The man identified as Mr Segun Adepegba who abandoned his three children for eight years at Solid Rock Model College in Abule-Iroko, a boarding school in Ado-Odo Ota Local Government Area of Ogun State opened up on reasons why he decided to take such an drastic action on Wednesday, October 22, 2014.
While speaking exclusively with Punch, Adepegba said hardship pushed him to the wall and that was why he could not take care of his children, although he promised to visit them before the end of the week.
He said, “Life has been very tough for me, adding that he neither has a job to cater for the kids nor a house where the children can put up.
During a pitiable narration, Adepegba said, “In 2007, my wife and I had a misunderstanding and she told me she was leaving me. I was frustrated and the children were little. Seyi, the youngest was just two years while Titilola was just five.
“There was no way I could give them motherly care. I had no job. As a man, I needed someone to help me take care of them and that was why my sister suggested that we enrol them in a boarding school.”
He disclosed he kept further distance from the school due to fear of being arrested by the proprietor because of the huge debts he is owing the school.
In his words, “I feared that if I suddenly appeared at the school, the proprietor would get the police to arrest me. I really appreciate the proprietor of Solid Rock Model College, for coming to my rescue and accepting the responsibility to help me take care of my children. The truth is this: I was pushed to the wall. I didn’t want my children to be beggars on the street.
“All these years, I have been jobless. I had no house to live in. I was putting up with someone. I just rented a one-room apartment and just got a job. I am not a wicked father. I really miss them but I am gradually overcoming the challenges I have been facing. I did not abandon them in that sense. I can assure you that before the week runs out, I will visit them.”
Furthermore, speaking about his separation from his wife, he said, “The last time we saw each other was probably in 2007 when she left me. I have been trying to reach her but my search has not been fruitful. I heard that she is somewhere in the northern part of the country.”
Reacting to Adepegba’s fear of being arrested, the proprietor said, “I have nothing against Mr Adepegba and I understand his plight. My grievance was that he kept on rejecting my calls and abandoned his children. How could he as a father leave his children for this long? It is not a good thing.”
Meanwhile, he added that he couldn’t bear the burden any longer hence his involvement of the Ogun State Police Command into it.
However, on the part of the children, it was learnt that new life has come into them as they are filled with high anticipation to welcome their father back into their lives before the week runs out.
On Wednesday, October 22, 2014, the oldest among the three siblings, Seun said, “I am very happy that daddy has promised to come back. It means I would not have to spend my holidays in the school again.”
Also speaking about the latest development was Titilola who had previously escaped from the school in search of their father.
She said, “I hope this is not another promise that will fail. I am really looking forward to seeing him because it will make me very happy.”
