Taiwo Ogunjobi Uncensored: My wife is like my twin sister

There is indeed a truism in the saying that ‘behind every successful man, there is woman,’ following the full disclosure by star football administrator, Chief Taiwo Ogunjobi that his adorable wife, Chief (Mrs) Bukola Ogunjobi has been his pillar of support all these years!

Theirs is a love story that started from the soccer pitch and was consummated in their passion and love for the round leather game. The relationship has blossomed through the years, making Ogunjobi, one of the finest and experienced soccer administrators in the land.

According to Ogunjobi, who rose from captaining famous club side, Shooting Star of Ibadan, to becoming its chairman, his wife is like ‘the skilful and able defender that held the fort, providing the important cover, whenever he is away.’

The heartthrobs also share unquenchable love for football; something Ogunjobi hinted may have bonded them together like Siamese twins.

“This is quite funny (because nobody has bothered to ask before) but l must say that l met my wife on the football pitch,” Ogunjobi, the erstwhile Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) exclusively told The Nation Sport & Style. “My wife, Bukola, was actually with the National Sport Commission (NSC) in Ibadan when l was doing my National Youth Service (NYSC) in Ibadan as well as playing for Shooting Star of Ibadan.

“Whenever we were playing, the NSC staff would come out to watch us. They were like supporters of the team too and l met my wife during one of our matches. She had watched me play several times and in love with football so that made it easy for us to connect well.

“I met her in 1981 and two years later, we were married. L thank God that l married her because we share that passion for football together and up till tomorrow, my wife still feels serious emotion for football at club and national levels. Any club I’m attached to, she is also attached to. She sleeps football, eats football and drinks football and it is the same for our children. We are a football family.”

After 30 years together, Ogunjobi still remembers vividly some of her qualities that melted his heart: “Her humility, respectfulness and loving nature attracted her to me. She is very humble and loves me as much as l loves her. The way l feel about her is the same way she feels about me. And we understand ourselves very much. She is like my twin sister. “Whenever l am away she copes very well. Even when l moved to Abuja as Secretary General of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), she coped well and she was always there like a good defender to cover my back whenever I am away. I’m now back in school at the National Institute for Sport (NIS), where l am reading Sports Management and she is still coping well.”

Blessed with five children, Ogunjobi insisted that education comes ahead of sport in order of priority in their lives.

“My children are okay. They are interested in the game but l have to make sure that they take their education very serious too. Two of them just finished their Masters program in London after obtaining their first degree here. They are Ayodeji and Olaoluwa and Lanre is doing his youth service now. Education matters a lot. In this country, you cannot rely on talent alone, because anything can happen along the way while playing. And that is why some of our ex-internationals are just there doing nothing after their careers.”

Ogunjobi may not have particular interest in what is in wardrobes, but he is freak for expensive and designer wristwatches.

“Wristwatch is my thing,” he revealed. “I am in love with expensive wristwatches. I like designer wristwatches so much and in my collection you can only find the very best designers; Locman, Raymond Weil, Haurex, Hugo Boss, Lancaster, Roberto Cavalli, the very best. In term of wears l leave my wife to take care of it. He knows my taste and takes care of what l wear.”

Humble Beginning

I’m a simple man, humble, respectful because l respects the young and old. I’m a simple man to work with, simple in the sense that hardly would you see me fight with anyone. I am a man of peace. I am also a family man, married to Bukola Ogunjobi and we are blessed with five grown up children. I started the game of football from when l was very young. I grew up in Lagos, Idi Oro, and Mushin to be precise and because football was the in thing, l also played it to the fullest. I attended Holy Trinity Primary School, Ebute Ero and moved to Ilesha where l had my secondary school education at African Church Grammar School and after that l went to Ibadan Grammar School for my Higher School Certificate (HSC). In 1973, shortly after the first ever National Sport Festival in Lagos, Coach Kola Taiwo and late Sam Ojebode invited me to join Shooting Stars of Ibadan. At the national level, l played for the Academicals and later the Green Eagles in 1973 and 1974. In 1995 l travelled out to further my studies at Clemson University in the United States of America before returning to the country in 1980.

