Aiyedatiwa urges Nigerians to celebrate loved ones while alive

Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has urged Nigerians to celebrate their loved ones while they are still alive, saying doing so allows them to witness the appreciation and affection of family, friends and associates.

Aiyedatiwa made the call on Saturday at the 80th birthday thanksgiving service of Special Apostle Titus Ogunseye held in Ikeja, Lagos.

The governor, who chaired the event, said many people organise elaborate tributes only after their loved ones have died, depriving them of the opportunity to experience the love shown in their honour.

“Most of the time, when we lose our parents, we organise elaborate celebrations after they have gone, and they do not have the opportunity to witness the love being shown to them. Today is different because Baba is alive to see everyone who has come to celebrate him,” he said.

Describing the celebrant’s attainment of 80 years as a special blessing, Aiyedatiwa thanked God for preserving Ogunseye’s life in good health and strength.

The governor said he initially questioned whether he was the right person to chair the event because, at 61, he regarded the octogenarian as old enough to be his father.

He disclosed that he had travelled from Lagos earlier in the day to attend the burial of the father of one of his aides before returning for the birthday celebration, describing both engagements as important.

Reflecting on the significance of the occasion, Aiyedatiwa said reaching the age of 80 was a reminder of the biblical injunction to number one’s days and acknowledge God’s faithfulness.

According to him, the wisdom that comes with age remains the true glory of the elderly.

“The wisdom acquired through age is the true glory of old age, and Baba’s 80 years reflect uncommon wisdom,” he said.

He commended Ogunseye for what he described as a lifetime of resilience, compassion, prayer and service, saying the cleric had positively influenced many people through his work as a husband, father and apostle.

The governor described the celebrant as “a wise master builder” who had devoted his life to building people through prayer, sound teaching and exemplary leadership.

He congratulated Ogunseye on the milestone and prayed for continued good health, strength and many more years of service.

Also at the event, Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudashiru Obasa, congratulated the cleric on his 80th birthday.

Related News Robbers kill Ondo technician defending family

Killings: FG warns S’Africa, threatens tough action

FG secures $11.4bn World Bank loans in three years

In a message shared after the ceremony, Obasa said he joined family members, friends, associates and well-wishers in celebrating the octogenarian.

“I pray that Almighty God grants him continued good health, divine strength, peace, and many more years of fruitful service to humanity,” the Speaker said.

In his vote of thanks, the celebrant’s son, Apostle Damilola Ogunseye, attributed the success of the celebration to God, saying the gathering was the fulfilment of a divine instruction rather than a family initiative.

“My vote of thanks has to start with God Almighty because without God we cannot achieve this,” he said.

“Just as our teaching priest, our shepherd, has said, Baba would not have called for this kind of occasion, but it was God’s instruction.

“When he was 60, God said we must celebrate him so that we can know that it pays to know God, it pays to serve God, and it pays to love God.

“The scripture says in 2 Corinthians 2:14, ‘Now thanks be unto God, who always leads us to triumph in Christ.’ That is why I have to give honour to that same God.”

Damilola Ogunseye also expressed appreciation to the ministers who officiated at the thanksgiving service and members of the Seraph Voices choir, whom he said honoured a personal request by the celebrant.

“I want to appreciate all the officiating ministers. I will not forget to honour my constituency, the Seraph Voices. We have a lot of things to do, but they created time to honour God through our father,” he said.

He disclosed that it was his father’s specific wish that the Surulere choir minister at the thanksgiving service.

“It was Baba’s request that Surulere’s choir must be here, and they honoured that request,” he said.

Thanking guests for attending, he described them not merely as invitees but as witnesses to God’s faithfulness in his father’s life.

“I want to honour everyone here who has made it a duty to be here. You are not guests; you are witnesses.”

He said the large turnout reflected the impact the octogenarian had made over decades of ministry and service, adding that the family remained grateful to everyone who joined in celebrating the milestone.