APPRECIATION
My 60th birthday reception was, ummh! Ma so mo!
My dad would have been very proud, watching the party from his grave.
It wouldn’t have taken much to observe that there were two sets of hosts that day: one set led by my dear wife and the other led by my father, the Olubosin of Ifetedoland, HRM Oba Akinola Oyetade Akinrera, Latiiri I and his pretty Olori, Adetokunbo Akinrera.
As a result of what the two sets did, God have me such a honour the kind of which I had never experienced before in my life. People have openly wondered how people could troop out on a Tuesday to attend an event and stay from morning till night. My answer is still the same: It’s the work of God.
The video recordings and photographs taken at the event have not yet been delivered. I have called so many people to say ‘thank you’ yet, I know that I might still miss out some individuals. This is the reason for this post, to use this medium to thank everyone in making my birthday celebration such a massively glorious one. Your prayers, calls, messages, gifts, attendance and spending are all very much appreciated. May the good Lord support you in all you do.
I thank all members of NBA Ikeja led by the Chairman, Mr. Adeniyi Quadri, including Prince Dele Oloke and Mr. Seyi Olawumi. I appreciate Aare Biola Olagunju, SAN, Mr. Tunji Ogunrinde, SAN, Mr. Seun Ajayi, SAN, Mr. Olusegun Fabunmi, SAN, Mr. Victor Opara, SAN, my mentor, Mr. Tunde Adejuyigbe, SAN, Mr. Kayode Enitan, SAN, High Chief Emeka Ozoani, SAN and my dearest egbon, the best Governor Oyo State is yet to have, Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN for the honour done to me and my wife by your presence and gifts. May God reward you abundantly.
To every member and alumnus of the A. O. Aponmade & Co. family and your families, Mrs. Tola Solanke, Mrs. Meg Duruzor, Eze Onuoha, Happiness Iheukwumere, Seyi Ige, Adefisayo Ajayi, Niyi Olajide, Esq., Olumide Olorungbohunmi, Michael Amaku, I thank you very much.
To my inlaws, the Taiwo, Faloye and Olorungbohunmi families, my soul blesses you all. My fellow landlords in the our estate, I value you a lot.
Madam Chiemeka and Wumi led teams from their offices to honour me. God will honour you all too.
The sons and daughters of the great APONMADE FAMILY, including my only surviving sister, sister in-law, nephews, nieces and grandnieces, were led to the birthday celebration by Chief Daud Bolarinwa Aponmade, the Baale of Aponmade. I thank you all.
My gratitude goes to my PDP family in Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency and fathers, Chiefs Oriyomi Okeyode and Akin Aderibigbe.
The formidable TNCBC family including the TNCBC Men’s Union led by our Chair, Bro. Israel and TNCBC Security and Ushering, and Children’s departments; your turn out made me know that that day belonged to you as well, not just to Wale and I. I am very grateful.
My friends, I want to thank you very much for the immense support you gave me. First, all of my Iroko 82 set led by Dr. Rev. Segun Akintayo (Lagato), Pastors Charles Adedugbe, Olu Ogunleye, Akin Akinboboye, Omololu Olubakinde, Victor Owusu from Ghana, Mr. Akinjisola Ige, Elder Gbenga Oyewusi, Lanre Oyenuga, Ola Bamishaye, Steve Akadiri, Mustapha Ogunsakin, Bukola Durojaiye, Sola Akinyele, Dr. Sola Falaiye, Mrs. Funmi Ogunsanwo, my Principal, Mr. Tunji Odunlami, Patrick Oguike, High Chief Fayemi, the Osi of Ifetedoland, Dare Oyegunle, thanks so much. My colleagues at USGEAAN, Lagos State Chapter, G.O. Lawal, Mrs. Abiola Akinyemi, Mrs. Bolaji Jaji and Mr. Oluwatobi Odo, God bless you. My seniors and juniors at Iroko, classmates at OSUA, Messrs. Oginni, Oke and Olatunde, you were wonderful. E se, mo dupe.
Special thanks to the Chairman of the occasion, Otunba (Dr.) Kayode Akinbola, the Apesin-Ola of Ifetedoland and the Royal Father of the day, HRM Oba Francis Olushola Alao, the Olugbon of Ile-Igbon and the Vice Chairman of the Oyo State Council of Traditional Rulers.
