy asking how come he can handle so well to bath a new born baby.
“He was given two days free which he used to fly over to the USA just to be present at the delivery of our third girl, Abby, in Champaign Illinois. And for Lola’s delivery in Alicante-Spain, he was away in Turkey as well but came home immediately after.
“Tinu is now a graduate of Telematics & Telecommunication Engineering and working right now with an American company CISCO in Brussels. Lade is studying International Business in Queens University in Charlotte, North Carolina USA, and she’s a member of her university basketball team. Abby loves the fashion world and doing photography right now while Lola is still in secondary school and playing basketball as well.
“I allowed them to go into sport because they grew up knowing that their father is a sportsman. They’re sporty themselves and I don’t miss my gym either. Sport in our house is a natural thing; we never have to force them and have always chosen any sport they want. I believe sport is healthy and they love it too.”
Yet Bimpe says she loves her beau to bits for so many obvious reasons. “There is no secret than love, understanding and respect. The fact is that he hardly gets angry except when he sees injustice; thank God I never have to (appease him) because he hardly gets angry.
“We don’t really wait for any special occasion for gift in our house, since we both travel a lot; we always bring gift for the family.
“Of course, we have travelled to many beautiful places but I will choose New York as the best. His favourite food is amala (yam flour) as a true omo (son) Ibadan and he likes hip-hop too,” noted Bimpe who is a trained cosmetologist.
MEET BIMPE ADEPOJU
My name is Bimpe Adepoju, I’m from the Olatunji Family of Ile Obanla of Imesi-Ile, Osun State. But was born in Lagos, being the fifth girl of family of six and I was less than two years old when I didn’t allow my grandmother to go back to my native town Imesi-Ile without taking me along with her. So, all my childhood, primary and secondary education took place there, which I miss so much. Although I always travelled to Lagos for my vacations with parents and siblings, but always looking forward to going back with my dear grandmother and I would always love to go back to visit anytime any day and more because there, I have my grandparents and my parents buried (may their souls rest in peace). I am an entrepreneur by nature. I’ve always liked to be independent and I thank God for my husband who allows me to be me.
EMEH & PATRICK PASCAL
‘Friendship, understanding sustain our marriage’
Patrick Pascal, former Nigerian International, once squealed his best companion was his iPad and like a Siamese twins, man and machine were inseparable.
“I try to relax by watching the television,” Pascal, a Business Management graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, said in a file interview with The Nation. “But I’m also crazy about sourcing the internet and my best friend is my iPad; it helps me in monitoring happenings around the world.
“I like listening to news and that is why I’ve found the iPad very useful. When you see me, you see my iPad; it keeps me busy always and it exposes me to new things around the globe,” he added.
But today, the iPad is like a bauble in the home of the former Shooting Stars’ striker with outpouring of love to his delectable wife, Emeh, who he describes as his best and better companion.
“My wife is actually from Akwa Ibom State but what struck me the first time I saw her was her complexion and beauty; and you know I’m a black man,” Pascal, the current Super Eagles’ coordinator, explained. “I just felt, this is the person I wanted to marry and have a good family with because the nature of our job demands we have a very caring and understanding wife and I don’t regret my choice because she is not only my wife but my best friend. I’m not always around but she sacrifices a lot for the family.”
Though Emeh would be the first to admit that marrying an athlete, particularly a retired (but still very active) footballer is not an easy thing, her succour is that Patrick remains her best friend and a doting father for that matter.
“I met my husband when I came to school in the university here (Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa University, Bauchi),” recalled Emeh, the daughter of a late army officer. “He was and still is this strong and independent guy who stole my heart away and what really attracted me to him was his no nonsense attitude; despite that, he is very loving and caring.
“I would say it was love at first sight because why would a 19-year-old girl agree to marriage within the first week of meeting? He had mentioned when we first met that this was a marriage issue and I agreed.
“But after a year, we went out to hang out and he brought out the ring and knelt down and I said yes!! We courted for a year before marriage.”
Emeh said meeting Patrick defused the long-held notion that a girl’s first true love is only her father, adding that she didn’t regret their instantaneous lovey-dovey: “That notion that daughter’s first love story does not apply to everyone; my husband is the opposite of my late dad Colonel Otu Usendiah.
“My first impression was that he’s a quiet guy but he isn’t. But he’s like what they say about fine wine, he gets better and sweeter every day. After almost 13 years of marriage, my husband is a better version of himself. He loves better, he is more caring and attentive than at first but he does speak his mind anytime anywhere.
“He likes straight forward people; anyone who is lazy cannot stay with him. He has low patience level, so if you are around him, you have to be on top of your game all the time.”
Yet Emeh said she was grappling with the rigours of being the wife of an athlete who is not always with the family since work often takes her husband out of their home in Bauchi.
