My marriage… With Joseph Kolawole Okunato

Joseph Kolawole Okunato, a 70-year-old Christian from Igede-Ekiti in Ekiti State, Nigeria, began his career in 1975 working in the banking industry, briefly in the capital market, and for two years as a Financial Manager at Daar Communications Plc. Retiring in 2011, he has since worked privately as a consultant in various areas, including MSMEs and training.

Okunato has been married for 42 years on July 28, 2026. He met his wife, Tope Peculiar, in Ibadan when he visited her cousin's house; she was a beautiful girl he had never seen before. They planned a weekend excursion to Ikere-Ekiti, where Okunato asked her to be his girlfriend, and they became engaged at Ikogosi Warm Spring. Okunato's first marriage ended due to tribal differences, and his second failed because of conflicting career goals.

He was excited about Tope's future as a teacher and believed their relationship would lead to marriage. Her parents were initially cautious, asking about Okunato's background and future plans but eventually approved, offering guidance based on their conversation. The couple has three boys and a girl, and highlights memorable moments include welcoming their children, traveling to Germany, moving into their own house, and their daughter-in-law giving birth to their first grandchild.