I want to also express my deep gratitude to Elder Johnson Akinniyi, Oloye Bolaji Adeyemi, Chief Olajide Ogunleye, Alhaji Chief Adeola Adeniji, retired DIG, Dr. Tunde Alli and his wife (from the USA) and my daddy, Baba Akeem, Alhaji (Barr) Sina Lateef Amzat.
Very special gratitude goes to the wonderful staff of Lagos State Ministry of Commerce and Cooperative Development and members of the Federal Government Girls College Akure Old Students Association.
The reception was indeed a parade of royalty, thanks to the royal presence of my fathers: (not in any particular order), HRM Oba Kayode Adenekan Afolabi, the Alapomu of Apomu, HRM Oba(Dr) Akeem Olusayo Ogungbangbe, the Owaloko of Iloko Ijesa, HRM Oba Adesegun Bolaji Alowonle, the Elemuren of Emuren, HRM Oba(Dr) Olufolarin Olukayode Ogunsanwo, the Alara of Ilara, Epe Division, Lagos, HRM Oba Suleiman Owolabi Ogun-Oloko, the Olu of Iwaya /Yaba Lagos, HRH Amb(Dr) Olusegun Aderemi, the Atayero of Aramoko Ekiti. Kaaabiyesi o! Mo dupe o. Igba yin a ma le o. Irukere a di okinni. Oju ‘o ni ti yin. Oluwa a je ki e pe fun wa o. Ilu yin o nib a je lailai. I remain your grateful son.
As I saw the array of the royal fathers that day, I could not help but notice the absence of my father, the Olora of Ora Kingdom, Owara State, HRM Oba Adebayo Akolade. That great king, a retired Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration, went to be with his ancestors a few weeks to my birthday. May his gentle soul rest in eternal peace.
I want to specially recognize the roles played by Adenike Olorungbohunmi, Yinka Oyewo, Adesola Bello, Dumebi Ajayi, Oluwabukunmi and Titi Fagbote and others too numerous to mention who worked round the clock to ensure that the celebration was beautiful. May God beautify your respective lives IJN.
To my fathers and mothers in the Lord, Pastor & Mrs. Emmanuel Iyanda, Evan. & Mrs. Francis Olatunde Dada, Bishop Odunayo, Pastor Richard Sogbe and Pastor & Mrs. Dotun Onifade, may your anointing never run dry. I appreciate you very much.
Some 35 years ago, I became a son to the legendary Chief Commander, Evan. Prof. Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi, MFR, KCW long before I.became his lawyer. Baba Obey is one of the wisest beings who have walked on this terrestrial plain. I have been positively impacted by his wisdom. Daddy performed at my 60th birthday for more 5 hours with his great band without a pause. He came just to honour me. Daddy, agba yin a dale. I’m super grateful, sir.
The anchors were wonderful. Ayo Olusesi, Lanre Komolafe, Folakemi Jegede, Omololu Olubakinde and Adejuwon Adedeji, I am very grateful.
To every person whose name I did not mention here, please bear with me. My memory is simply incapable of capturing the names and faces of all those I saw that day. I appreciate you all. I pray that God will decorate the life of each of you who graced the occasion with His shekinah glory in the most powerful name of Jesus.
When Oyedunmade gave birth to Kabiyesi Oba Akinola Oyetade Akinrera in Ifetedo, Mama gave birth to me in Ibadan. That simply is the relationship between my father, Latiiri I, Alayeluwa the Olubosin of Ifetedoland. Olori, Adetokunbo, Kabiyesi and their children love my family and I very deeply. Those at the event saw their affection in action. Words are insufficient to express my very deep gratitude, Baba mi. Olorun a san yin l’esan ire o.
Believe you me; my children, grandchild and wife gave me a great 60rh birthday celebration, the memory of which I will forever cherish. I am grateful to God for gifting me such a wonderful family. Thank you for all you did.
Finally, to Him who showed me great mercy, the great God who has authority over life and death, I say Abba Father, thank you.
Akeem O. Aponmade, Esq.
