My Life and That of My 3 Kids Are Under Constant Threat Over My Ex-Husband's Sexual Orientation - Blessing Oladipo

My Life and That of My 3 Kids Are Under Constant Threat Over My Ex-Husband's Sexual Orientation - Blessing Oladipo

The Octagon Assistant Editor, Irene Willoughby, engaged Blessing Oladipo in an exclusive interview about her experiences with her ex-husband.

QUESTION: Kindly introduce yourself, madam.

ANSWER:
My name is Blessing Oladipo.

QUESTION: Tell us more about yourself, Mrs. Blessing Oladipo.

ANSWER:
I'm a mother of three who resides at No. 8 Dambatta Way, Kano, with my three children, Deborah Oladipo, Femi Oladipo, and Favour Oladipo. I'm a trader.

QUESTION: Can you walk us through what happened when you found out about your husband's infidelity and his relationship with another man going public?

ANSWER:
On June 22, 2023, I walked in on my ex-husband, Michael Oladipo, on the couch in our apartment with another man, having anal sex. I screamed out loud in shock, and my neighbors rushed in to find my ex-husband and the man, whom I had always perceived as his business partner, both naked.

QUESTION: How did you initially react when you first saw them?

ANSWER:
It was a shock, confusion, and many emotions all at once. It was a devastating experience for me, as it was the first time I had witnessed something like that. Although I knew it existed, I had never seen it up close or had anyone close to me directly involved, not to mention my own husband, the father of my three precious children. So, I repeat, I was devastated at the sight of that scenario.

QUESTION: How has this situation impacted you and your children emotionally?

ANSWER:
It hasn't been easy for me and my kids. We've had to live in shame and constant despair, with endless threats since June 2023. Ever since that time, my three children and I have lived under constant fear, receiving strange calls with death threats. The police have done nothing to stop or end these threats. I made a police report on June 30, 2023, when the threats started, and up until now, the police keep saying they're investigating, but nothing has been done. The threats keep getting worse.

QUESTION: What made you decide to speak out about what happened publicly?

ANSWER:
The reason I came out today to tell Nigerians my story is that a few days back, after more than a year, my ex-husband (Michael) went missing. I was able to establish contact with him recently via email, with the assistance of my younger brother, Tobi. Michael made it clear to me that he is no longer resident in Nigeria and has no intention of returning. All I want is for me and my three children to be left alone, free from the endless humiliation and ceaseless threats, considering the fact that the person directly involved, my ex-husband, Michael, is no longer in the country. My children and I shouldn't be made to suffer for his actions.

QUESTION: Have you been in contact with your husband since he left?

ANSWER:
Like I said earlier, I was able to establish contact with him via email after over 17 months since my ex-husband, Michael, went missing.

QUESTION: How are you coping with the shame and stigma that may be associated with this situation?

ANSWER:
It's not been an easy journey, considering how Nigerians react to something like this, based on our cultural and religious beliefs. The shame, the endless threats, and constantly living in fear... My children and I have had to change a lot of things about us. Our social circle became very small, we lost friends, and even a few relatives we had in the city stopped coming around to check on us.

QUESTION: Are you considering taking any legal action against your husband or the other man involved?

ANSWER:
I don't have any issue with the other man involved. He was handed over to the police after they beat him up on that unfortunate day. As for Michael, our marriage ended that same day, although I haven't been able to get the divorce officially because my ex-husband has been on the run since the day of the event. All efforts to contact him proved abortive until a few weeks back when I was able to reach out to him via email.

QUESTION: How have your friends and family reacted to the news?

ANSWER:
They didn't take it well. Some never called since then, some avoided us, and virtually everyone stopped coming to see us in the house. I guess they were afraid of being attacked. I was even accused of knowing about it and covering it up. I've tried to explain multiple times