Last week, the Ibadan political and social circles were thrown into deep mourning once more. The beautiful wife of a former Senate Leader and the senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Teslim Folarin, Angela Folarin succumbed to death.
Angela died in the United Kingdom on Friday 28 January 2022. She was aged 48. She left behind a lovely family. Her death remains shocking and sad to the family and friends, especially her husband, Senator Teslim Folarin. Because Angela was said to be hale and hearty until her sudden death in the UK on that Friday afternoon. The heartbroken bereaved husband, in a short message on Facebook, wrote: “You were everything to me and your beloved children! “Angy, the vacuum you left behind is undoubtedly difficult to fill. Allah’s Decision is SUPREME.”
This is indeed a trying period for Ibadan, Ogbomoso and Oyo State generally. The state has lost many of its prominent Indigenes between last year December and January 2022. The Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Oladunni Oyewumi, Ajagungbade 111; Asigangan of Igangan land, Oba Abdul-Azeez Adewuyi Adeoye, Aribiyan 11, Gbadewolu 1; Olubadan of Ibadanland Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1; Soun’s daughter, Prof. Taibat Bolanle Danmole; a former governor of the state, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala and a Political Science don of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Alex Gboyega all died within the space of fewer than two months. But the youngest out of all these deaths is Angela Folarin’s.
Chief (Mrs) Angela Nwaka Folarin has been described by many as a lovable, warm and kindhearted woman in her lifetime. She loved her husband and the children to a fault. In fact, Senator Folarin and Angela have been tagged the Romeo and Juliet of Ibadan. She was a great pillar behind her husband not only in the homefront but also in his political life. She was a great mobilizer and a grassroots politician. Angela dined and wined with the least of the society. She never looked down on people. She was also a cheerful giver and always ready to support people in whatever way she could. Those whose paths have crossed hers can testify to that.
All these and much more late Angela said, in a brief chat with City People in 2017, really helped her public and private life, as well as her marriage. It is also worthy of note that late Angela was the highest Igbo titleholder in Oyo State. She was the Ada di Igbo Nma of Oyo State. Speaking on how she was able to adapt to Ibadan culture and tradition as an Ibo woman, Angela said: “I was born in Ibadan. My family have been in Ibadan for many years, so it was not difficult for me to have adapted into the system. Senator and I spent most of our formative years in the U.K and we arrived back in Nigeria about the same time. And immediately I became familiar with the Ibadan people and the tradition. I find them very accommodating and kind people. A lot of them are respected people, some high chiefs, especially my mother-in-law. She never for one day treated me as a daughter-in-law, she treated me as her last born. She corrected my mistakes, tolerated my excesses and she was very proud of me. That was why I decided and tried my best in making her burial ceremony a special one, by playing my own little part. May her soul rest in peace.”
On how she has been able to keep her home and marriage as peaceful as possible over the years, especially with so much crowd around Senator Folarin, being a politician of note. Angela has this to say: “Patience, tolerance, support of one another, especially for his political activities. We need to be very, very strong around each other because there are so many external forces that come in the way of marriage. Also, keeping it very simple is another thing. Having the spirit of contentment, having a spirit of industry, having a spirit of charity. These are the things that keep us going. Senator is an introverted person while I am extroverted so we service both constituencies well.”
“Another thing is the fact that I’m married to a God-fearing man, for better or worse.” On what attracted Senator Folarin to Angela, apart from her beauty. Angela’s response was very direct, “ You may have to ask him that question. But from what he told me probably my supportive nature. Because every politician needs a woman who is supportive and understanding. That is what I have been giving him and he has been more than a good husband too.” Angela also spoke on how she got the courage to have been deeply involved in her husband’s political career the way she did.
“I come from a family of politicians in Delta State. We have had several people who had served at the Federal level as well so maybe it is in my blood. I’m also a lawyer by profession and I’m also a very quick learner. Most politicians congregated in my house on a daily basis so it is very easy to learn and pick up few things.” On her experience being married to a politician and the challenges that follow. “It is nice when it is nice and it’s difficult when it’s difficult. But all in all it’s an interesting institution. I have never had a dull day in my life and I think it is a very interesting phenomenon.
At the same time it could be very frustrating when we are married to these men who keep us in the trenches. What can we do but just to provide the support.” On her glowing skin and girlish look, style and dress sense, as she always stood out at social events. ”Funny enough I don’t have special treatment for my skin except for peace of mind and eat healthily. “My dress sense is strictly based on content and keeping in mind the fact that my husband is a staunch Muslim and I dress according to Islamic distinct, especially when I’m in Ibadan.”
While it’s a known fact that Angela was an achiever; a trained lawyer, mother and a good wife. There is this her wish she couldn’t fulfil, however.
Angela wished to write a book about her mother-in-law, late Alhaja Sidikatu Abebi Folarin. She made this revelation on her Facebook page in a touching tribute in memory of Mama. She wrote: “One day, I’m going to write a book about Sidikatu Abebi. She had glaucoma and never saw me. ‘The first day that her son took me to her, she felt my hands. I was apprehensive. She told me that her son had found a place in Delta. And that she felt at peace with me, a single mother.’ She fought me sending Obonya to Eton. She wanted him by her side all the time.
Then she sent food, chin chin, indomie, sweets, she wanted him to be happy, and for them to know that he was her grandson, who them be? As we had insisted that he go. Our political conspiracies, I would tell you that I want to move one way, and your son is on another path, you would tell me, leave matter! I know how to handle it. Yet, you had never seen my face! We probably spent about 15 years together. YOU NEVER SAW MY FACE. I remember some girls coming to the house, trying to come and ‘marry’ your son, as I am not an Ibadan woman. You told them that this girl is from Niger Delta. My hand no dey o! They are militants from that side. In your later years, we loved your son, Tesi. You held whoever he loved to the highest esteem. Our political struggles wore you out, but you stood strong for morale.
In your final days, 101 years old, all I could do, was to take a drip with you, and I told our doctor, just give me a drip to make her feel together with me. We held each other all along till the end. Why am I doing this? Because you never saw my face. You only knew my heart. And you trusted this silly girl.
Iya mi. Two years have gone by, but I learned this kind of love as a mother. Will you ever see Angela’s face? That’s why I’ve been crying all day.”
-Dare Adeniran
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