She explained: “It’s difficult with him always being away but I’m always busy with the kids and my work; taking care of four children and the house is time-consuming. Before I know it, he is back again.
“When he’s away we get to talk on the phone and chat a lot; it makes up for lost time too. He is an amazing father and he dots over the children so much. He cares and provides for them. They go to the stadium together for trainings when he is around, plays with them; he’s just awesome with the kids.”
But how did she cope during the delivery of the kids even with his unavoidable absence repeatedly.
“The best gifts I have gotten from my husband were the kids,” Emeh said with a roaring laughter. “Hubby wasn’t around when I had my first kid in November 2005 and as a first timer, I had to go to Abuja to be with my mum. He wasn’t available too when I also had my second child, a boy, in Abuja in April 2007.
“I had my third child, a girl, on October 10, 2010 and that was a unique day for many reasons. I had her delivery here in Bauchi and that was the only delivery hubby was present. In fact, I really wanted him to experience it (the childbirth) with me but he just stepped out to sort something out and by the time he came back, I had delivered. My last girl was in April 2015, but he was in Abuja working during the elections.”
A keen sport lover in her younger years, Emeh enthused she would allow her kids go into sports on one condition: “Of course, I wouldn’t mind them going into sports as far as they go to school. When I was in secondary school I did high jump, 100 metres race and also played football.
“I still love football and I support the national teams. I’m always on my toes throughout their matches screaming my lungs out and when they won like the 4-2 defeat of Argentina, I was dancing round in a circle with the kids.
“My husband loves pounded yam with white soup; then he cannot do without bread and tea. He loves old school music and Makossa music. He also loves Tupac and Bob Marley.
Patrick Pascal, former Nigerian International, once squealed his best companion was his iPad and like a Siamese twins, man and machine were inseparable.
“I try to relax by watching the television,” Pascal, a Business Management graduate of the Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, said in a file interview with The Nation. “But I’m also crazy about sourcing the internet and my best friend is my iPad; it helps me in monitoring happenings around the world.
“I like listening to news and that is why I’ve found the iPad very useful. When you see me, you see my iPad; it keeps me busy always and it exposes me to new things around the globe,” he added.
But today, the iPad is like a bauble in the home of the former Shooting Stars’ striker with outpouring of love to his delectable wife, Emeh, who he describes as his best and better companion.
“My wife is actually from Akwa Ibom State but what struck me the first time I saw her was her complexion and beauty; and you know I’m a black man,” Pascal, the current Super Eagles’ coordinator, explained. “I just felt, this is the person I wanted to marry and have a good family with because the nature of our job demands we have a very caring and understanding wife and I don’t regret my choice because she is not only my wife but my best friend. I’m not always around but she sacrifices a lot for the family.”
Though Emeh would be the first to admit that marrying an athlete, particularly a retired (but still very active) footballer is not an easy thing, her succour is that Patrick remains her best friend and a doting father for that matter.
“I met my husband when I came to school in the university here (Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa University, Bauchi),” recalled Emeh, the daughter of a late army officer. “He was and still is this strong and independent guy who stole my heart away and what really attracted me to him was his no nonsense attitude; despite that, he is very loving and caring.
“I would say it was love at first sight because why would a 19-year-old girl agree to marriage within the first week of meeting? He had mentioned when we first met that this was a marriage issue and I agreed.
“But after a year, we went out to hang out and he brought out the ring and knelt down and I said yes!! We courted for a year before marriage.”
Emeh said meeting Patrick defused the long-held notion that a girl’s first true love is only her father, adding that she didn’t regret their instantaneous lovey-dovey: “That notion that daughter’s first love story does not apply to everyone; my husband is the opposite of my late dad Colonel Otu Usendiah.
“My first impression was that he’s a quiet guy but he isn’t. But he’s like what they say about fine wine, he gets better and sweeter every day. After almost 13 years of marriage, my husband is a better version of himself. He loves better, he is more caring and attentive than at first but he does speak his mind anytime anywhere.
“He likes straight forward people; anyone who is lazy cannot stay with him. He has low patience level, so if you are around him, you have to be on top of your game all the time.”
Yet Emeh said she was grappling with the rigours of being the wife of an athlete who is not always with the family since work often takes her husband out of their home in Bauchi.
She explained: “It’s difficult with him always being away but I’m always busy with the kids and my work; taking care of four children and the house is time-consuming. Before I know it, he is back again.
“When he’s away we get to talk on the phone and chat a lot; it makes up for lost time too. He is an amazing father and he dots over the children so much. He cares and provides for them. They go to the stadium together for trainings when he is around, plays with them; he’s just awesome with the kids.”
But how did she cope during the delivery of the kids even with his unavoidable absence repeatedly.
