Gospel minister and celebrated singer Pastor Ruth Matete has shared a moving tribute to her late husband, Beloved John Olakami Apewajoye, describing their time together as a lasting source of strength rather than a source of pain.
In a deeply personal Instagram post shared on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the 2012 Tusker Project Fame winner reflected on the nature of healing and the beauty of having been “truly and deeply loved.”
A Love That Inspires Contentment
For Matete, who was widowed just five months after her wedding in 2020, remembering her husband is no longer an obstacle to moving forward.
“I carry these memories with gratitude. They don’t pull me back; they remind me of a love that was real,” she wrote. “Remembering doesn’t mean I haven’t healed—it means I lived.”
The mother of one also touched upon her future, expressing a patient and peaceful outlook on finding love again. While she remains open to a new chapter, she emphasized that the depth of the connection she shared with Apewajoye has left her fulfilled.
“These are the memories I hold close as I patiently wait for love to find me again—if it ever does,” she added. “And if it doesn’t, I will still be content knowing I was truly and deeply loved at one point in my life. Memories are not wounds—they’re proof of love.”
Beyond Prayer: A Literal Support
Accompanying her reflection was a memory of their physical and emotional bond. She fondly recalled how Apewajoye’s support was multifaceted: “Meanwhile, he didn’t just lift me up in prayers, as you can see; he used to literally lift me up.”
Looking Back at a Tragic Farewell
The tribute serves as a stark contrast to the harrowing circumstances of Apewajoye’s death. He passed away in April 2020 following a tragic fire accident at their home.
In previous reflections, Matete has spoken candidly about the two weeks he spent in the hospital, noting a sense that he had accepted his fate early on. She recalled him giving her instructions for his siblings and choosing a name for their then-unborn child—Toluwa—while they were still in the ambulance.
“He told me all he wanted me to do… he gave me the name of the baby regardless of the gender,” she previously shared. “It’s like he waited for death. I felt like he didn’t fight to live.”
Six years after the accident, Matete’s latest message signals a profound shift from the weight of grief to the “gratitude of living,” as she continues to raise their daughter and serve her ministry.
By Ghafla