Though I developed the passion for football from a tender age but the schools l attended also helped. I got scholarship to attend African Church Ilesha because of my prowess in football, same for Ibadan Grammar School where l was offered scholarship to play for the school. While l was there the school won the Principal Cup, which is the highest football honour for secondary schools in the state then. Even at Clemson University, South Carolina l was given football scholarship, so l would say these schools helped in developing and nurturing my interest in football.

Prime FC

First of all, I thank Almighty God for the victory against Kano Pillars for us to emerge as the bronze winner in this year’s Federation Cup. Kano Pillars, for emphasis are winner of the 2012 Premier League so it is not a mean feat for Prime FC of Oshogbo. For the first time in the history of Osun State, this is the first time the state would be presenting a team that won the bronze medal in the Federation Cup. I also want to thank the Governor of The State of Osun, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for his support. He gave us all we needed and more to do well.

The team would have gained promotion into the Premier League too because we have good players but God knows best. Our players are young and may not be known as such, but they are good and we have been able to boost their confidence, they have come to believe that sky is the limit for them. The technical crew led by Demola Adeshina has done a great job and with hard work and determination, we can follow this up in the coming season so the team can move to the Premier League.

I also want to commend Osogbo Local Government because the team actually belonged to them and the Osun State Football Association, which l am its chairman. The FA is there to give guidance and assistance to all football clubs in the state. We allow the local government to run the affairs of the club the way they want with the support of the state government.

But concerning next season and preparation, just like l told you earlier on, the team is the baby of the Osogbo Local Government and they would decide what to do but on our part; the FA, we can only act in advisory capacity. We don’t have any sole authority on the team but it would also be our pride if they gain promotion next season to the Premier League.

What l have brought into the team is my experience and technical knowhow. The FA supported Prime technically, morally and financially. Financially in the sense that we requested money from the State government and it was approved and given to the FA for the prosecution of the Federation Cup. Technically the football head coach in the FA, Mr Muda was drafted into the team, not to take over but to offer support and morally, we advise the team on dos and don’ts of the tournament. About three of four times, the Osun State’s Referee Association also lectured the players on new rules governing the game and this helped them a lot.

National team then and now

You cannot compare the national team then and now. It is poles apart. There was no money in playing for the country then. We simply have a passion for the game and that is why we play our heart out. But today money is the order of the day. I would count myself lucky because l had good education and that is what has kept me going up till now. Recently the Oyo State Academicals travelled to the U.S and was in my school. When they came back they said they couldn’t believe their eyes seeing my photograph in the University’s Hall of Fame. Segun Odegbami, who organised the trip called me on getting back and said the school still think highly of me.

Shooting Star

When l was in Shooting Star it was ranked the third best team in Africa behind Zamalek and one other team from Cameroon. Shooting Star is one team l love and would continue to love. It is one club that made a lot of stars, including my humble self. I cannot talk about that club without feeling sad. What has happened to it now? Where ever Lekan Salami, Jide Johnson, Thunder Balogun and others that contributed to the greatness of that team are today, they would never be happy that that great club is now relegated to an ordinary club today. Those of us that passed through the club believed that what is happening to Shooting Star is abnormal. I must say that Shooting Star represent the Yoruba race, without sounding any tribal sentiment, while Rangers represent the Igbo race. Raccah Rovers, which transform to Kano Pillars represent Hausa race while Bendel Insurance represent the South South. Where are these teams today? Nowhere! It means something is fundamentally wrong.

So what is wrong?

When it comes to sports, you don’t put sentiment. You allow those that have the technical know how to do it. You don’t put people there because they are your people.....na my brother, omo wa ni e je o se. You put people who know about it there and not people who are incompetent. That is what is happening to these clubs and what is killing our sport. A white man that can do it should be given the opportunity. Football for now is just for social service. The companies that should come and do it well are not doing anything. It is the state that runs it and it is run for social service not for real business purposes.

For example when Super Eagles are not doing well, you see the President of the, minister and Nigerians having nightmare. It is not as if Super Eagles is bringing money to the country but it a pride of the nation.

Back to school

I decided to return to school because l am not happy with the downward trend Nigerian football is experiencing at the moment. I want to update my knowledge and see the possibility of reengineering Nigerian football in the future. And l have to confess that l have learnt a lot of things and updated my knowledge. Our national team coaches should also be encouraged to come here and update their knowledge,” advised Ogunjobi who is fondly called the Ultimate Finisher for the remarkable manner he accomplishes whatever thing he sets his mind to achieve.