I wrote about how Barrister Angela Folarin disarmed me prior to 2015 elections but what I didn’t mention was her dexterity and persuasive power with words; I think she was created to be wife of a politician. One thing was sacrosanct; she loved her husband and wanted whatever he desired.
When I received a message from a Facebook antagonist requesting for my phone number that afternoon behind my desk at Omi Tuntun in October 2014. I was apprehensive and didn’t reply immediately but the person asked if I don’t want to release the number. So I sent my number to this person with strange Facebook account. She promised to call me as soon as no one is with her and I didn’t reply again. Like 20min after, I received a call from a number not in my contact and the first thing she said after greetings was; I hope I am not on speaker and you won’t record our conversation”. Rather than answer, I just asked why I would go through such trouble when I didn’t know the caller. When she introduced herself, I jumped to my feet because those days, it was understandable for anyone in TKF Team to hate me but here was Angela being pleasant with me as if we were former classmates just reconnecting.
Angela didn’t mince words about how much I hurt her with what I wrote about her husband in February 2014 on my analysis of the Oyo governorship contenders. She said I made her cry and that broke my heart and I was begging her for the next three to five minutes. I don’t write to get people’s attention, I do it to state my opinion, not minding whose horse is gored but this time, it hunted me badly; how could I have made a woman this pretty and pleasant cry for any reason? She forgave me immediately after telling me how she has tried frantically to report me to my Principal but she eventually reported to few of my leaders.
Angela then went ahead to convince me all I wrote about her husband were wrong and she started bringing out the points one after the other with determination to convince me beyond reasonable doubts that I had wrong impression of Oloye (that was what she called him). I agreed to her that I was wrong, even though I was not convinced but I couldn’t afford to hurt her again. I promised never to attack her husband again and I never did until one Oyo guy put me in the defensive in the line of my duty in 2020.
Ever since 2014, we have become brother and sister; she believed so much in my Public Relations abilities and we would discuss national and state issues at length. She never pretended about anything and she was both very persuasive and persistent. She really made me see another side of Oloye Teslim Folarin and I felt what a blessed politician he is to have such a woman as wife. In one of our discussions after we lost the election in 2015, I promised to visit her when I come to Abuja, she was very excited and a few weeks later when I was in Abuja in February 2016, I called her that I am in town and she just asked where exactly am I in Wuse 2. Like 20min later, she was in the Range Rover in front of me, telling me to jump in and let’s go, that Oloye is expecting me.
I disappointed her when she couldn’t convince me to join her husband’s camp but we remained brother and sister; I never really felt I deserved such nice gesture from her anyway. Even after we won the governorship in 2019, she still tried to convince me and was emphatic that my people can never compensate me but it’s okay if I am happy where I am. Even my wife knew her calls were always lengthy, hearty and tasking; you will just have to explain to your spouse or parents who you just spoke with for that long.
We have not spoken for a while and we only met just once (Abuja) but the news of her death shocked me to my bone marrow. I put a call across to YSO (my dear colleague and good brother, Senator Folarin’s Media Aide) to confirm the news, hoping to here it was a lie but sadly it was confirmed. As expected, I started recalling all our conversations and chats; I remembered how she called me from UK to narrate how she rushed out of Nigeria when it was rumored that hoodlums killed her and other prominent people in Ibadan immediately after the 2019 Senatorial elections. We joked and laughed about the nasty experience.
I have never seen a Nigerian woman so adventurous, so bold and persuasive; she believed she can convince any human being to support her husband and once you know her, you will conclude her husband’s vision is her aspiration in life. Her time with her boys were fun-filled and memorable, judging from her private social media account I am privy to.
“Angel” Folarin is what I called her because somehow, that was what I read as her name before I later saw it is Angela. Well, Angel Folarin didn’t live long but she enjoyed her life so much and tried to make people around her happy. She’s always dancing, singing and chasing adventures all over the world with her family; that was someone who never allowed public life rob her of her privacy and enjoyments.
Looking back now, it is natural to start thinking maybe she knew she had a short time on earth and that was why she touched everywhere quickly. Wao! I really feel for “Oloye” and the Boys; such personalities are very rare and would be greatly missed. I kept telling myself if I could feel like this about her sudden death, how would Senator Folarin and the family members be feeling now?
Chief Barrister Angela Simbiatu Awaka-Folarin, you came, you explored and conquered but sincerely your sudden departure is a big wound to your loved ones that only God can heal.
Adieu to a beautiful soul, wonderful friend, great mother and quintessential wife of a political leader. This time, you have gone to a camp you can’t convince anyone to join you now. I pray God grants Oloye Teslim Kolawole Folarin, the Sons and other members of the families the fortitude to bear this great loss.
GOOD NIGHT ANGEL FOLARIN
