Otunba Olajumoke Ogunkeyede At 70: Celebrating An Embodiment Of Practical Experience Of Life

BY ADEBOYE ADEBAYO

Birthday is a momentous occasion, an anniversary of the day on which one is born. It is a day to reminisce the chance life gave one to commence a duty. It is also an important moment to celebrate the joy of being alive, and these celebrations consistently accumulate to form a cluster of sweet memories.

Age is indeed a number but life is certainly a battle. And if the life is that of the urbane and personable Otunba Olajumoke Ogunkeyede, then life is not only a battle, it is a full blown war. Ever since he made himself a freedom fighter, an advocate of egalitarian society and destinies’ helper, he has had no reprieve from the unrelenting forces of evil. He is caught in the vortex of the eternal battle between good and evil during the days of military junta in Nigeria when he joined forces with others in the United States to nip the military madness in bud.

Born on March 3rd, 1949, JMK as he fondly called has been through the thick & thin, hills & valleys, he has been through the good, not too good, the bad & the ugly.

Otunba JMK is a quintessential leader who has no doubt, contributed to the growth, development and progress of social and economic development of the State of Osun & Nigeria in general.

Otunba JMK is an inspiration to all classes of the society, he is fearless, brave and very courageous. He is a peace maker and a selfless leader who will go to any length to assist his followers.

Otunba JMK is very accommodating, loyal and committed to the tenets, principles and Ideals of progressive ideologies in making Nigeria a better place.

Whenever, I visit, I do that often when I am in Osun, he shares with me his experiences in life, he has shared with me the most private experience of his life and I have learnt so greatly from his life experience.

Otunba JMK is an embodiment of humanities, a lot of young Nigerians and Africans passed through him and he ensured their peaceful stay in their sojourn in the foreign land.

Otunba JMK will go to any length to help you achieve your dream, he will devise strategies for you to achieve your goals and he will not abandon you halfway to your success.

Otunba JMK does not discriminate, he will wine and dine with us as if we are colleagues, he does look down on the young ones, he seeks their opinion and thoughts on important issues.

Otunba JMK is a bridge builder, he forgives and forgets rancour easily, he does not keep malice, he makes his mind out on issues, takes a stand and moves on with his life.

Otunba JMK gives a lot and cheerfully, he loves education and he helps people a lot to go to school. He believes so much that education is the bedrock of achieving greatness in life and also it is the only lead way to make our society a better place. He invests so much in that regard.

Otunba JMK can be sarcastic some times, he exhibit funny sarcasm with his driver; Sunday a lot, with his domestic staff and his visitors. Never a dull moment with him.

Otunba JMK is always at home with everybody with a good heart, he has soft spot for women as they are weaker vessels according to the Bible. He loves his children, yes! a lot, he loves and cares for his family and he wants the best for them at all times.

Otunba JMK loves and cares for her aged mother. May God gives Mama more life in good health and sound mind.

Otunba JMK still have a lot to offer this country, going through his CV, I discovered that there is more to tap from his experiences for the good and betterment of the society, State of Osun and indeed our country.

I pray God in his mercy to grant him more abundant life in good health and sound mind.

I also pray God Almighty personally locate him and raise him for a National and International assignment for our country for indeed his CV is rich.

Baba, as you are celebrating your 70th birthday at the moment, may your road continue to be “rough”, may you continue to triumph and may eternal life never eluded you.

Please, it should be noted that this tributary note is humbly put together by me based on my personal encounter and relationship with the celebrant

I am Comrade Adeboye Adebayo