The 35-year-old marriage of an Osun couple reputed for their closeness ended mysteriously as both husband and wife died the same day, leaving their loved ones in shock, Toba Adedeji reports.

For more than three decades, Chief Adeyemi Olukayode Adegoke and his wife, Mojirade, lived as shiny example of an ideal marriage. Theirs was a love life defined by simplicity, faith and deep companionship for more than 35 years.

Their marriage and love life, however, ended mysteriously as the wife slumped and died within an hour after her husband’s death.

The duo had been a source of envy among friends, family members and the entire neighbourhood of Ofatedo area, Odunola farm, Osogbo, Osun State, where they lived.

The Adegokes’ tale of love and devotion also spread beyond their modest home in Osogbo town to the rustic hometown of the husband in Erin-Osun, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun State. Together, they had built a life anchored on mutual respect and shared purpose both in their home and in the public service of Osun State where 65-year-old Adegoke had served diligently as an official of the Osun State Sports Council, while his 59-year-old wife was a committed civil servant at the Ministry of Justice, balancing professional responsibility with devotion to family.

Beyond their careers in public service, the Adegokes were known for their strong bond and quiet affection. They worshipped together, attended church programmes side by side and were regular faces at social gatherings, where their customary laughter and warm interactions conveyed a friendship that went beyond marriage. Friends and neighbours often described them not just as husband and wife, but as companions who genuinely enjoyed each other’s company.

However, their love stories ended on January 7 with husband and wife sharing a final breath. Needless to say that the circumstances of the uncommon couple’s death has continued to stir awe, grief and deep reflection among residents, one of whom described it as “destiny fulfilled”.

In a chat with The Nation correspondent, a relation of Chief Adegoke, Mr Oyetade Olayiwola, explained that the deceased was his uncle who cared so much about the people around him.

Narrating the last moments of the couple, he said: “I had gone to see my uncle on a Wednesday but his wife told me that he travelled, and I told her that I would come back to see them later.

“But on Thursday night, the wife called to inform me that my uncle was dead.

“While we were making arrangements with other relatives, one of us rushed to her place with car only to find that she too had slumped.

“That my brother rushed towards her and tried to revive her but she was not responding.

“He called me on the phone and I directed him to take her to the hospital where she was certified dead.”

Olayiwola described the incident as a grievous loss to the family who had enjoyed the love life of the couple.

He said: “I must confess that we are greatly disturbed and devastated by the death of our beloved uncle and his wife. Both of them died within one hour. We lost the strength to bear the losses.

“I have never heard it in my life. They were not involved in an accident and they did not take a poison. They were only attached to each other emotionally, and it resulted in this.”

Speaking about the illness of Chief Adegoke, Olayiwola confirmed that he was bedridden for close to three weeks as a result of malaria for which his wife had been taking care of him.

Similarly, a childhood friend of the late husband, Mr Olusegun Afolabi could not hold back tears as he was being interviewed by our correspondent. He sobbed as he recalled his memories of Adegoke, especially when he followed him to the family house of Mrs Janet Mojirade Adegoke in Osgbo for the first time.

He said: “Over 30 years ago, I accompanied Adegoke to the house of the family of Janet in Osogbo. She was living with her uncle who was working in First Bank.

“I followed him for self introduction. It was great moment for us. We were so happy on that day.

“After we left their house, we did not see any public transport coming to Erin-Osun, so we trekked from Osogbo to Erin that night.

“That same year, they wedded each other. They were very close thereafter. I never heard that they ever fought.

“Their bond was awesome. They had three kids. They attended social events together.”

Mr Afolabi recalled that they had been friends since 1970s when they attended Oyo State College of Education, Ila-Orangun where he studied Physical and Health Education.

“Adegoke later left the school in 1988 and we furthered our education at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

“After that, he made the decision to marry Mojirade of all the ladies that were around him.

“Since they got married, Mojirade respected all the people around her husband. She was, indeed, a good wife to my friend.”

The distraught friend continued: “My friend worked with Osun State Sport Council before he retired while his wife, who worked at the Ministry of Justice, was set to retire in 2027.

“I never heard of them fighting, because they gave each other respect. Nobody can say they ever fought before.

“They have three children. One of them is not in Nigeria.

“We did the naming ceremony of Adegoke’s first child together.

“We use to make fun of each other. It was, indeed, a terrible loss.

“They loved each other to the point of death.

“They were buried beside each other in the same grave.

“I will forever miss my friend.

“He was the president of UNN Alumni, Osun State Chapter.

“We were planning our get-together when he died.

“He had even paid his dues for the event.”