The founding father of the Tuns Group, who doubles as the Asiwaju Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Tunde Badmus loves himself. Who doesn’t? He loves life too. Also, he loves humanity with his verifiable catalogue of philantrophic gestures that is blind to colour and class. Equally and as a matter of principle, he loves to stand out, being a child of desirable destiny from birth on May 9, 1946 in the then Gold Coast, now Ghana.
Thus, in the coveted history of Osogbo, the Osun State capital, founded in 1670 by the duo of Larooye and Olutimehin, no paragraph had contained an 80th birthday ceremony as grandeur, as glamorous and as magnetic as that former national president of the Poultry Association of Nigeria hosted last weekend in the ancient town.
Through his bright mien and relaxed body language, Badmus appeared to have fulfilled one of his childhood dreams in life by building and, at his 80th, handing over an elegant mosque to the NASFAT, a fast-growing Islamic group, to make practice of Islam easier for the adherents.
That was on Friday, May 8, when dignitaries from muslim community within and outside Osun State, including representative of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, joined him at the opening of the mosque sitting conspicously on a spot along Osogbo-Ikirun road and named Alhaji Khamis Olatunde Badmus Central Mosque, Osogbo.
Shortly after the handing over amidst cheers and chorus of Allah Akbar, guests observed the very first Juma’at service which was led by the National Missioner of the Ansar-Ud-Deen, Sheikh Abdurrahaman Ahmad.
Success of this event spilled over to the next day on the campus of the Fountain University, Osogbo, where Badmus’ biography–“Man of Many Frontiers: The Life, Faith and Influence of Asiwaju Khamis Olatunde Badmus”–authored by the celebrated Saturday Tribune Editor, Dr Lasisi Olagunju, was unveiled by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke who was closely supported by President, the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the host royal father, the 16th Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun and others.
The governor felicitated the latest Octogenarian whom he described in screaming phrases like an accomplished elder statesman, a respected businessman, and distinguished Islamic leader.
Adeleke enthused that Badmus enviable life has been defined by discipline, generousity, humility, humanity, promotion of religious harmony, peaceful co-existence and sustained contributions to community, state and national development as evident in his antecedent.
“At 80, Baba’s legacy of compassion, wisdom, and service stands tall. His contributions to religious advancement, human capital development, and social stability will continue to earn him respect and admiration,” he remarked.
The governor finally prayed for continued strength, sound health, peace of mind, and many more fruitful years for the celebrant in the service of God and humanity.
Secretary to the Osun State Government, Bobagunwa Teslim Igbalaye also affirmed the virtues of Badmus, noting that his immense contributions to Islam, commerce and community development will continue to inspire millions across Osun State and beyond.
“Your commitment to spiritual growth, philanthropy, and entrepreneurial excellence has continued to inspire pride and progress within our society. You are indeed a remarkable personality whose contributions have significantly shaped the development of Osogbo and Osun State at large,” the SSG, said.
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was not left behind in pouring words of eulogy on Badmus before he announced a sum of N5 million for the launched biography, the traditional ruler praised the industrialist and prayed to God to also bless him with a long life. In his usually hilarious lines, Oba Ogunwusi lamented his arrival behind schedule and explained the constraint which strayed onto his way.
The Fountain University Vice-Chancellor, Prof Olayinka Kareem, who used the occasion to present a copy of Holy Qur’an to Dangote, described Badmus as a prominent elder and philanthropist, and the occasion as a rare privilege and a memorable milestone for the University community.
She declared that hosting Dangote and honouring Badmus at one occasion underscored the university’s standing as a centre for scholarship and community engagement.
Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Offa, Dr Kamoru Kadri also felicitated Badmus and particularly wished him many more years of service to humanity and to religious leadership, calling him a philantropist of note and investor in human capital.
“There is enough evidence of number of his beneficiaries during their struggle days in schools. The seed he sowed then are now germinating today, Baba Asiwaju should be thankful to God to have lived long to see results of his generosity. I wish him happy birthday,” the rector concluded.
A versatile Punch columnist, Mr Tunde Odesola, in his article published on May 8 and entitled, “Asiwaju Tunde Badmus: When Osogbo river becomes an ocean”, dropped some complementary words on Badmus. Odesola built that widely circulated opinion on his over two decades association with Badmus when he was Osun State correspondent of the titles upon his transfer in 2003.
“Khamis is the gentle brook that flows with milk and honey for all and sundry. Many daily throng to Asiwaju’s shoreline to eat and drink. When some have eaten bellyfuls, they turn around and spit into the river, but Olatunde will not utter a word of anger, for he possesses a large heart that forgives and a thick skin that tolerates. His water is self-cleansing and satisfying,” he opined.
Again, Badmus distinct taste manifested in his engagement of top musicians, all of whom lived up to their billing. He stunned the audience when he rose from his seat, rushed out and personally ushered the incoming KSA into the hall in a show of a long time fraternity. When Badmus commissioned his Osogbo GRA palatial residence in 1991, it was learnt, KSA and late Dr Sikiru Ayinde Barrister were on the bandstand. At his 80th birthday, K1 joined KSA alongside a Barrister look-alike, Alhaji Azeez Besco, Mr Abideen Yusuff Olatunji, Chief Ajobiewe, the poet and a cultural troupe.
KSA’s performance followed his traditional stagecraft which kept guests, including Chief Executive Officer of the Muri International, Alhaji Murtala Busari, an old friend of the celebrant, glued to their seats.
K1’s arrival recharged the atmosphere as he landed into a warm embrace of important personalities, after which he also mounted the stage and exploded with varities of lyrics and percussion which electrified the hall.
His rhythm apparently pierced through the hearts of students of the host university who took to the dance floor and revelled K1’s vibes and preaching of patriotism, reminding them of need to be well behaved because of their status as leaders of tomorrow.
Aside the Ooni and the Ataoja, the Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdurasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, the Elegushi of Ikate-Elegushi, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, the Olofa of Ofa, Oba Mufutau Oloyede Gbadamosi and other royal fathers graced the occasion.
Also at the occasion were Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Egbedun, the Yeyeluwa of Ede, Chief Modupe Adeleke Sanni, Osun State Governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Munirudeen Oyebamiji , former Ogun State Governorship candidate, Mr Ladi Adebutu.
Far away from Osogbo, the serene town of Ada witnessed the conclusion of the birthday where members of the Miccom Golf Club from different places hosted Badmus who spotted his Golf apparel.
In attendance at the exhibition were former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Engr Lanre Shagaya, former Osun State Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Omoniyi Abolarin, the Owa of Igbajo, Oba Ademola Kayode Makinde and a host of others.
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