Ex-Ogun Agric Commissioner, Odedina Shares Wife’s Intrinsic Value Of ‘Letting Go’ Attribute

ABEOKUTA – A former Commissioner for Agriculture in Ogun State, Dr. Adeola Odedina has shared a shocking testimony of his wife’s secret attributes about giving up on material things on self conviction.

According to the ex-Ogun Agric Commissioner, this attribute was born out of his wife’s conviction for fear of God, tolerance, and enjoyment of life.

Dr. Odedina emphasizes the importance of fearing God, enjoying life, and maintaining a balance between tolerance and standing firm.

Odedina, who shared their marriage sojourn through his official Facebook handle, said letting go of anything has never been an issue to his wife, even if it is something being coveted by someone or a group of people.

Dr. Odedina explained that his wife, Prof. Joy Odedina’s resolution on tolerance and maintaining boundary was predicated on self-conviction and Godly virtues.

Relishing on their marital life as a successful couple of over 30years, the former Commissioner for Agriculture in Ogun State added further that his wife had to quit her oil booming job with Agip oil in Port Harcourt to become a housewife and joined him in Akure to prove that, money and materials are infinitesimal over peace of mind.

Their story is a testament to the power of love, adaptability, and trust, as they navigated career shifts, relocation, and life’s uncertainties together.

He said, “When my fiancée and I parted ways at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology close to 30 years ago, I headed to Akure to resume my lecturing job at the Federal College of Agriculture, after completing my postgraduate studies. I had initially taken a study leave from my job to pursue further studies, so I had to return to my position.

“As for her, she didn’t have to look for a job, given that her family’s villages – her father’s and mother’s – were blessed with oil wells. She immediately joined Agip Oil company Limited ( NOAC) in the department where host communities are empowered( Green River Project) with agricultural skills. I, on the other hand, was still unmarried at the time, though there were many fishes in the ocean, as the saying goes.

“As I settled back into my job in Akure, my focus began to wade, and I found myself making weekly trips to Port Harcourt, driving my Datsun Laurel. I didn’t want anyone to start building on the foundation I’d laid. It was during one of these trips, on her first week on the job, that I asked her why she wasn’t heading to work.

“She said her driver was coming to pick her up, and I thought she meant a commercial vehicle from the neighbourhood. But, to my surprise, a fully air-conditioned utility jeep pulled up, with a driver who looked like a pilot, addressing her as “Madam.” I was taken aback, thinking, “Which Madam?”

“After she left for work, we discussed her salary, and I told her to believe it when she got her first paycheck, since it was more than what I earned in a year with my federal job experience. I jokingly asked if she owned part of the oil they were drilling. Six months later, we got married in Port Harcourt, and I would visit her from Akure. When I arrived early, I’d drive to her location and join her for lunch at the staff canteen; , noticing that no one paid for their meals. On our drives back home, we’d pass by gas flaring sites, and I’d marvel at the strange sights.

“One day, my wife handed in her resignation letter, but HR declined, asking if she’d discussed it with her parents. Even I wasn’t aware of her decision. She told HR she wanted to join me in Akure, and I had offered to relocate to Port Harcourt, but she won, and we settled in Akure.

“She became a housewife, started making meat pies, and eventually, my boss, the late Dr. Adetoro, offered her a part-time lecturing position, which later became full-time.

“For her, letting go of anything has never been an issue; even if it’s something being coveted by someone or a group; Looking back with exciting nostalgia, the summary of everything is: fear God and keep His commandments, enjoy life, ignore, tolerate – as someone will say, “Don’t fight, but don’t tolerate nonsense.” How that balance is maintained is self-rule and autonomy.”