My marriage… With Alhaji Suleiman Adegbenro

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Could you tell us about yourself?

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My name is Alhaji Sulaiman Adegbenro. I was born in Agege, Lagos State, on August 13, 1962. My father was a famous Islamic cleric, Alhaji Abdul Adegbenro, who was the Seriki Musulumi of Agege Central Mosque during his lifetime.

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My mother was Alhaja Mulikat Adegbenro, who was also the Iya Sunah of Agege Central Mosque.

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I attended Ahmed Memorial Primary School, Okekoto, Agege. I proceeded to Ahmadiyya College, now Anwarul Islam Model College, Oniwaya, Agege, for my secondary school education.

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I gained admission into the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where I bagged my first and second degrees in Music.

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I made my first appearance on Lagos Television in 1981 as a teenager and leader of a music group of the Muslim Students Society. The lure of broadcasting made me return to the screen after my youth service with the 1st Mechanised Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna.

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I created a programme titled Music Workshop for NTA Channel 10, Victoria Island, Lagos.

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I later took up an appointment as a lecturer in the Department of Music at Osun State College of Education, Ilesa, before returning to Lagos to start the popular television programme titled Consoligbadun with MITV, Alausa, Ikeja.

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I have remained in broadcasting ever since, creating multiple radio and television programmes, with multiple awards to my credit. My current media partners are Faaji FM 106.5, Lagos, and 101.7 YES FM, Ibadan, where my programmes are aired weekly.

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How long have you been married?

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I got married on April 8, 1995.

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How did you meet your wife?

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We met during my time at the College of Education in Ilesa.

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Was there any challenge you encountered when you met?

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There was no impediment that could have made it difficult for us. She came into my life at the right time.

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How and where did you propose to her?

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I proposed to her here in Lagos because we both lived in Lagos, though we met in Ilesa. She was quite happy when I asked her to marry me.

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What was her parents’ reaction?

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They were quite pleased with me. Indeed, the whole family accepted me with warmth.

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How many children do you have?

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We have two females and one male. But in today’s context, I have more than that number of children, courtesy of the female ones who are now married, so their husbands are my children too.

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What would you consider the most memorable times you have shared together in marriage?

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To God be the glory, we have both had many memorable moments of joy and happiness. However, I believe the best is yet to come. We thank God for the ones we have had so far, while we look forward to more memorable moments in the near future.

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What has kept your marriage going?

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Patience is key, and mutual respect is quite essential. There might be moments of friction, but issues can easily be resolved when partners give each other the benefit of the doubt by first being patient and listening to the other party before taking decisions that can damage the cordial relationship. Trusting each other will also reduce the tension that comes with suspicion.

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How do you feel about the growing marriage breakups in the country?

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It’s really heartbreaking to see marriages collapse. I think financial pressure may be responsible for half of the dissolved marriages. So, what does that tell us? Couples should try to ensure they have a sustainable means of livelihood before delving into marriage. Beyond finance, couples should also resolve their issues within themselves.

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Trust each other and don’t allow hearsay to ruin your home. If a partner needs therapy to turn a new leaf, support your partner to get the right treatment rather than expose them to ridicule.

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