He is a PhD holder in Environmental Chemistry. He is an entrepreneur, the Chief Executive Officer of Crownfit Global Logistics with operational bases in the US and his hometown, Osogbo, the Osun State capital. He is Dr Lekan Adewuyi, Baltimore-based and reputed for his selfless service to his immediate community and humanity as a whole.
Yesterday, October 16, he stepped into the class of sexagenarians, an age which begins the desired second half of life’s adventure, therefore inferring that 60 is not just a number but rather a statement and attestation to the trip which started from age zero from the womb of his late mother, Alhaja Sikiratu Adewuyi, wife of the late Alhaji Abubakar Adewuyi of Oniyere Compound, Ita Olokan, off Osogbo-Ilesa Road.
To the self-motivated Adewuyi, taking off from John Mackay Primary School, Oke-Ayepe, Osogbo, through Ogidan Grammar School, Oke-Baale, Osogbo, to the Premier University of Ibadan, his Diamond Jubilee is six decades of learning, relearning, winning, losing, loving and lifting. It is the age where childhood memories and adult achievements meet; where strength softens into wisdom and the noise of ambition gives way to the calm of fulfilment.
In other words, a 60th birthday is not merely a celebration of age; it is a celebration of grace and proof of God’s faithfulness. Through family joys and pains, career battles and silent victories, the birthday marks a significant transition to another layer of life.
It is the moment to look back with gratitude and look forward with hope. Adewuyi’s children are growing up, all making him proud in the US; his career has spoken, having served as Secretary of Osogbo Local Government between 1999 and 2002. The house has been built, but more importantly, character has been formed, as he currently serves as the National Public Relations Officer of the Osogbo Progressives Union (OPU USA).
Long before this post, he had also served as Supervisor for Education, Youth and Sports in Osogbo Local Government. At another time and another level, he was also the pioneering Secretary and President of the Osogbo-Wilmington Sister Cities Partnership. He delivered his beat meritoriously with a track record which follows him to all his destinations at his base and back home.
This Diamond Jubilee is thus not only a party but also a thanksgiving and a gathering of those whose lives have been touched – family, friends, colleagues, mentees.
His academic height is evidential that he had set forth before dawn; his results from primary school leaving certificate to his post-graduate level distinguished him among his mates. He justified his Senior Prefect post by emerging the best student at the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) in 1985, consequently paving the way for his progression to higher institution.
An obviously underreported side of his life was his equal brilliance in extra-curricular activities outside the classroom. From primary school, he was a skilful footballer who would always defy the intimidating frame of his opponents and reduce them to ordinary on the pitch.
A Lagos-based legal practitioner, who incidentally attended the same secondary school with Adewuyi and indeed succeeded him as Senior Prefect, Barrister Ayo Faniyi, remembered his unique personality during their formative years and ranked him among the best students in the 46-year-old history of the school founded by the late Chief Bola Ige administration in the former Oyo State during the Second Republic.
“Whom he has become today does not and should not be a surprise to those of us who knew him back then in the early 80s in secondary school. Because of his outstanding disposition, he was loved by teachers and fellow students. He was pleasant, humble and very respectful. You would hardly find his fault on issues. He is brilliant and unassuming about it, in contrast to some empty barrels who are known for noise-making rather than substance,” he remarked.
Adewuyi, at 60, is not old, going by his durable stature which hides his biological age. He is refined just like fine wine, which is better with age; like gold, tested by fire; like a diamond, unbreakable and priceless.
Director, Centre for Advancement, University of Ilorin, Professor Waheed Yahya, in his goodwill message, described his fellow scholar’s Diamond Jubilee as years of life, wisdom, wonderful memories and countless blessings worthy of singing, drumming and dancing.
Yahya, whose secondary school, Nawarudeen Grammar School, shared proximity with that of Adewuyi, prayed to God to make his new chapter of life a harbinger of joy, sound health, abundant peace, renewed strength and many more reasons to smile, adding that God shall continue to guide his steps, bless his works, grant him the beautiful desires of his heart and surround him with love, favour and happiness.
“May you continue to shine brightly and enjoy the beautiful rewards of your years of dedication and hard work. I wish you a happy and highly fulfilling 60th Birthday, my dear brother and friend,” he prayed.
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