Last week, Wednesday 4th December 2019, was the 84th birthday of Billionaire businessman, Prince Samuel Adedoyin, who is the Chairman of DOYIN Group of companies. The Chief Host of the party was his ever beautiful wife, Princess Toyin Adedoyin, who for years has kept her petite, slim shape. She and the children of the Agbamu born businessman organised a classy party that was held at the rooftop of his palatial residence in Victoria Island, Lagos. It is to the credit of this well cultured and well-mannered wife of Papa Adedoyin that she did not sit down one bit. She was the heart and soul of the party that had all her husband’s friends in attendance. She made sure everybody had enough to eat and drink. She also invited her classmates and childhood friends to the party. Everyone at the party commended her for a job well done. She made her husband, who she fondly calls Papa to come alive. Both of them danced to the excitement of all the guests. The celebrant was happy and excited. She brought the best out of Papa Adedoyin. She too was happy that her husband witnessed his 84th birthday. Both of them have a history of marking and celebrating Chief Adedoyin’s annual birthday.
City People was eager to get Princess Toyin to talk about her 32-year-old marriage to Prince Adedoyin. She hardly grants interviews. But that evening she was very glad to speak about her love story. Below are excerpts of this exciting interview with this beautiful lady who is very intelligent and highly resourceful. She spoke to SEYE KEHINDE & ABIOLA ORISILE.
What do you wish your husband on this special day of his 84th birthday?
Haa (Oore Asepe). Do you know what that means? It is a complete favour which has always been his desire and my desire for him. The unity in his family and the fullness of God and all his children will be greater than him. There is this Yoruba adage that “Eran Ki fo, Kin Iru die fon” but for him “Iru Idi won a fon. Olorun a da emi won si. Won a gbo won a to, won afi Origi jobi. That is what his wish is and that is what I wish for him.
Why do you call your husband “Papa”?
It is a long story. I have an older father and we used to call him” Papa” as a sign of affection, so when I met my husband, I used to call him Sam but my mother said I can’t call him his name because of the age difference. To me, we are lovers and I could call him his name. It was after this that I got a name of endorsement that I decided to call him “Olowo Orimi” (My Crown), Papa.
You share a very strong bond with your husband’s children, how did you do it?
Well, I will say my upbringing helped too. I am number 34 out of 36 siblings. My father had 10 wives and my English mother was the last one.
So when I entered my husband’s family, I was a good fit. You understand. So this made me fit well not only with the children but Grandchildren.
As I told you, my upbringing helped not only with Papa’s children including the grandchildren.
We were at your husbands 82nd Birthday when Aare of Lagos spoke about your love story, how long have you been married?
I have been married for 32 years and we courted for about 18 months.
What made you think he will marry you?
It was divine. He knew me since I was a child and he used to say jokingly that he will marry me.
He knew members of my family and when he visited and saw me, he would say “ Iyawo mi ni, mo ti ni mo mafe. It is prophetic. Then when I graduated, he came and said I have being waiting for you. I said I will marry from a Christian home and a well to do family and I have come for you now. We didn’t befriend each other, we started talking about marriage.
Some call you Toyin Tomato. How did you get that name?
It was Sunny Ade who gave me the name. He calls me “Atupa Adedoyin”
What has sustained your 32 years of marriage?
It is God. I have tried to break the relationship many times but my husband will say: I am the only one who knows how I prayed for you, and you are the one God gave me. So when you finish being a child, you will get back to being my wife. So he has been so patient with me. My own attitude as a child is if it works, I stay.
If it doesn’t, I go. But his own was focus. He was patient with me.
So when you are angry, what does he do?
He gives me space and when I come back to my senses, I will apologise. He says “Omode Lo see” (You are being childish). But he says “Nkan e gbe gbeyin ni. (Last bus-Stop). (Laughs)
What is the secret of a successful marriage?
It is God, submission and knowing your place. I know my place not because he is wealthier & older but because he is the head. God made him my husband “ Eni Owon ni Oko ni” (He is my beloved). So I used to say that “Eni ti o ba ni ekoda, Olorun a gba ni enu” (May God punish whoever says you are not a good person. To me, he is the best gift God has given me. I thank God! For this. I treasure him. May God spare his life for us all.
Your skin glows, what have you done differently?
I am white English. My mum is white English.
You know that there are some whites that are Africans but my mum is Caucasian English. Her parents are British English and she was brought to Nigeria.
How many children did your mother have for your father?
My mum has 2 daughters. She is Mrs. Tokunbo Awogboro, The Nail Studio fame.
You are so beautiful & if I am asked to guess your age, I will say the late 40s, how old are you?
I have passed 55years. When you pray and fast, your figure stays. I eat in moderation and I fast a lot.
Where is your mum?
She is dead. She died in 1993 when I had my last child.
Why do you fast a lot?
I can’t visit a Herbalist, so I run to God.
You have a stern face but your heart is soft, have you ever experienced some form of misconception?
A misconception is part of life. People who know you, know you and know what you stand for.
What do you wish your husband?
He will live long in good health. Ara won a ba le won a jere awon omo won” (May he eat the fruit of his labour.
I don’t want to be a rich widow. I want to live long with him. I used to tell him, live long so that we can rock together.
Don’t leave money for me, live with me, so we can enjoy together.
What do you mean by rich widow? I see many who want to live as rich widows.
God forbid. I have been doing everything. I pray that we live long together. Now I have 3 grandsons and we join with his. I am a grandma of many children.
You are very close to the older Adedoyin children, how did you do it?
It is my background that helped me and my husband has good children. “Owo ti won na si mi, ni mo no si, won” Respect is reciprocal).
How do you treat your skin?
It’s my natural skin. Nothing much is being done to it. People don’t realise I am English because I speak Yoruba?
Your father is from which state?
My father is from Oke-Imesi where they eat plantain with butter. My father is Oni and sons of Ibadan.
So you are related to Mrs. Joko Oni?
Yes, she is my elder brother’s wife. Her husband is number 3.
You are a very likable person even among your husband’s friends, how did you do this?
They were all present when my husband came to seek my hand in marriage.
