Alapa Okin Apa Prof Akintola leads dignitaries to celebrate 80th birthday of Pa Olaniran, ex NABTEB Director
Femi OGUNLANA
(photos by Abdulrasak BELLO)
Champagnes were popped open, cakes were put to the sword, food such as swallows, rice delicacies, meat of various treats, old time dances, Bible exhortation, praises, goodwill messages and lots more marked the celebration of the 80th birthday of Pa Afolabi Adigun Olaniran JP on Monday, November 4, 2024, at his residence on the undeveloped axis of the Ibadan – Oyo – Ogbomoso – Ilorin new highway within the Ogbomoso metropolis, at Papa Olomi area.
Advertisement
The event was a constellation of bright stars who included Alapa of Okin-Apa, Professor John Akinola Akintola; Prince Samuel Oyebamiji Oyedeji, Mogaji stand – in for Bolanta Soun ruling house of Ogbomoso; Alamura of Amura Ladokun, High Chief Moses Ajagbe; Chief (Dr) Oladejo Akanni, CEO of Akanni Bookstores; and egg heads including Professors Alice Arinade Jekayinfa, John Aderinto and Ade Adejumo.
Some others are Pa Ezekiel Alamu; Mr. Peter Egunbiyi, CEO of LSG Hotel; Pa Jonathan Akinyemi Akinlotan, proprietor of Christ the King Int’l School, Oke-Odan; Mr. Muyiwa Ige, a local government top civil servant; Mr. Adeleke Joshua Ajagbe, director/principal Federal Government College, FGC, Ogbomoso with his vice principals and other principal officers like the bursar; and Pa Amos Ajekiigbe.
Rev’d Matthew Olawale Odeleye, minister -in – charge of Express Baptist Church, where the celebrant worships and is building committee chairman, with text from Genesis 47: 6 – 10, in an exhortation titled, “How old are you?” emphasized that “long life is grace,” noting that we “will all die at the appointed time.”
Rev’d Odeleye remarked that the celebrant has received grace while charging the congregation to use whatever grace granted them for the upliftment of the church and society at large.
The man of God further charged Pa Olaniran, “Continue to be relevant, always think of where you are going, be it in spiritual issue, social issue, family issue as husband, father, grandfather or in community service,” underlining that the more aged a man is the more responsibility he is saddled with.
Advertisement
Continuing his homily, the cleric said, “Never resign to fate but have faith. Baba, I want you to have expectations of heaven. Also at this age you are an authority and so decree blessings and refrain from casting curses, for whatever you decree will be established. Also, be a good advisor. Hold on to Christ, spend more time with the Bible, you are at an age of authority. I charge the congregation as well to always reflect on their life and be conscious of what they will be remembered for. Our age is a challenge.”
My life
The celebrant deviated from norm when he decided to engage the guests by narrating his life story personally instead of the usual reading of his citation by another party.
“I am going to give my life story myself, who knows it better than myself,” he had told the programme anchor, Mr. Femi Ogunlana (publisher of this medium), prior the event, when his citation was demanded.
And truly he did a good job with his gripping and engaging narration.
“I was born in 1944,” he began. He went on to highlight the important milestones of his life such as the one resembling the choosing of the Biblical Young David from among his siblings. The young Afolabi was chosen among 25 children to enjoy the opportunity of schooling in 1954, which changed the narrative of his life. His benefactor was a man named Pa Adigun, an uncle, and that is why he adopted the man’s name, Adigun. He attended Saja Baptist Primary School, Ogbomoso.
Advertisement
The young Afolabi Adigun was among the pupils of Saja Baptist Primary School that marched during the Independence parade on October 1 1960 at the then Ogbomoso public field that became NITEL (and now Civil Defence Area Command Office), he also recalled. After finishing primary school and attending college, he was posted to teach at Baaki Primary School and later at Osupa Baptist Day School. After he passed his GCE with flying colours, he was posted to teach at Baptist Modern School, Ahoyaya.
His childhood was hewn in difficulties, he was a farm labourer, bricklaying workman and was engaged in a lot of petty works at different times just to be able to make headway in life and keep soul and body together.
He also worked at the Nigerian Tobacco Company (NTC), but he left the place. At Baptist College, Iwo, he was given admission number, 2755. He had a tough time in the college especially at inception as then bullying by seniors was a prevailing phenomenon. Despite his age he once was made to put his food plate on his head from where he was made to eat from, interestingly that was the first meal he ever took upon settling in the school. But in accordance with the motto of the school, “Non Scholae Sed Vitae (Not for school but for life),” he took it in his stride.
