Israel Oluyemi Akojede and his wife, Esther Abake, who were married for 72 years, have died on the same day in Gbonagun Obantoko area of Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
According to News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr. Akojede died around 3:00am on Friday, October 30 while his wife died a few hours later having received the news of the passing of her husband.
Mr. Akojede was said to be about 104-year-old at the time of his death, while Esther was 98-year-old.
The first son of the family, aged 70, Joseph Akojede, who confirmed the deaths, said that though the incident remained a mystery to the family, it was expected because of how fond they were of each other until their death.
He said;
Their death is shocking but also expected. What we were thinking is that maybe there would have been a short interval because they both loved themselves dearly.
I have watched them since I was young and I know they are inseparable. They wear the same colour of clothes, have the same beliefs, and always consulted each other for advice.
Joseph stressed;
You can hardly hear them grumbling against each other as mama will say that whatever her husband did was final; she won’t give a second opinion even if she had any.
Such was the love they shared. Papa died very early in the morning and as we were being careful about breaking the news to his wife, she already knew and few minutes later she gave up the ghost.
On his part, Olanrewaju Akojede, the grandson of the family, likened the couple to two characters portrayed in the play, “Romeo and Juliet’,’ written by William Shakespeare.
He stated;
I have watched them play Romeo and Juliet whenever I have the opportunity to be with them. It’s so surprising to me that they even shared the same mobile telephone.
Whenever I call, it’s either mama or papa that answers the call; it depends on who the phone was with when I called.
Olanrewaju added;
They are so great parents who had lived a pleasant and worthy life that is worth emulating. May their souls rest in peace.
May their souls Rest In Peace.
