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Young Jounalist, Onaolapo Olalekan Oduola Shares Life Experience After His Wife’s Death
My name is Onaolapo Olalekan Oduola. I was born and raised in Ebute-Metta, Lagos, where I began my journey through life. I had my elementary education in Oyingbo and attended Oke-Ode for junior high school before completing my senior secondary education at Aiyetoro Senior Secondary School, Okobaba. From there, I advanced to Lagos State Polytechnic and later earned a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) at Pan-Atlantic University in 2023, specializing in Advancing Nutrition, Health, and Environmental Awareness through the Media.
Today, I am a journalist with years of experience in prominent Nigerian media houses like Global Excellence Magazine and City People Magazine. Now, I am the CEO of the fast-growing online platform Mockingbird Online Daily Newspaper.
I hail from Offa, Kwara State, and in a few months, I will celebrate 40 years on earth. However, my journey has been marked by triumphs, trials, and an unimaginable loss that reshaped my life forever.
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Love Blossomed and a Family was Born
On December 20, 2019, I married the love of my life, a woman who was my partner, my best friend, and my biggest supporter. Together, we built a beautiful life filled with love, laughter, and dreams. Our joy expanded on March 5, 2020, when we welcomed our son, Onaolapo Oladimeji Abdul Basit, into the world. Life felt complete.
But on October 14, 2023, everything changed. My wife, the center of my world, passed away during childbirth, along with our unborn child. That day was meant to be a double celebration—her 35th birthday and our baby’s naming ceremony. Instead, it became the darkest day of my life.
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The Day My World Crumbled
My wife had been healthy and vibrant that morning, going about her chores with no indication that labor was near. When it began, we rushed to the hospital, clinging to hope for a safe delivery. On my way, her sister called to inform me we had lost the baby. While heartbroken, I held on to the thought that at least my wife would survive.
But when I arrived, I met her lifeless body. My world shattered. She was gone. The love of my life, the mother of my child, and the woman with whom I had planned a future—gone in an instant. The pain was unbearable.
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Navigating the Storm
In the wake of her passing, I was left to pick up the pieces of a life torn apart. The unprofessionalism of the nurse on duty and the careless actions of my mother-in-law worsened the tragedy. Instead of unity, I faced challenges that deepened my grief.
My wife’s family, whom I had embraced as my own, betrayed my trust. They took her belongings and offered no solace in my time of need. Amid my grief, I dealt with deceit, a fraudulent caretaker, and the demolition of my home by government authorities.
Through it all, my focus remained on my son. I wanted to ensure he never felt the absence of his mother too deeply. I allowed my mother-in-law to care for him temporarily, thinking it was the best decision. Instead, it became another source of pain. She made access to my son difficult, extorted money from me, and lodged false accusations against me.
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Fighting for My Son
Despite the challenges, I fought to reclaim my son. After months of disputes, the law affirmed my right to custody. Today, my boy is with me, and I am determined to give him a life filled with love, stability, and opportunities.
We spend our days playing, exploring, and bonding. His laughter is my strength, and his presence reminds me of the love I once shared with his mother.
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A Father’s Reflection
The loss of my wife has left a void that can never be filled. She was everything to me—my confidant, my partner, and my inspiration. I miss her every day, but I find comfort in the memories we shared and in the joy of raising our son.
Though the road ahead is uncertain, I am committed to building a future that honors her memory. Her dreams for our family continue to drive me, and I remain hopeful that brighter days are ahead.
May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace, and may God grant me the strength to be the father and man she always believed I could be.
