Mrs Florence Ajimobi, wife of late Gov. Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, has called on Nigerians to cultivate the habit of showing gratitude and love sharing to one another amidst various challenges facing the nation.
She made the call while hosting leaders of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, on Iftar (Breaking of fast) at her Oluyole residence in Ibadan.
She thanked members of the union for the support and love extended to the family both in and out of office.
“Thank you for showing me love. When you leave office, it is a mixed feeling. Like I tell people, I was really prepared for life outside office.
“But I didn’t get what I prepared for, I got otherwise. I was prepared for a lot of betrayal and hostility, but I didn’t get it. I am saying this with all sense of sincerity.
“Every time I went out, I got recognition. I felt love from people. People are still standing by my side. I thank God for that.
“Whatever mine were, they were faults from the head and not from the heart.I pray God will answer our prayers, particularly in this season of Ramadan, and protect us,” she said.
She enjoined the people not to relent in showing love to each other,
“Life is short. For everyone you appreciate, let them know you appreciate them. For everyone you love, show them and tell them as many times as you can that you love them.
“I just felt this season must not pass without me doing a few things that my husband used to do.
“If there is a group of people that he really admired and wanted around him, it is you journalists because I know he had a lot of tutoring and mentoring to do.
“When I was told you have accepted my invitation, I was happy. As you have honoured me, God will continue to honour you,” she said.
Mrs Ajimobi assured the NUJ leaders to always count on her support, promising she would do anything to immortalise her husband and uphold his legacy.
“Anything to immortalise my husband and uphold his legacy, you can always count on me. Forever, I will celebrate him. Forever, I will uphold his legacy. I think that is why I am still here.
Earlier, Oyo State NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Ademola Babalola, thanked Mrs Ajimobi for the love and honour extended to the union, assuring her of the union’s support always.
Babalola commended the widow for being strong, urging her to continue upholding the legacy of her late husband by immortalising him.
“We want to see a building donated in memory of the great scholar, great politician, astute businessman, a man of no mean standing, a great philosopher and a great orator. We are missing him,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event featured special prayer for the family and presentation of award to Mrs Ajimobi by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists(NAWOJ), Oyo Chapter.