GRATITUDE FOR MY 70TH BIRTHDAY

When I stumbled al a distribution of invitation cards for my 70th birthday sometimes in December 2008, I began to wonder how came an idea that am worthy of celebration at the age of 70? I quickly suspected some of our youths particularly those of the Afenifere Renewal Group – for initiating the idea. The reality began to dawn on me that I have truly crossed-over to the ranks of the septuagenarians when the celebrations which began as a great intellectual concourse on Wednesday. January 14, in Lagos grow into a huge political education and a stupendous carnival of feasting in lla-Orangun on Friday 16th January, 2009 with an interlude of a cultural night in my country home on the previous evening. I felt totally humbled and shed tears of joy in gratitude to those who sponsored, schemed, organised and financed the celebrations particularly to the former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu and his amiable wife Oluremi, to the Governor of Lagos state Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN); to Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora and the AC members in the Senate; to Hon Hakeem Gbajabiamila and the Action Congress Caucus in the National Assembly: and to Chief Yemi lkuforiji, the Speaker, and all the members of Lagos State House of Assembly.

I felt indebted to the leaders of my political party who spared the time, the cost and the efforts to be present at or to participate in the ceremonies, such as the immediate past Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar; the Governor of Edo State, Comrade Adams Oshiomole; former Govenors C.O. Adebayo, Lawani Kaita, Olusegun Osoba, Niyi Adebayo, Lam Adesina, Boni Haruna, Chris Ngige; Senator and Chief (Mrs.) Ayo Fasanmi; Chief Michael Koleosho; Senator Ben Obi; Chief Tom lkimi; Otunba Oyewole Fasawe; Senator Iyorchia Ayu; Senator Tony Adefuye; Senator Bayo Salami; Alhaj Umar Kareto; Pince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi; Prince Austin Eweka; Dr. Usman Bugaje: Dr. Chudi Nwike; Dr Alex ldeh; Alhaji Musa Gwadabe; Alhaji Kumasi; Godie Ikechi; Dr. (Mrs) Ego Ezuma Chief George Akosile; His Most Eminence, Baba Aladura Olorunfunmi Bashorun and Chief Iyiola Oladokun.

I am indeed grateful to my closest associates and admirers like Engr. Rauf Aregbesola; Dr Kayode Fayemi, Senator Ibikunle Amosun; Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Chief Dipo Dina; Dr Bayo Adewusi; Mrs Laoye-Tomori;  Mrs Funmi Olayinka; Otunba Dele Ajomole and all the Action Congress State Chairmen; all Local Governments Chairmen and the Councillors in the 57 Local Governments in Lagos State; Alhaji  Ibrahim Hassan and his entourage from Gombe; all staff from the AC National Secretariat; all members of the Lagos State Government Executive Council; Secretary to the Government of Edo State, Mr. Pally Eriafe; all the Action Congress Members of the Osun State House of Assembly; all the Action Congress members of Ekiti State House of Assembly; all the Action Congress members of Houses of Assembly in all the states of the federation; Action Congress (Europe); Action Congress – South West Caucus (Nigeria & UK): Action Congress, (USA); all members of our Great Party AC, throughout the Country.

I should also show appreciation to the Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola and his wife Omolola together with the Deputy Governor, Erelu Obada; the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Hon Adejare Bello and the Secretary to the Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade who accompanied the Governor of Osun state to me at Ila-Orangun and to Hon. Justice Bola Babalakin. Also to the Orangun of lla, Oba Wahab Oyedotun and his Chiefs; the Orangun of Oke-lla; Akesin of Ora; all Omo Tiimo of Isedo, Ila Orangun and Obinrin Ile Obalumo; my in-laws the Akintolas, the Iloris, the Okunades, and the ljoses; Chairmen of lla and Ifedayo Local Governments.

I must sincerely thank all my well wishers such as Oba Oladele Olashore, the Ajagungbusi Ekun of Iloko; Sir Dele lge; Prof. Wole Soyinka; Prot. Pat Utomi; Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; Prof. Abiola Odejide: Professor Bimpe Aboyade; Prof. Olu Aina; Dr Amos Akingba; Senator Ninbe Farunkanmi; Engr Jide Adeniji: Oba Otudeko; Chief Kola Daisi; Alhaji Adebayo Adetunji, Chief Layi Awoyode; Chief Bayo Alugbin; Engr. Ife Akintunde; Architect Tunde Ogunniyi; Engr. David Abiola Oni; Chief Duro Oyekanle; Chief Gboyega Awomolo SAN; Chief Niyi Akintola SAN; Mr. Femi Falana; Chief Lere Adebayo; Mrs Adiamoh; Mr. Bisi Alamu Mr. Olopade Fakunle; Dr. Adetunji Dare; Mr. Odia Ofeimun; Engr Dapo Ajibabi; Gbenro & Funso Adegbola; Muyiwa & Oyinda lge: Mr. kunle Ajibade; all former Permanent Secretaries/Accountant General Osun Stale Civil Service that participated; and certain vital institutions like Evans Brothers Nigeria Publishers Ltd; Macmillan Publishers Nigeria Ltd; The Nigerian Media (Newspaper, Radio & Television); the Nigerian Security Agencies including the Osun state Commnand of the Nigeria Police; the State Security Service; the Federal Road Safety Commission and the Civil Defense Corps; King Wasiu Ayinde (Kwam 1) for making the celebrations great. I am also thanking my wife, children grandchildren, and all my relatives and other numerous friends and admirers for their support.

I pray that God Almighty will reward all for your kindness and generosity.

Signed

Chief Bisi akande

Source: The Nation Wednesday, February 11, 2009