THRIVING AT 46: AYO OGUNSAN CELEBRATES GOODNESS OF GOD WITH RIVETING GOSPEL HYMNS AND SONGS CONCERT; IGP BABA CALLS HIM ‘ICONIC NATIONAL COLLOSUS’
By Oki Samson, Trek Africa Newspaper
L-R: Dr. Mrs Ajoke Ogunsan and Dr. Ayo Ogunsan
What a day, cool, calm, and serene Sunday to rejoice. It was a perfect time for many top notch business tycoons, political bigwigs, officers and men to gather and let down their heads in worship of the Lord, Creator!
What a place, gaily decorated to kingly splendor with the sparkling lights and colour, the heavenlies are full of joy and goodwill to the sons of men!
What a time, to celebrate the goodness of God in the life of a young, dynamic, and ebullient personality who has dedicated his life wholly to serve the Lord in the marketplace, the man of influence, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan!
And the day did live up to its billing. It was hymns, hymns, more hymns, choruses, and worship songs, all to the praise of the majesty of the Creator, Lord God Almighty and the Saviour Jesus Christ. Leading the people in praise were the sonorous orchestral voices who led many soul-lifting and heart-warming songs like How Great Thou art; Come thou fount if every blessing; Joyful, joyful, we adore thee; there is power in the blood of Jesus; You are my all in all, among other hymns.
Cross section of dignitaries with the Ogunsans during the cutting of 46th birthday cake of Dr. Ayo Ogunsan
The array of clergymen at the event included Pastor Segun Babatope who shared the message, Pastor Isaac Olaomo who led the opening prayer, Pastor Wale Dosunmu who led the hymn ‘He touched me’, Pastor Afuwape, Pastor Olaniyan, Pastor Emeka Izeze, Pastor Michael, and the anchor of the concert, Dr. Tope Ojemen. Business magnates were also well-represented at the event. Billionaire construction giant, Sir Olu Okeowo; Chairman of Infinity Paints, Pastor Dr. Sehingbemi Johnson; the Managing Director of Longrich.
The long list of top echelon in the security space comprised the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Bode Adeleke; former CP of Lagos, AIG Hakeem Odumosu (retd); former CP of Ogun state, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun (retd); the Commissioner of Police in Lagos Command, CP Sylvester Abiodun Alabi; the Commissioner of Police in Ogun state, CP Lanre Bankole; CP Yetunde Longe, the Commissioner of Police, Railway command; CP Adegoke Fayoade; and the Chairman of PCRC in Lagos, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo, and their wives.
R-L: Sir Olu Okeowo; his Wife; Dr. Ayo Ogunsan and a special guest
Also present were the Special Adviser Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr. Femi Adesina; Commissioner of Education; Commissioner of Women Affairs; the Special Adviser (Works and Infrastructure), Engr. Aramide; the Administrator at Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Mr. Degbola Lewis; APC National Youth leader, Hon. Dayo Israel, among other politicians.
Members of the academic community like the Vice Chancellor, Registrar, and Bursar of Caleb university; Chairman, Dowen college; the former English teacher Pa Samuel Ogunyemi and wife; among several educationists were at the event.
Reading the goodwill message of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, AIG Bode Adeleke shared: ‘A special birthday felicitation to an iconic personality. I celebrate you for the landmark 46th birthday. You are a rare gem who live on the genuine friendship, resilience, and uncommon drive. You are widely acknowledged as a quintessential personality. We celebrate with your family and many others who have drank from your milk of kindness and your wealth of knowledge. You are an iconic national colossus.’ AIG then ended with the singing of the chorus, ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord’.
L-R: Mercy Ogunsan; Oluwaseun Ogunsan and Joy Ogunsan
The highpoint of the concert was when the celebrant led the orchestra in the rendition of the song ‘Jesus, the Lamb of God, Worthy is Your name’.
Also, setting the atmosphere on fire with worship was the wife, Dr. Mrs. Ajoke Ogunsan with the song ‘What a wonderful name it is – the name of Jesus’, the couple sang ‘You raise me up’ in unison while the three daughters – Mercy, Joy, and Oluwaseun – led the orchestra in the songs, You say, thank You for being God, and what a wonderful world. With these amazing renditions, one wonders if there is a regular competition for the best worshipper in the Ogunsan’s residence.
What more, the youngest daughter, Oluwaseun Ogunsan alongside other children brought many to their feet as they danced to ‘Oh, Happy Day’ and CP Yetunde Longe cheered on the children.
Sir. Olu Okeowo began with some Gospel choruses like ‘ma joba lo Oluwa’ before he shared his brief word of advice. He said: ‘Ayo, I love you from the top of my heart. I have so much faith in you, and I always tell you. God will never fail you. Whoever wants you to fall will fall for your sake.’
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the President, Mr. Demo Adesina (2nd left); Dr. Ayo Ogunsan (right); his wife, Dr. Ajoke Ogunsan (2nd right).
The Chairman, Dowen college led the cutting of the birthday cake – Ayo is my grandson, radiates joy. You will be joy today, tomorrow, everyday in Jesus name.
In his vote of thanks, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan praised the great men and women who were present at the event. He specially thanked the Nigeria Police, saying: They are the engine room of Nigeria. They are the people who don’t sleep when we are asleep. The day Nigeria Police go on strike, all of us will run out of Nigeria. Many of us will go on Twitter to abuse them but they are doing a great job. We have to respect and honour them. I promise to be a loyal, civilian officer. I will love to be decorated as a civilian officer.’
The Celebrant, Dr Ayo Ogunsan
Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Zone 2, AIG Adeleke Bode and his Wife
Joy Ogunsan
L-R: Dr Mrs Ajoke Ogunsan and her husband, Dr Ayo Ogunsan
L-R: Mr Philip; The Adelekes
L-R: Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi; Dr Ayo Ogunsan; his wife, Dr Mrs Ajoke Ogunsan and Wife of Lagos Commissioner of Police, Mrs Tosin Alabi
The Alabis
AIG Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu rtd (4th right); CP Adegoke Fayoade (4th left); DCP Gbolahan Olugbemi (right); ACP Ola Jide Agboola (2nd left); Chairman, PCRC Lagos State, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo (3rd right)
Pa Samuel Ogunyemi and wife; Dr Mrs Ajoke Ogunsan (2nd left)
L-R: Wife of AIG Zone 2, Mrs Adeleke; AIG Zone 2, AIG Bode Adeleke; Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Abiodun Alabi; Wife of Lagos CP, Mrs Tosin Alabi; Celebrant/Chairman of Executive Group, Dr Ayo Ogunsan; his Wife, Dr Ajoke Ogunsan; a special guest and Commissioner of Police, Railway Command, CP Yetunde Longe
L-R: CP Abiodun Alabi; AIG Adeleke Bode; National Youth Leader, All Progressive Congress (APC), Hon Dayo Israel and AIG Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu (rtd)
CP Fayoade Adegoke and wife
L-R: Dr and DPO Ilupeju Division, SP Matilda Ngbaronye
