Veteran Journalist, Dr. Yemi Farohunbi’s Wife, Omolara's Exclusive Interview. ‘’I Met My Husband In The Church As Choir Mistress’’..

Mrs. Omolara Lanlehin Farohunbi is the lovely wife of veteran journalist cum politician and the immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Philippines, Dr. (Chief) Yemi Farohunbi. She is very reserved as you hardly heard of her or see her at anyhow functions in Ibadan, despite being married to a celebrity. She attends strictly official and family functions. She is a virtuous woman with large heart and has special interest in children; she loves having them around and making them happy. Which according to her, was the major reason she established her children fun city called Marikina Children’s Fun Centre (it is a day-care and event Centre for children), Along General Gas Road, Akobo, Ibadan. She is from the popular Lanlehin family in Ibadan. Former Senator who represented Oyo South in the country’s Upper Chamber, Barr. Femi Lanlehin is her uncle. In this interview, Omolara speaks exclusively on her experience in Philippine where her husband served as an ambassador. How her husband fell in love with her sonorous voice as a choir in a Celestial and their marriage of over twenty years. She also speaks about private lifestyle and many other interesting issues. Read on.

You were in Philippine with your husband where he served as Nigerian Ambassador to the country, what was the experience like?. 

Well, it wasn’t a bad experience at all; meeting people from different countries. I enjoyed my stay over there serving our dear nation, representing the country well. ‘’Though it was a bit challenging for me in the first instance, because I happened to be the youngest of all the ambassadors’ wives in Philippine then’’. And you know finding yourself among these old women will be like where do I start? What do I say? But with the help of my husband, who is more experienced than I do, he gave me that confident and the whole turned out to be a wonderful experience that I would never forget. Thanks to my husband, my teacher. ‘’In fact, at a point they elected me as president of all the ambassadors’ wives in Philippine’’. That was a very big one. ‘’I must tell you that no African woman has attained that position before me and up till date am still the only one. I haven’t heard they have had another one and that is a credit to my country, Nigeria’’.

What are the things you learnt over there?.

I was able to learn other people’s culture; the way of life, their customs and tradition. The experience opened my eyes to so many things. How I can improve on myself? how I can benefit my country? in terms of NGO to support whatever plans the government have in place as per community and human capacity building and how to impact knowledge into the younger ones, reach out to the needy. I’m more enlightened about all these.

 So it was a wonderful experience. The experience has also prompted me into having an NGO when I came back to Nigeria but because of some certain things I have not been able to that. But still working on it and that has not stopped me from doing things for less privilege. I’ve been reaching out in my own little way.

How does it make you feel being married to a man of many paths like Dr. Yemi Farohunbi; he is a journalist, an activist, politician etc. Does it get at you at times when you read negatives things about him in the newspapers?.

In fact, I must say that I’m proud of him. He is many things rolled into one. I respect his brain. Yes, when you are married to a kind of man that my husband is, a lot of things will be said about him whether good or bad. But once you know the person you are relating with it doesn’t bother you. Like there was a time there was this problem in Osun State and they wrote all kinds of stories about him, that he carried cutlass and all that. I know my husband he would never do that so I’m not really bothered.

Though as a human being and as a woman at times you feel why these people are writing these? But then it is part of the hazards that comes with what he does.

So how has marital life been, being married to an elderly man?.

Well, we give God the glory. There are challenges but I thank God because I have been in marriage for over twenty years now. Though I’m still very young maybe I started early. For the aspect of being married to an elderly man, I don’t see a big deal in that so far one is happy in it. Peace, happiness and mutual understanding and respect are the keys.

How have you been able to manage the home front and the same time manage your business without conflict of interest between the two over the years?.

Well, it has not been easy tasks I must say. Especially with this kind of believe in our society that women belong in the kitchen and all that. So, for one to be successful as a married woman, as a mother and as a career woman you must think out of this believe. And matching all a house wife’s tasks together with your career you see that it can never be easy as such. But with God on one’s side like my own case, you would definitely scale through whatever challenges that are likely to come up.

What it is that has been keeping your marriage going despite the challenges?.

I would say the grace of God, coupled with the fact that I have a very understanding husband, a supporting husband. He has been my pillar all the while I must say. And also the fact that I know my role, I know my duty as a wife, as a mother and as a business woman. So I try as much as possible to differentiate between all these and I play the roles accordingly.

Apart from being a good husband, what is it about Dr. Yemi Farohunbi that people don’t know?.

Yemi Farohunbi is a household name, virtually all about him is known to the public. But many people might not be aware of the fact that he is highly religious. He is a good preacher too. He is a God fearing man. He is a loving father and good husband. He plays his role diligently.

How did you meet your husband?.

I met him in the church. That was in 1992 or so.

How did it happen?.          

I’m a member of the choir of a Celestial Church of Christ in Ibadan here. In fact, I am a choir mistress. My husband happens to love music a lot and I think that was where he picked interest in me. ‘’He said oh! Who is this lady with an angelic voice? We started from there and the rest has now become history’’.

When he first approached you what was going through your mind? Were you like who is going to date this old man or what?. 

Oh my God! I can't begin to go into that (laughs). It was thug of war. It wasn’t easy to convince me, considering the age gap between us and all that.

So what really happened?.

I think it was just God’s intervention. Because it just got to a stage something just came to my mind and I felt like oh! What else do I need in a man that he doesn’t have?.

What did you find interesting about him after you have agreed to date him?.

He is a bunch of many interesting things. So it was very easy for me to pick several qualities in him. He has virtually all the necessary qualities that a woman might be looking for in a man. There was really nothing lacking and that is the same way it is up till now and coupled with fact that he is highly intelligent. I see him as a role model, a mentor. He advises me a lot. So, all that I have mentioned did the magic.

When he finally decided to take you as his wife what was reaction of your parents?

It was no, no thing. But later, you know if something is from God you don’t have to put in extra effort, it would just come naturally. After sometime my parents just flowed with it and accepted for us to marry. In fact, it got to a point in time that they were now the ones advising me that the whole is God’s will.

What were you doing before you met your husband?.

‘’I was a student. I was in my first year at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU), when I met my husband’’.  

What course ma?.

I actually put in for Pharmacy but I ran away after my second year.

Why?.

I ran away because of the pressure and all that. And you know I love music and course wasn’t given me time to other things. But I studied law at the end of the day and I came out with good grades at the Lead City University, Ibadan.

What do you do presently?.

I’m into business. I do buying and selling. I run a fun place for children. Because I love children, I love seeing them happy. Apart from the fact that you make little gains from the business the main reason why I put that place up is just ensure that kids are happy.

You have all it takes as a celebrity’s wife; you are beautiful, glamorous and colourful but yet you keep a low profile status. You go to strictly official or family events. Is that a strategy or what explain that?.    

That may be because I’m a private person. And the fact that am not into friends and all that. I mind my own business and get on well with life.

What is the secret of your beauty and is there any special treatment for your skin?.

Yea, I would say the secret of my beauty is the grace from God. I thank Him for the peace of mind and all that. This is even responsible for my glowing skin because it is natural. I don’t have special treatment. In fact, at times I use Goya Oil, no hard cream on my skin.