In 1977, he gained admission into the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), Ile-Ife, where he graduated with a First Class Degree in Economics Education. He observed his NYSC at the University of Ilorin.
He left for the Federal School of Art and Science, Suleja, as a lecturer and he assumed duty immediately as Head of Department because of his legendary punctuality. Two of them assumed duty the same day but he reported 30 minutes earlier than the other person and so he was made the HOD, a position he held for nine years (1982 – 1991).
His ordeal was humongous at that institution too but one principle has ever guided his life, which he imbibed from the teachings of his parents – never be greedy. And when we consider the world we are in is overtaken by the spirit of greediness that breeds corrupt practices, then, we can appreciate the challenges he would be confronted with but he persevered.
From the Federal School of Art and Science he went to work briefly at the Federal Government Girls’ College, Benin, from where was employed at the West African Examination Council (WAEC) but he never started work there before joining the National Business and Technical Examination Board (NABTEB).
“I have always stood by righteousness, and always have unshakable faith in God” he said. An experience at Yola, capital of Adamawa state, which he narrated, will also show the favour of God in his life. “I arrived at Bonanza Hotel Yola at 2:00 am as an officer of NABTEB, with my driver. But shortly after, armed robbers invaded the hotel and ordered all lodgers to come down to the ground floor and lie face down. It was frightening. But then the leader ordered me to stand and return to my hotel room. I alone was allowed to go without being robbed.”
It was a significant experience, he stated. Nobody believed it was a divine, miraculous escape. “It was a miraculous escape. My driver never believed it was not juju I used. Till he left me he continued to pester me to fortify him too with juju. But it is God, I never depend on juju.”
Pa Olaniran sidestepped many corruption temptations at the places he worked. “I held on to the path of righteousness,” he reiterated. He had a remarkable time at NABTEB, serving in many capacities, he was a sought after conference speaker nationally and internationally. He rose through the ranks retiring as a director in the parastatal a few years ago.
His narration of his life trajectory surely enlivened the gathering. It was a highpoint of the eventful event.
Many speakers poured encomium on him with a common thread in their submissions that he is a frank person, forthright, honest, upright, blunt, respectful, humble and accommodating.
“Pa Afolabi Adigun Olaniran shows uncommon love to me,” Alapa of Okin-Apa, Prof Akintola began in his goodwill message. “He speaks the truth always, humble, respectful. The calibre of people here shows his worth. He helped us get NABTEB centre in Okin-Apa without taking a dime.”
Pa Jonathan Akinyemi Akinlotan, who said he has been close to Pa Olaniran since 1959 and went to Baptist College Iwo together, and retired as executive director at ITF (Industrial Training Fund), stated, “We were (and still are) jolly good friends. We are in the same club, Club 25. He is always ready to assist. He excelled in the academic. We do things together till today. His wife was my senior in primary school, so our lives are interwoven. We are also in the OCF Technical Committee on Education together and in same Itesiwaju Club, and Ogbomoso Development Association (ODA).
Pa Ezekiel Ajiboye said, “He is a nice man, but he is quick to get angry yet quick to get his anger dissipated. A very respectful man and leads an easy life.”
Prince Sunday Olalere, a neighbour who has developed intimacy with him describes him thus, “He is very committed to church growth and as the chairman of the building committee he is very transparent, progressive and development-minded, we have a lot to emulate in him.”
Professor Ade Adejumo, a university don, who discloses he knew the celebrant 10 years ago, says, “He is straightforward, always speaks the truth, accommodating, accords respect, straightforward, and upright, he is a man of integrity.”
Pa Ezekiel Ajibade Alamu JP who recently relocated from Lagos and attends the same church with the celebrant in Ogbomoso has this to say, “I knew him in church, we often sit together in church. He is of calm nature, but he doesn’t take nonsense, and is disciplined. He seeks things to be done rightly. Progressive-minded.”
His pastor, Revd Mathew Olawale Odeleye, notes, “He is a committed member of our church. If we schedule a meeting for 4pm he is there by 3:30pm. He is always punctual. Also, in his submissions, he is always pointblank, he stands by the truth always. I knew him in 2019 when I assumed the pastorate of the church; he is our building committee chairman and he makes robust contributions to discussions in the church.”
Prof John Aderinto, a retired Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife lecturer and who is chairman Ogbomoso Community Foundation (OCF) Technical Committee on Education, asserts, “We met at OCF 4 years ago as members of the Technical Committee on Education of which I am chairman by the grace of God. One will not ask for another person like him. Very humble, respectful, very frank. Very vocal, he does not hide anything, very blunt, with high integrity, we need more like him, he is one of the pillars for the committee. I will say in summary, he is a complete gentleman someone one will like to emulate. You cannot quantify his contributions. He has passion for development. He loves his community.”
