MAMA IBIKUNLE ATTAINS SEPTUAGENARIAN STATUS
AS FAMILY MEMBERS THROW OUT MIGHTY BIRTHDAY RECEPTION IN HONOUR OF AN ACCOMPLISHED ADMINISTRATOR
It is not every day that one gets the opportunity to celebrate a person who has clocked the grand age of seventy. So it was indeed a time of celebration for the Ibikunles in Akure, the Ondo State capital, who were joined by family members, friends, colleagues and other well wishers for the thanksgiving service to celebrate a woman of integrity, of noble character, a disciplinarian with exemplary achievements, Chief (Mrs) Funmilayo Ibikunle as she joined the league of septuagenarians in grand style on Sunday September 22, 2019.
The birthday celebration commenced with a church service at the St Catholic Cathedral Church , Akure with the Presiding Clergyman, a senior Pastor in the Church, admonishing the congregation to have the fear of God and emulate the good virtues of the celebrant who he described as a hardworking female politician and administrator. In his words, “ Chief (Mrs) Funmilayo Ibikunle is a God-fearing woman who is dedicated to the services of God”. He prayed that God would grant her long life to be more dedicated in His vineyard. With a heart of gratitude to God, family members, friends and well-wishers danced forth to give their token to God to give their gratitude for His faithfulness in the life of the celebrant as the church choir serenaded all with great music. And in a switch reaction, the celebrant was full of gratitude to God for sparing her life and for the invaluable services she had been able to render to towards the upliftment of the state in her own little way, for according to her, such developments could only be allowed by God. Mama could not hide her joy as she danced to the amazement of all for the gracious privilege of attaining age seventy.
The elegantly, gorgeously dressed guests later converged at the event hall of the Sunbeth Hotel, Akure for the reception to celebrate a woman of outstanding legacies and distinctions. In attendance were Political icons, traditional rulers , businessmen, captains of industries, family members and other admirers who trooped out in large numbers to commemorate with the stylish administrator cum farmer who has been wonderfully blessed with fantastic children who deemed it fit to give their mum a befitting birthday party. They include immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and PDP standard bearer in the 2016 governorship election in the state, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede (SAN), Permanent Secretary of the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Niran Ikuomola, and Chief Medical Director of the University of Medicine Teaching Hospital, Ondo, Dr. Oluwole Ige. The list also include General Bola Ajayi, Nigeria Army, Otunba Lekan Akinyele (known in social circles as Loko of London), and Chief Medical Director of the State Specialist Hospital, Akure, Dr. Adesina Akintan, among other guests.
The numerous guests were treated to a warm and colourful reception at the occasion. The assortment of foods, their quality and reach could only remind one of the offerings of some of the best hotels in the country. The different types of exotic drinks as well as choice wines would compel any guest to dream a return of the day as early as possible. And for Femi Ibikunle, a son of the celebrant, it was no dull moment as he joined his siblings in a very casual attire to join the guests in their merriment. The celebration assumed a more vivacious air as friends and well wishers joined the septuagenarian to cut the gigantic birthday cake.
This caring heart woman has every reason to celebrate and be thankful to her Creator for keeping her alive and successful, at a time when the odds are stacked against the average Nigerian, thereby preventing many from seeing the seventh decade on earth. Hero Magazine was able to ascertain without the fear of any contradiction that Mama has been able to carve a niche for herself in the motherhood sphere of Nigeria. And that is why she was very appreciative of the birthday honour at the instance of her children who planned it so big and mighty that ace Juju legend, King Osupa Saheed, MC Nice and the popular Alhaji Ramon were fully on ground for hours and thrilled invited guests with a very scintillating performances.
