Olori Grace Faduyile celebrates 70th birthday .
– Steve Ovirih.
Ikoya, the cradle of Ikale land became a Mecca of sort on Saturday , the 2nd April 2022 as the agrarian community played host to a cross section of very important dignitaries from all walks of life who had come to felicitate with Olori Abodi, Olori Grace Olabode Faduyile on the grand occasion of her 70th birthday celebration.
That the community sprung alive and became a beehive of activities was an understatement ; the weeklong programme lined up to mark Olori Faduyile’s epochal milestone 70th birth anniversary would be a talk of the town for quite a long time. The programme of event started on Wednesday , 30th March , 2022 with a free Medical outreach at Ikoya. In the course of the outreach, medical checks and diagnosis were carried out on the aged as blood sugar tests, Blood pressure assessment, Diabetics test and many more were done while drugs and thorough medical advice were offered. Staff of Ondo State Hospital Management Board , nurses , care givers and Medical Doctors were fully on ground to ensure the success of the exercise. Recall that the celebrant’s eldest son, the Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Health Matters, Prof. Adedayo Faduyile is an expert in the field of Medicine , thus he and his doctor colleagues added their field expertise to the thoroughness of the Medical outreach.
On Thursday , the 31st March, the birthday celebration continued as there was a special visitation to both the State Specialist Hospital Okitipupa and the correctional Center also in Okitipupa . This was followed by the Final Female Competition amongst select secondary schools in Ikaleland.
On Friday , the 1st April, there was the Launching of Olori Grace Faduyile’s Biography ” Uren Ajo – The Enthralling Life Journey of Olori Grace Faduyile.” The event held at The Lilly Top Event Center, Ogo Oluwa , Okitipupa.
The grand finale of Olori Grace Faduyile’s 70th birthday celebration held at The Government Field, Ikoya on Saturday,, the 2nd April.
Fully on ground to felicitate with Olori Abodi was the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, ably represented by his Deputy, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, who had in his entourage Memebers of the Ondo State Executive Council.
The grand finale featured tributes and remarks by distinguished elite and dignitaries who had known the celebrant over the decades.
While delivering his good will message, Prof. Akindutire described the celebrant as a teacher of teachers and an embodiment of discipline. ” I have known Olori Faduyile for close to fifty years now and I can confidently say she is a good woman. We taught together in Primary School, we did the same thing in secondary school , I left for the university while she stayed behind to become a school Principal. She rose through the ranks to reach the peak of her profession and she acquitted herself well in her beat as Principal across schools in Ikaleland. And what is more, she plays a great role as the wife of The Abodi, Aba Aye; let me remind you that being the wife of a royal father of the status of Oba Abodi is not an easy task. But my colleague combines all of these responsibilities and she has done a commendable job of being a wife, a mother and astute disciplinarian, ” Prof. Akindutire maintained.
The Olori Osemawe of Ondo Kingdom, Olori Kiladejo in her own remark said Olori Faduyile stood out in the pack and among her colleagues, describing her as a woman who found favour with God. The Queen mother of Ekimogun Kingdom congratulated Olori Faduyile, stressing that the virtues that stood the celebrant out is worth emulating by all young women.
Barrister Otayemi, a counsel of note, counselled the celebrant to continue to be grateful to God for the grace upon her life, noting that climbing one’s 70th year of existence in good health in the presence of one’s husband, Children and grand children and being celebrated with fanfare like this in one’s life time is a reflection of God’s benevolence over the celebrant.
Chief Otetubi, former Commissioner in the cabinet of Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and celebrant’s son -in-law while congratulating Olori Faduyile said she is a great woman whom God has blessed with great children and eminently great grand children. He said it is obvious Mama found grace as her name implies in the eyes of God and he himself is a beneficiary of Mama’s grace as a bonafide in-law and a good son. He said the celebrant relates with him like a mother to a son and he has drank from his fountain of candid counsel, advice and prayers.
The grand finale featured the unveiling and cutting of the birthday cake by Olori Grace Olabode Faduyile who was supported by her husband , The Abodi, Oba George Babatunde Faduyile, Colleague roya father of the Abodi alongside other dignitaries.
The celebrant showed she still got a very smooth and smart dance steps and she displayed this with zest when she was asked to the dance floor by the compere to exhibit a dance of appreciation to God on her special day. Children and grand children both from Nigeria and across the globe who had come to celebrate their mother all rallied round Olori Faduyile on the dance floor.
Speaking to thepolity.net on the fringe of the celebration , The Kalasuwe of Apoi land, His Imperial Majesty , Oba Prof. Amuseghan said on behalf of the 130 crowns , he congratulates the Olori Abodi, Grace Faduyile and expressed the goodwill of the entire Apoi kingdom. The royal father praised the celebrant and charged her to continue to provide exemplary leadership for Nigerian women.
Oniju of IJu Odo, Oba Festus Olumoyegun in his own reaction while speaking with thepolity. net said while he was the Chairman of Ikale Local Government , Olori Abodi was a regular and steadfast counsellor who was always providing support for his government behind the scene. He said he would ever be grateful to the celebrant of the day for her concern for the growth of Ikaleland.
Women of substance and worth who are contributing immensely to the development of the society were also on ground and spoke with thepolity. Ondo State Secretary to The State Government (SSG) said Olori Abodi is a mother to all, a support to her husband , the Abodi and a leadership role model to the girl child and women in the state. ” I pray God to bless her with many more years in good health, ” Princess Oladunni Odu stressed.
The first female Regent in Ikaleland and the Regent of Ayeka kingdom, Princess Barr. Oluyemi Bajowa extolled the virtues of Olori Abodi , describing her as a mother and an achiever who is worthy of emulation. She said Olori is an iconic representative of the adorable traits women are expected to identify with .
Dr. Mrs Oyin Faduyile , a daughter-in-law while expressing her view about the high octane event said she is happy to identify with Olori Abodi, whom she said is a mother in a million. ” Olori Abodi is the vessel to bring forth one of my best gifts in life ( Prince Dokun Faduyile ). Ma, I say thank you for that .
” For christening me Oyinade and making me feel special over and over again, I say thank you!” Dr. Oyin Faduyile noted.
Prof. Dayo Faduyile in an exclusive chat with thepolity.net congratulated his mother for reaching the milestone age of 70. He said his mother is an embodiment of trust , love , truthfulness , courage and above all godliness. He noted that he is lucky to be sired by Olori Faduyile who will love you but will not pamper you , show you passion and nurse you with firm discipline. ” She loves not only her children but every child that has reason to come in contact with her.”
Dayo Faduyile expressed his appreciation to Ondo State Governor , Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu and his Deputy , Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa who stood in for the state Governor. He also expressed his gratitude to Ondo State SSG and all cabinet members who came to celebrate with Olori Abodi as well as all the prominent royal fathers and well wishers at the event.
