By Lekan Adejuwon
The unprecedented crowd of well wishers and vehicular traffic witnessed in Ikogosi yesterday would remain a reference point for a long time to come in the annals of history of the town.
Originally designed to be a low- key quiet family affair due to no publicity, the motive was however entirely defeated by the huge turnout of people from all walks of life to honour the father of Ekiti State Governor, pa Ezekiel Olukunle
on his 90th birthday
Indeed the ancient town with natural warm springs was completely locked down from one end to the other in honour of the ‘birthday boy’ who joined the exclusive class of nonagerians yesterday.
The First Baptist Church Ikogosi venue of the canival like birthday bash was filled to capacity during the service presided over by Reverend Michael Otun from Pa Oyebanji’s church Gateway Baptist Church Basiri Ado Ekiti.
The clergy in his sermon titled- “Teach us to count our days” corrected the impression in some quarters that birthday celebration as a signal of imminent death rather as an opportunity to think more about life beyond.
He eulogized Pa Oyebanji for his discipline, humility, honesty and prudency describing the celebrant as a courageous man who faced the vissitudes of life with valour and triumphed in spite of the initial frictions and setback associated with his poor background.
“Baba is not a proud person, in fact he is humble to a fault. Whoever that is diligent is his friend. He has a good and rich history. He believes in intellectual building. He began his life from a humble beginning and rose to the pinnacle of his career. He is today the father of Ekiti State Governor”
Governor Oyebanji in a brief address, described his father as a man who places great value on honesty, integrity, humility, hardwork and self -discipline, virtues which, according to him, have helped in shaping his own personality.
Speaking further, Oyebanji said his traits of simplicity and humility can be traced to his father whom he said contributed immensely to his spiritual growth, which had buoyed his faith in God, as the only one with the capacity to provide solution to all life’s challenges.
Giving reasons for the decision of the family to have a low key celebration devoid of any formal invitation to anyone, Governor Oyebanji said it was in line with the family’s modest manner of doing things, coupled with the fact he, as the Governor of the state, has to live by example.
His words: “I would have loved to make the birthday elaborate, but I have to make it a low key for the fact that Ekiti people are currently my employer, so I have to behave responsibly. I have to be cautious and circumspect in whatever I do.
” If I wasn’t a governor, I would have celebrated him more than this. We deliberately did not send out invitation card to anyone so that Baba can have a modest celebration with his friends and family members. But somehow people heard and turned up to honour our father”.
On his father’s cherished virtues, the Governor said: “Those who are saying I am humble should blame my father for it. He is the one who thought me to be humble. I have no apologies about that. If I have misbehaved as a Governor, my father would have called to caution me. He is such a disciplinarian and would waste no time in correcting me even as a sitting Governor”.
On the political front, Oyeabanji said he has no enemy to fight and that those postulating that he and Senator Bamidele would soon clash would be disappointed.
Said he; “The two of us are first and foremost friends and brothers, we believe in God as the sole determinant of the future and we are also highly experienced politicians who have committed our political future in the hands of God. So, stop speculating about any war between us.
“God is the Alpha and Omega of human beings, He does things at his own will. God is the decider of our fate. I want to tell you clearly that nothing can separate me from Senator Bamidele. We have built a strong relationship over the years, so politics can’t separate us”.
Pa Oyebanji in a response, said his strong belief in scholarship as a weapon to overcome poverty, propelled him to acquire western education through hardwork and resoluteness.
He appreciated God for being alive to celebrate his 90th birthday and still standing tall in good health to contribute to the growth of education in his community, state and the country at large.
“When I finished my Primary six, my father loved all his children, but he didn’t have money to send us to school. I was farming with him, but I loved education and I was determined to acquire it at all costs, which I later did.
“What I know is that whoever that is not focused and hardworking can’t succeed in life. It was these principles that led me to study for my GCE as a private candidate. It was this that gave me admission into the university. Our youths must know that those who made it to the top struggled in life to get there. So, they must work hard to rise and succeed”.
The nonagenarian father of the Governor also charged parents to invest hugely in their children’s education to make their future brighter, more rewarding and glowingly remarkable.
“That was what I did that paid off today. I took the upkeep of my children with passion. I didn’t joke with it. Our parents should also imbibe same because whatever you sow, you shall reap”.’ Pa Oyebanji said.
Senator Bamidele while responding said the good deeds Pa Oyebanji inculcated in his children reflect in Governor Oyebanji’s remarkable performance as Governor of thr state, a development he said had raised his political rating and would make him spend eight years as a governor.
“As God liveth, Baba will still live longer to reap the fruits of his labour. I appreciate the Governor for standing by me to be Senate Leader. His support was strong and solid. He did this because he had imbibed the culture of Omoluabi and love for Ekiti from his father.
“I will make sure that I join Governor Oyebanji to improve the wellbeing of Ekiti in terms of road construction and facilitating federal projects to Ekiti. This is what we owe Ekiti and we shall achieve it”.
Present at the church service were the the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Cyril Fasuyi, the Deputy Governor, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye, Speaker, Ekiti State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye, House of Representatives members, Hons. Biodun Omoleye, Hon Sola Fatoba, and Akinlayo Kolawole, former Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, High Chief Olajide Awe.
Others included, the Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Dr. Habibat Adubiaro, SA to the Governor on Community Communications Hon Mary oso- Omotosho, the Chaplain of Government House, Pastor Segun Awolumate, Vice Chancellor, Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Prof Victor Adeoluwa, CMD Federal Teaching Hospital Ido Ekiti Prof Ebenezer Ajayi Local Government Chairmen, Commissioner designates, traditional rulers, top government functionaries amongst others too numerous to list.
