Birthdays are special days in the life of each and every individual. From time immemorial people have attached so much importance to it. This is because a person can only be born once. No matter what form its celebration takes; whether big or low key, birthdays don’t ever go uncelebrated or unremembered.
Depending on an individual’s pocket, state of wealth, social or political standing in the society, birthday boys and girls are always in a joyful and celebratory mood on their born days.
No matter the negative condition they might find themselves in on this day – whether they’re poor, on sick bed or in prison – they still see reason/s for which they should thank the Creator. This is because as the saying goes “when there’s life, there’s hope”.
It’s only a dead person that has no hope again. Thus in the light of this reality birthday celebrators are often inclined to forget the past, look forward to the future with the belief that the best is yet to come to them.
For poor people, their birthdays are hardly known to others outside their immediate families since they lack the means to engage in elaborate celebrations. So for them it’s usually “se bi o ti mo” (cut your coat according to your cloth) like the Yoruba do say. Much as many of them might love to celebrate their days in a grandiose way, they lack the financial wherewithal to do so.
For the wealthy ones and wielders of power in the society, however, their birthdays are usually a noisy day; a day to roll out the drums and get the heaven and earth informed. It needs mentioning that even if they are not interested in any elaborate celebration, their friends and associates and beneficiaries of their kind gestures in the past, who have now become big boys and girls in the society do take it upon themselves to foot the bills of big celebrations for the celebrant. They expand it and make enough noise on behalf of the celebrant.
It’s instructive to mention that there are some certain numbers that people who have the means attach so much importance to; such that even if they don’t celebrate other years in a big way, they cannot afford not to celebrate in grand style on certain numbers they consider more important than others in life.
These are age 25 (Silver), age 40 (ruby), age 50 (Golden), age 60 (Diamond), age 70 (platinum). But it’s also worth mentioning that some wealthy and powerful individuals with a simple outlook to life still prefer to engage in mild celebrations on their days irrespective of the pressure on them by their friends and associates. Some also prefer to use the occasion of their days to reach out to the underprivileged in the society.
These sets of people shun wasting money on throwing parties and engaging in frivolous spending in the name of doing birthdays. They prefer to touch lives in more positive and impactful ways through putting smiles on the faces of the vulnerable individuals in their societies. They identify with the downtrodden by showing compassion on them and by this; they engrain their names in the minds of these vulnerable people.
“To state here that he’s a principled man and a man of integrity to the core is a statement of fact that even his arch-detractors cannot dispute; except one who wants to live in denial”
This writer is a staunch admirer of this category of people due to their kindness. For, making other people happy; especially the less privileged in the society is the only thing that’s worth living for. When you make others happy, happiness gravitates towards you too and uses your mind and abode as its habitats. Thus in the words of Dalai Lama (1935); “When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace”.
For this writer, the aforementioned category of wealthy people who use the occasions of their birthdays to embark on humanitarian deeds rather than following the multitude to engage in business as usual deserve not only to be commended but to be emulated.
It’s therefore in the light of this that this writer like to give kudos to the immediate past governor of Osun State and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiaq Adegboyega Oyetola who recently celebrated his 70th birthday in an impactful way by remembering the less privileged in Osun State through provision of free medical treatment and gifting food items to them.
Of course Oyetola’s simple lifestyle and gravitas are the main reasons why he’s highly revered by many.
To state here that he’s a principled man and a man of integrity to the core is a statement of fact that even his arch-detractors cannot dispute; except one who wants to live in denial.
It’s on record that his four years as the governor in Osun State was characterised by untainted integrity and credible performance.
Never would Oyetola compromise his integrity for anything. This singles him out as a leader that’s worth following and emulating.
For Oyetola “the dignity of a man is an ideal that’s worth pursuing and worth dying for” as late Chief Gani Fawehinmi of blessed memory once quipped.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President Bola Tinubu hailed Oyetola, a long-term ally, for his consistent progressive stance and impressive record of achievements, particularly in fiscal discipline and excellence.
Tinubu expressed confidence in Oyetola’s leadership qualities, which earned him the role of pioneer head of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Under Oyetola’s leadership, the ministry has recorded successes, including 92 per cent increase in revenue generation, with N242 Million earned in the first quarter of 2024.
“President Tinubu congratulates Alhaji Oyetola, former Osun State governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, on his 70th birthday.
“President Tinubu applauds his long-term ally for being a consistent progressive with a proven record of accomplishment, including commitment to fiscal discipline and excellence.
“He recalls that during Oyetola’s tenure as governor of Osun State, he recorded significant achievements in education, health care and infrastructure development.
“President Tinubu also recognises the Oyetola administration’s contributions to impressive growth in the state’s internally generated revenue, prioritisation of workers’ and pensioners’ welfare, and efforts to develop the mining sector to attract investors.
“The President expresses confidence in the former governor’s leadership qualities, which earned him the opportunity to serve as the pioneer head of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“He said Oyetola’s passion for development will continue to drive his contributions to the nation, filling the future with promise and hope.
“President Tinubu prays for continued strength and wisdom for the celebrator and wishes him many more years filled with opportunities for further growth and development,” the statement said.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also congratulated the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy on his 70th birthday.
Sanwo-Olu described Oyetola, the immediate past governor of Osun State, as “a seasoned technocrat, visionary, passionate, and selfless leader.”
In a congratulatory message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu praised Oyetola’s commitment and competence, noting, “He has proved his worth as a good manager of human and material resources.”
The governor further lauded Oyetola’s leadership across various roles, saying, “Oyetola has displayed pragmatic and exemplary leadership as both Chief of Staff and Governor of Osun State and now as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.”
He added, “On behalf of my adorable wife, Ibijoke, family, and the good people and government of Lagos State, I join family, friends, and political associates to congratulate the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, on his 70th birthday.
“Governor Oyetola is a seasoned technocrat, visionary leader, and gentleman who has used his wealth of experience in the private sector as a financial expert and technocrat to manage Osun State during his tenure as Chief of Staff and Governor of the State.
“He performed brilliantly in office, and his managerial skill and developmental strides were noticeable in different areas of endeavour in Osun State, particularly in the management of the lean resources of the state.
“He is also providing quality leadership as the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, contributing positively to the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s government.”
As this cerebral, compassionate and unassuming leader and brother climbs the septuagenarian ladder, it’s the pleasure of this writer to identify with him on his platinum birthday as l wish him more productive, impactful and peaceful years on the shore of earth.
May Almighty Allah spare your life and with good health and more upliftment so as to be able to serve humanity better than ever – Aameen.
.Odepeju, newspaper columnist and political activist, writes from Lagos.
