Obasanjo, Amosun, Osoba, Others Pray For Awolowo-Dosunmu At 70

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, his wife, Bola, Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former Governor Olusegun Osoba and his successor, Gbenga Daniel, as well as other eminent Nigerians yesterday stormed the Ikenne, Ogun State home of Chief Obafemi Awolowo for the 70th birthday of the late sage’s daughter, Dr Olatokunbo Awolowo-Dosumu.

Obasanjo, Osoba, Amosun, Daniel and scores of eminent personalities from across Nigeria converged on the Our Saviour’s Anglican Church in Ikenne to felicitate with Dr Awolowo-Dosunmu, who is the Chairman of African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc, publishers of the Tribune titles.

They prayed for her long life, good health and more fruitful service to the nation and humanity.

It was a double celebration for the former Ambassador to the Netherlands as the 70th birthday and thanksgiving service was also used to confer on her the title of Iya Ewe of Our Saviour’s Anglican Church in Ikenne.

The officiating cleric, the Archbishop of Ecclesiastical Province of Lagos, Dr Olusina Fape, praised God for granting the celebrant the grace to attain 70 years.

In his sermon, titled: This is the Day of Joy, Fape said birthday is a time to show appreciation to God for the gift of life.

The bishop noted that Dr Awolowo-Dosunmu is a blessing to her generation.

He advised her to put absolute faith in God and rededicate her life to the service of the Almighty and humanity.

Fape said: “For our dear sister, this is the day the Lord has made; the day is your birth, the 70th year of the same. That our sister has seen this day is by the grace of God. God has preserved your life as it is unto this day.

“You have reasons to praise God for this day. You have not merely existed for these 70 years, but you have been a blessing to your generation.

“You have no reason to doubt God that He will sustain you in the years ahead. But then, you need to rely more on Him.

“You may still have more challenging days ahead. But if you surrender your life to Him completely and find time to grow deeper in the knowledge of God through His word, you will not fail.

“Our dear sister thinks no evil, sees no evil and talks no evil. All that you need in the years ahead is Christ to stand firm and overcome in the events of vicissitudes of life.

“You don’t need religion or denomination. It is my prayer for you that your tomorrow will be better than your yesterday and today put together.”

Amosun, who was represented by Deputy Governor Yetunde Onanuga, hailed the celebrant for her achievements and service to humanity at 70.

He said: “The celebrant is one of the fruits of the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. We want to thank you for the numerous contributions to mankind. We acknowledge all that you have done and we say it is not by mistake that you are adding another feather to all the feathers you already have.”

Osoba and former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo hailed Awolowo-Dosumu as a brilliant woman.

They wished her more prosperous years ahead.

Dignitaries at the event included the Secretary to the Ogun State Government (SSG), Mr. Taiwo Adeoluwa; Osun State Deputy Governor Titilayo Laoye-Tomori; former Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Chief Emeka Anyaoku; his wife, Bunmi and Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

Others are: former Governors Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo) and Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo; the serving overseer of Latter Rain Assembly, Pastor Tunde Bakare and his wife; the Chief Judge of Ogun State, Justice Olatokunbo Olopade, Chief Idowu Sofola (SAN), Senators Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa, Femi Okurounmu and Kofoworoola Bucknor-Akerele.

Also at the ceremony were the Aare Ona Kakanfo of the Yoruba, Chief Gani Adams, Senator Adegbenga Kaka, former Minister of State for Defence, Mrs Olusola Obada, Lisa of Ondo Kingdom, Sir Solomon Oguntimehin, Mrs Kemi Nelson, the Executive Chairman of Safari Books Limited, Chief Joop Berkhout and Chief Akin Osuntokun.

The former Vice-Chairman of the University of Ibadan (UI), Prof A.B.O. Oyediran Olu Akinkugbe, Banji Akintoye, Iyaloja General of Remo, Mrs. Mercy Owolana, Chief Bola Doherty, former Emeritus Chief Judge of Oyo State, Mrs. Badejoko Adeniji, Maj.-Gen. Seeni Soboiki, old students of St. Anne’s School in Ibadan, the Iya Ijo of Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Mrs Comfort Olutunda, Pa Emmanuel Osibona and Rev. Olusesan Adebajo.