It was a fusion of both cosmopolitan and core tradition when the Group Managing Director of Sahara Power Group, board Chairman of Ikeja Electric, and Chairman AXA Mansard Insurance Plc, Dr Kola Adesina MFR FNSE, commemorated his diamond jubilee, it was truly a milestone worth celebrating.
This latest sexagenarian of Abeokuta extraction in Ogun State was born on August 12, 1964. Interestingly, his life’s trajectory has continued to give an inspiration to the younger generation that with a vision driven by integrity, hard work, fear of God, commitment and zest, every dream is achievable.The two-day carnival like 60th birthday will however remain indelible in the minds of many Nigerians, as one of the birthdays of the year. From the resplendent event centre (Harbour Point), to entertainment of guests and the roll call of dignitaries that graced the event, it was a world-class birthday ceremony.
To kick start the birthday was a thanksgiving church service which held at the RCCG The New House Parish in Victoria Island, Lagos on Sunday, August 11, 2024, put together by the celebrant and his adorable wife, Mosunmola and the children Oluwatimilehn, Oluwagbemisoke and Oluwafamimora.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR who couldn’t make it to the occasion physically, due to other national assignments however sent his goodwill message and this was widely publicized in the traditional and mainstream media.
The thanksgiving saw the prestigious presence of the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his Ogun State counterpart, His Excellency Dapo Abiodun, former President of Nigeria Goodluck Jonathan, former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, former President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Bai Koroma, former Governor of Ekiti State Dr Kayode Fayemi, as well as representative of the President of Congo.
Other dignitaries present were, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Sahara Group, Pastor Tonye Cole, Olusegun Awolowo Secretary, National Action Committee on the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), former Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs; Chairman/ CEO, Presidential Amnesty Programme, Timi Alaibe, Chief Executive Officer of Geregu Power Plc, Akin Akinfemiwa, Intercontinental Evangelist of the RCCG, Pastor J.T Kalejaiye, Pastor Gbenga Tapere (Pastor in charge of The New House Parish), Senior Pastor and founder of Covenant Christian Centre, Pastor Poju Oyemade.
This followed a mega reception on the second day, Monday, August 12, 2024. Friends and family were treated to a sumptuous banquet which all took place at the Harbour Point, in Victoria Island where the crème-de-la-crème in the society literally qued up to attend. From former Presidents, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan (he graced the day-two event), to former Governors of Ogun State Chief Segun Osoba, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, former Governor of Delta State, James Ibori, former Governor of Ekiti Otunba Niyi Adebayo, Dimeji Edward, Shola Adeyegbe, captains of industries, traditional rulers and dignitaries from all walks of life was a talk of the town.
The star-studded birthday banquet was equally attended by the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, Minister of Power Adebayo Adelabu, Governor of CBN Yemi Cardoso, President of AfDB Dr Akinwunmi Adesina, President of Dangote Group Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Nigerian businessman, Tony Elumelu, president of Adeleke University, Adedeji Adeleke (Davido’s father), former minister of information Dr Frank Nweke Jnr, MD of Ikeja Electric Folake Soetan, former National Legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Babatunde Ogala (SAN), Chief Bisi Olatilo, Chief Dele Momodu, former minister of state for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, former director of communication of AFDB group Dr Victor Oladokun Nigerian media mogul Mo Abudu.
Also on the roll call were famous gospel and secular artists, Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Ade, Afropop artist Davido, Timi Dakolo, Teni, Patoranking Dare Art Alade, Moses Bliss, Tosin Bee, etc. At the church programme also were media personality and publisher of Veracity Dest online news platform (veracitydesk.com.ng), Emmanuel Ajibulu, his wife Jumoke, captains of industry, as well as a Nigerian stand-up comedian and singer, Kenny Blaq amongst others.
The Chief host of the occasion, Dr Kola Adesina, in his goodwill message, expressed heartfelt appreciation for the presence of the dignitaries and thanked them for their collective commitment towards the growth of the nation and his success story. He equally articulated his appreciation to what God has done in his life in the last 6 decades.