The Love Story Of AIG Tunji Alapini (rtd) And His Wife, Ibipo

I Met My Husband 46 Yrs Ago As A Young Girl

• AIG Tunji Alapini (rtd) Wife, Ibipo
• “I Dated Her For 10yrs”–Husband

AIG Tunji Alapini needs little introduction within the Lagos social scene. He didn’t just have a successful career as a Police Officer, he is also one guy who socialises. He lives well. He dresses well and loves the good life. And he doesnt hide it. Though many don’t know his wife, Tunji Alapinni is happily married to  Ibipo,  a retired Oyo State Permanent Secretary.

A few weeks back, Alapini’s last son got married and this lovely couple were cynosure of all eyes as they danced in looking glam in Lavender colour attire. They danced to music that was dished out by veteran musician, Yemi Sodimu. One need not be told that they are good together as they both complement each other. They are good dancers and they both have eyes for details.

Speaking with Mrs Ibipo on how she felt seeing her last son getting married, she explained that she is excited and she is on top of the world to see her son getting hooked. `That is my last child. He is the baby of the house and we are very close. I am more than happy to see today. It is the day that the lord has made. I have got every reason to be grateful.” She remarked.

For how long has she been married to AIG Alapini, we asked. “I have been married for 36years and we give God the glory.

Mrs. Ibipo doesn’t look an inch her age.  She is almost the same height with her husband and has the same body  structure with right, thing at the right places. What is the secret of her youthful look? “I don’t have any beauty routines, she says.

How easy has it been getting married to your socialite husband? “Well, It is not easy as marriage has its ups and down. I have told the couple that they must follow our footsteps. My advice will not be on the pages of newspaper but I have adviced them. The wife must be submissive. Once you are submissive as a wife, other things will follow. The bible even buttresses the act of submissiveness while the husband must love his wife. Don’t go searching for unnecessary things. Don’t dig for things and make your mind uneasy. He will love you back, no doubt,“ she revealed.

Revealing how she met her husband many years ago on the island. “Well, we leave around the same area. We are both Campus boys and Girls. We met in campus area of Lagos. His house is not too far from my house and his friend who was our bestman had a girlfriend around my House. That one was actually toasting me for another friend of his and he came along. It started like a joke,“ she said.

While many believed that it is not easy being married to a military man, Ibipo said that you have to be a patient woman to be married to a uniform man. Hear her: “it is not easy being married to anybody, its not about being a Police Officer. Each Police has a command and each command has a Police Officers’ wives Association boss in charge. When I was in charge, I advised them. Like I used to tell them, a wife can make or her husband. Love your husband, be submissive. Like me, after we got married, he was posted to Ibadan and I decided to stay in Ibadan because I had my job too. I retired as a Permanent Secretary in Oyo State. So I had my own job and I also didn’t like the idea that my children will be changing school so I decided I will stay in Ibadan.

At 62, what has kept you fit? “It is God but aside this, I do cycling occasionally, I want to start swimming now to exercise my muscle. And I have 3 grand children to look after and I pray that this time next year, their baby will join us“.

Reacting to the question of what she calls her husband, “We call each other PRES but I won’t tell you what it stands for. We have been calling each other that right from when we got married. Then we were told not to call our husband names so we give them  pet names.

Though her husband, AIG Alapini was very busy at the wedding,  he nonetheless spoke on his marriage to  Ibipo. He explained that he has been married to her for 36years. “I have been married to their mother for 36 years. We courted for 10 years before we got married. The new couple  should learn from us. I wish them well”.

AIG Alapini also explained what has sustained his marriage of 36years to his wife. “It is commitment. You can’t eat your cake and have it. You are no longer a bachelor, you are married and there is no going back. If you have left spinsterhood and bachelorhood for marriage, you must stay to make it work.  You must be able to behave like married couple. We were lucky in our time as this generation is even worse because with the introduction of social media, it has also had effect on marriage. The wassap, instagram, face book and some of them are careless with some of the things they do. All this crazy jeans they see as fashion is all madness. What are you going to give to your children?  You must inculcate good behaviour in your children.