For Pa Ajekiigbe, a patriotic community leader, “Pa Afolabi Adigun Olaniran is a man of integrity, very honest, very humble, very helpful, very patriotic, in fact, he is all round, an exemplary man. I have known him since 1979 through Mr. J.O. Oladipo alias Peaceway Photo but we lost contact until we reunited at a meeting of Baptist College Iwo Old Students Association. I introduced him to ODA and I introduced him to OCF, where he was made a member of the technical committee on education. When we talk of the progress of Ogbomoso he is unequalled, when we talk of patriotism he is second to none. He is a God-given talent to the people of Ogbomoso. That is partly why he is made a member of the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival’s Committee.”
Prof. Jekayinfa drops, “Today we celebrate a remarkable milestone in the life of a true patriot and a beloved father, friend, and role model. Your journey through life has been marked by diligence, unwavering dedication, and a heart full of love and honesty. In every establishment you worked, you left a legacy of commitment, loyalty, and integrity, and these qualities have inspired everyone privileged to know you. Your devotion to your roots in Ogbomoso and the pride with which you carry your heritage reflect a deep love for your community and your people.
“As you mark this special day, may God continue to be your strength and guide. Just as it says in Isaiah 46:4, ‘Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.’ May God carry you through every season of life with joy and peace.
“We pray that the Lord blesses you with health and a renewed spirit each day, as He has promised in Psalm 92:14, ‘They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green.’ May you flourish and continue to bring blessings to those around you, filling hearts with joy and wisdom.
“And as Proverbs 16:31 reminds us, ‘Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness.’ Your years are truly a crown of honor, and we thank God for the gift of your life. May He continue to surround you with His love, fill your days with gladness, and grant you the peace that surpasses all understanding.
“Happy Birthday once again, Pa Afolabi Olaniran! We celebrate you and pray that the Lord’s grace continues to abound in your life.”
Also in a goodwill message, the director/principal of FGC, Ogbomoso, Mr. Ajagbe pens, “
“My first contact with Pa Afolabi Olaniran was in 2022 when he was appointed the chairman,
School Based Management Committee of our College. Pa. Afolabi Olaniran represents an epitome of wealth of experience in and out of Civil Service. He is unassuming and uncompromising when it comes to issues bothering personal indiscipline and credibility. His commitment and dedication to duties are unparalleled, impossibility is not in his dictionary in the pursuant of set goals. He is a motivator, encourager and a role model to all and sundry.
“Since assumption of duty as the chairman of School Based Management Committee Federal Government College, Ogbomoso, he has initiated and facilitated a lot of development. Every member of the Committee has benefited immensely from his vast experience. May our good Lord bless him with a longer life of peace and good health so he can live positively in Jesus’ name.”
His son, Prophet Jonathan Olaniran, described him as “a father indeed. A real man, a real husband. He maintains harmony in the family, he never had a situation of irreconcilable discord with our mum. We are proud of him. He always speaks the truth. If we have to come back to the world, his children will love to come through him again.”
Also, the matriarch of the Afolabi Olaniran clan, Mama Comfort Olaniran submitted, “Olaniran Alamu my husband, he is good, nice, a good father. He once sold his gas cylinder to be able to pay his children’s school fees. He monitored his children up to the NYSC. Abiyamo gidi ni.”
He was a man of many achievements, he attended many national and international conferences several of which he was a speaker and a member. Some are those by Association for Educational Assessment, which is a forum comprising all educational bodies in Africa; Association for Educational Assessment, a body comprising all examination bodies in the world; Institute of Chartered Economies of Nigeria; National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration; Association of Educational Researchers and Evaluators of Nigeria. At NABTEB it is instructive to also state that he was chairman of the Junior Staff Appointment and Disciplinary Commission for nine years. His long years in the position underscores his effectiveness, he had held forte till he retired.
Delivering vote of thanks Engr Folasayo Olaniran expressed gratitude to all who came to honour his “wonderful” dad whom he also said is a cheerful giver.
Engr Olaniran attested to the observation that his father is prone to anger but that the anger subsides as quickly as it breaks. “Once dad makes his point of disagreement known he makes peace with you again. If he is angry at night he will be the one to call you in the morning. He is such a wonderful father who can give anything to ensure his children are well educated.”
He was created Justice of the Peace (JP) by the Oyo state government in 2019. He is also a member of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN). As a community patriot underscored by his membership of several socio-cultural organizations he is also a member of the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival committee.a
His birthday celebration all concluded was an inspiring occasion with every guest wishing him more years on earth.