“The best gifts I have gotten from my husband were the kids,” Emeh said with a roaring laughter. “Hubby wasn’t around when I had my first kid in November 2005 and as a first timer, I had to go to Abuja to be with my mum. He wasn’t available too when I also had my second child, a boy, in Abuja in April 2007.
“I had my third child, a girl, on October 10, 2010 and that was a unique day for many reasons. I had her delivery here in Bauchi and that was the only delivery hubby was present. In fact, I really wanted him to experience it (the childbirth) with me but he just stepped out to sort something out and by the time he came back, I had delivered. My last girl was in April 2015, but he was in Abuja working during the elections.”
A keen sport lover in her younger years, Emeh enthused she would allow her kids go into sports on one condition: “Of course, I wouldn’t mind them going into sports as far as they go to school. When I was in secondary school I did high jump, 100 metres race and also played football.
“I still love football and I support the national teams. I’m always on my toes throughout their matches screaming my lungs out and when they won like the 4-2 defeat of Argentina, I was dancing round in a circle with the kids.
“My husband loves pounded yam with white soup; then he cannot do without bread and tea. He loves old school music and Makossa music. He also loves Tupac and Bob Marley
MEET EMEH PATRICK PASCAL
My name is Umeh-Usendiah Patrick Pascal. I’m from a family of five. I’m the third child. I met my husband in 2003; I just finished secondary school and got admission into Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa University, Bauchi. My dad was a military personnel and my mum worked and still works at the National Universities Commission (NUC) where she is a director now.
FATIMA & GARBA LAWAL
‘Patience and respect, key to our marriage’
Experts say married couple most often than not, have contrasting characteristics to complement each other but there seemed to be no marked differences between Fatima and Garba Lawal – the love birds are epitome of candour and patience.
Lawal, the former Super Eagles’ midfield Trojan in his heyday, is as cool as cucumber and you have to really squeeze water out of stone to get him speak about any other thing than his affirmed love for football.
“You can meet your wife anywhere, after all something would always lead a man to a woman,” Lawal long told our correspondent in an interview. “Maybe you can meet a woman of your dream at a restaurant, maybe at a marriage reception, maybe somebody recommends a fine girl to you or on the street. Something must join a man and woman together.
“I think our meeting was just a coincidence because I actually went out to buy some foodstuffs when I first saw her. What attracted me to her was her nice disposition and frankly, she is beautiful,” he noted.
Responding to enquiries about that fortuitous encounter with Lawal, Fatima reeled with laughter before opening up: “We met here in Kaduna; at the Murtala Square where I usually go for walkout then. I think what attracted me was his calmness and simplicity. It wasn’t a case of love at first sight and we actually started with phone calls and we dated for almost a year.
“He actually proposed to me through a text message, so there wasn’t any gift when he proposed.”
Speaking further, Fatima said Lawal shares striking qualities with her father which has naturally impacted on their marriage, adding that the former Roda JC star is a husband to be proud of.
“My husband is loving and extremely caring and he’s like my father, the best father in world,” hinted Fatima. “My husband has some qualities like my father with the way he stands and takes care of his family in any situation. He’s also religious and very neat.”
While the marriage between the duo has produced two lovely kids: a boy and a girl, Fatima said her love with Lawal is still fresh as the first beam glittering on a sail, revealing the 43-year-old former coordinator of the national Under-17 team that won silver during the FIFA U-17 World Cup Nigeria 2009, remains her ultimate lover boy.“Marriage and arrival of our children haven’t changed him; he is still the same person. He is loving and caring and plays with the children a lot.
“He is very romantic and he loves teasing me a lot and there is nothing about him that I don’t like,” she explained.
Though no wife of an athlete enjoys the luxury of having her husband close-by as much as she wanted, occasioned with his constant travels outside their home in Kaduna, Fatima said she has since adjusted to such demanding lifestyle: “Yes, my husband’s work sometimes takes him away and at first I used to be lonely, but now I’m already used to it. We have two lovely kids now, Abubakar and Aisha. My husband was there in the labour room with me (during their births).”
Lawal cut in: “I always miss my family if I’m not around but I give them the best of my time when I’m at home. I’m happy with the woman I married; she is God-fearing, she has good heart, she is dedicated, smart, patient and very beautiful.”
In another breath, Fatima has equally given a rare insight into the kind the personae of Lawal, adding that she had long discovered the road to the heart of her significant other.
MEET FATIMA LAWAL
My name is Fatima Akilu. I’m from Kano State but was born and brought up in Kaduna. We are four children of my parents; three girls and a boy, but I’m the first born of the family. I studied Sociology at Bayero University in Kano. We got married in December 2009 and by the grace of God we are now blessed with two lovely kids: Abubakar and Aisha.