In an appreciable number, they bought tickets, they boarded planes, they flew over the Atlantic because of one of them who is said to have also often embarked on similar trips in honour of his friends functions, however far and tight.
From the US and the UK, they landed safely at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos and headed to Ibadan, the host of Omo Oba Kunle Olatunji’s diamond jubilee birthday ceremony.
It wasn’t just a trip, it was an homecoming, a royal reunion and a statement that 60th anniversary deserves celebration in this age when life span shrinks by the season.
For three days; that is, from Thursday, August 27 to Saturday, August 29, the Oyo State capital played host to these diasporans joined by their Nigerian counterparts including traditional rulers, politicians, media practitioners, legal practitioners, academics and other personalities.
They all witnessed Olatunji’s historic celebration, preparation of which he had commenced just after his 59th birthday in 2025 when he sent out notification and invites to his numerous contacts through whatsapp.
The birthday took off on humanitarian note with Olatunji’s visit to the Oni & Sons Children Hospital situated on Ring Road, Ibadan where he extended kind gestures to the inmates and management in some valuable items. He particularly put smiles on faces of three patients who could not afford to pay their bills and were almost stuck in the hospital. In return, the management expressed gratitude to the celebrant and prayed for a long life.
The Oni & Sons Children Hospital is a legacy of the late construction magnate, the ImesiEkiti-born Chief Theophelus Oni who passed on in 1975 but before then donated his property to the then Westeran State Government as a pediatric hospital.
The success of Olatunji’s visit to the hospital overlapped to his Asun Night held at the Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan where more guests turned up in white attires and savoured old school lyrics and exchanged batters under a relaxed atmosphere.
A royal father, who was Olatunji’s classmate in primary school in Ibadan in the 70s, the Eburu of Iba, Oba Adekunle Adeogun Okunoye, melted into the evening gathering in his simple, shy T-shirt. The traditional ruler impressed the guests with his shared history with the celebrant aside their primary school days experiences.
“We were together in Primary Four but I left him when I gained admission to secondary school in Primary Five. It is of interest that we attended the same University of Ibadan but ironically we never ran into each other on campus. But we would years later meet to become friends again.
“When he relocated to the US with his family, they were my guests for five months or thereabouts. May God spare his life to celebrate many more years of prosperity,” Oba Okunoye, who was accompanied to the event by the Aare Gbobaniyi of Iba, Chief Oyekunle Adesola, prayed.
Other enthusiastic guests also took turn to pay cheering tributes to Olatunji, majority of whom attested that he is a stubborn but responsible man who would not mind inconvenience to provide support for his friends when they need his presence.
Again, another success recorded at the night of nostalgia prepared the guests for the grand finale at the Jogor Centre, opposite the Liberty Stadium, Ibadan the following day.
Even though the party started behind schedule with opening prayers offered by former Chief Operating Officer of the Leadership newspapers, Abuja, Mr Dele Fanimo, it was attended by dignitaries including Mr Dapo Falade who described the party as a grand celebration and the celebrant as a grassroots man despite his sojourning in Uncle Sam’s country. He noted the socio-political significance of the party in the convergence of members of different parties warming up for the 2027 governorship and presidential elections.
“The air of conviviality among the bigwigs present at the event was far beyond the pervading hostilities ahead of the 2027 elections. KTJ, being a journalist of note before he left the shores of the country for the United States, was able to draw an impressive large number of men and women of the pen-pushing profession to his birthday bash. It was a joyous moment that will be long savoured,” he enthused.
Former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and the immediate past Provost of the College of Law of the Osun State University, Ifetedo, Professor Mojeed Alabi arrived before the official commencement of the party despite his other engagement in Osogbo, the Osun State capital. He told this reporter that he had no justification not to honour Olatunji, whom he said, was regularly sending him a reminder.
Also in attendance was Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilesa, Professor Taiwo Asaolu. Others included former Editor of the defunct Sketch newspapers, Mr Fisan Bankale, Sunday Tribune columnist, Dr Festus Adedayo, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Oyo State, Asiwaju Mutalub Adebayo, SAN; former Commissioner for Political Affairs and Inter- Governmental Relations in Osun State, Hon. Taiwo Akeju, the celebrant university room mate, Mr Tope Adeyemi, Hon Babatunde Oduyoye, Hon Gbenga Onigbogi, Mr Kehinde Ajayi, Mr Wahab Ekundayo among other dignitaries including the Ajeniju of Halleluyah, Isegunola Kingdom, Oba Yusuf Jelili Olaiya.
On the list of friends from outside Nigeria included Mr Ajayi Marvus Akula, Mr Wale Ajanaku, Mr Gbenga Bayode, Mr Funso Fafowora, Mr & Mrs Oki, Bakare, Mrs Sola Thomas, Mrs Mayegun Babanumi, MrcTunde Odewenwa, Mr Ayo Richard, Bola Akingboye Sanni, Mr Omidele, Mr Ademola Tomori, Mr Eric Famutimi, Mr Adeyanju Charles, Mr & Mrs Ilesanmi, Chief Seyi Ofuyela, Biodun, UK, Mr Emmanuel Iyioriobhe, Mr Lanre Edun, Toyin Sofoluwe, Mr Oladimeji Ojo, Mr & Mrs Amusan, Chief Micho, Mr Joseph Oyetunji and Mr & Mrs Ilesanmi.
Olatunji’s wife, Mrs Abimbola Olatunji paid inspiring tribute to her hubby, describing him as a strong and determined husband who doesn’t do things in half measures.
“He is an intentional man of his words. He doesn’t care for the cost of fulfilling his promise. He is principled and truthful and disciplined,” she stated.
After Olatunji had danced to a live juju band and a cultural performance, he stood from his special seat, overlooking the audience, took microphone and poured out his heart to all guests whom, he said, found him worthy of their presence. He began his appreciation with what sounded like a biblical song of praise.
“This occasion really delights my heart with this unbelievable turnout of old primary school and university friends and work mates in the Department of Criminal Justice in Texas. This is massive, and I can’t thank all of them enough for this show of love,” he assured.
**Published September 5
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