Despite the strains that have occasionally characterised Yoruba-Igbo relations in parts of Southern Nigeria, many marriages between the two ethnic groups continue to thrive across different walks of life.
One such union is that of Osun State Governor, Prince Ademola Adeleke, and his Imo-born wife, Ngozi Adeleke, whose journey from the banking sector in the South-West to the Government House in Osun has been marked by adaptation, service and a deep appreciation of her new environment.
The Osun First Lady first came to the South-West as a National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, where she served with the now-defunct Société Générale Bank.
Having completed her education up to the master’s degree level in the East, her posting to Ibadan marked the beginning of a new chapter in her life.
Following her service year, she was retained by the bank and continued her career at its Dugbe branch in Ibadan. She eventually spent almost 23 years in the banking industry before leaving in 2018 to devote more time to supporting her husband’s political career.
For Ngozi, the transition from banking to public life has not been particularly difficult.
“I miss banking, but what would you have me do? I like being up and doing, facing challenges. A lot was demanded of one, which is the situation I find myself in now,” she told journalist.
According to her, her responsibilities as First Lady have brought her into contact with people from different backgrounds and exposed her to opportunities to contribute to society.
“As wife of governor, every time it’s people’s requests, meetings here and there, travelling, which I also like. I like meeting people and new things every day, so this situation ushers in a new opportunity,” she said.
Ngozi said her passion for helping vulnerable members of society has also found expression through her role as First Lady.
“I love helping the downtrodden and being wife of governor has thrown me in the middle of it. Women, widows, people living with disability, so many people to take care of, think of it. It gives me joy and happiness,” she said.
How motherhood inspired her foundation
Her commitment to humanitarian causes, however, predates her husband’s political career.
Ngozi founded the Esther Adeleke Foundation following her personal experience while trying to have a child after marriage. During that period, she began visiting motherless babies’ homes and praying with the children.
She said the experience eventually became a source of inspiration and, in her words, contributed to the fulfilment of her desire for a child.
“Before I touched my salary, I would first credit SOS’s account. From time to time I would gather my friends, go and visit them with materials, foodstuffs and so forth,” she recalled.
She said her relationship with the children continued even after the birth of her daughter.
“When my baby clocked one year, I told His Excellency that my spirit tells me to go and celebrate her birthday with the children there,” she said.
According to Ngozi, some of the friends she invited to join her in supporting the children were people she had met during her own search for a child.
“I had to call all the friends I met in the course of looking for a baby, going from one hospital to another. These children’s faces bring luck. Majority of them that came got their blessing. I recommended them to so many people,” she said.
She added: “When you take up motherless babies, pray along with them, they will pray for you.”
From banking to politics
Ngozi said her experience in banking prepared her adequately for the demands of political life and public service.
“In banking, because then you would sometimes wake up at 4 to dress up and face the road at 6 and sometimes you come back late; but now, yes, there are all kinds of back and forth, travelling, but not too much of what I cannot handle,” she said.
She described her experience as First Lady as largely fulfilling.
“I don’t know for others, but for me, it has been happy moments every day. I open my mind to learning their own way of doing things,” she said.
While she has embraced several aspects of Yoruba culture, there is one culinary tradition she is yet to conquer—amala and ewedu.
“The only thing I have not learned is how to swallow amala. I cannot stand that one they call ewedu, even the one in my place, not to talk of the one made with broom,” she joked.
Pounded yam, however, is a different story.
“As for pounded yam, I love it,” she added.
Ngozi has also developed a fondness for the South-West’s famous owambe culture, embracing the elaborate social gatherings that often stretch across several days.
She joked about the frequency of parties, noting that celebrations can take place on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Proud of the ‘Dancing Governor’
Far from being embarrassed by her husband’s reputation as Nigeria’s “dancing governor,” Ngozi said she embraces it with pride.
“I feel good. My husband did not start dancing today. I got to meet with him when he schooled in the US. They called him Jackson because of his dancing skills,” she revealed.
She recalled how Adeleke’s dancing became a major attraction during their traditional marriage ceremony in her hometown in Imo State.
“When we went to my village for my traditional marriage, my husband danced from morning till the next morning. He brought Shina Peters himself and another musician. It was like a carnival,” she said.
According to her, the celebration was so spectacular that it remains a talking point in her community.
“I don’t think my village people have ever seen that type of wedding up till today. They still talk about it,” she added.
For Ngozi Adeleke, the journey from an Imo upbringing and a long banking career in Ibadan to becoming the First Lady of Osun has been one of cultural adaptation, family, faith and public service—while maintaining a sense of humour about the differences between her Eastern roots and her adopted Yoruba home.
Credit: Vanguard
