It was a celebration of longevity and fruitful life as Nigeria’s Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and his siblings, and family held a thanksgiving service on Thursday in Lagos to mark the 90th birthday anniversary of their mother, Mrs Olubisi Osinbajo.
The Osinbajos were joined at the Cathedral Church of St. Jude, Ebute Meta, by top government officials, political office holders and industrialists to honour their mother, who was born on the 16th of February, 1933.
President Muhammadu Buhari had in a message released by the Presidency thanked the Matriarch of the Osinbajo family for giving Nigeria an illustrious son like Prof. Osinbajo and his siblings.
“On behalf of myself, my family, and Nigerians, we rejoice with Mama and wish her continued grace and joy in the Lord, all the days of her life. Amen.
“I am particularly pleased that the matriarch of the Osinbajo Family had thought it worthy to establish the Olubisi Osinbajo Foundation, which caters for the well-being of widows and families of clergymen. It is an initiative I recommend to other endowed people in our society, as it has lofty rewards not only here, but also in the hereafter.
“Thank you Mama for giving Nigeria the gift of your son and our Vice President, Professor ‘Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, and his other illustrious siblings,” the president wrote in his message.
In his tribute, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo described his mother as exceptional in many respects, pointing out four things he learnt from her.
According to him, “four things I learnt from Mama. First, is her integrity, simply telling the truth always.
“She simply did not tolerate lying, even seemingly white or innocuous lies. She also had a problem with excessive display of wealth, she felt it reflected poor breeding.
“Second is her insistence on proper behaviour, politeness and respect for elders. Third is how she had always believed I would be a lawyer. She always resisted every attempt to distract me. The fourth is her service to the gospel and her prayerfulness.”
In his sermon at the service, the Bishop of Lagos Mainland Diocese, Rt. Revd. Akinpelu Johnson recalled Mrs Osinbajo and her family’s early days at St Jude’s Cathedral and particularly her devotion to the service of God.
He emphasized the significance of thanksgiving and obedience to the will of God, noting that a birthday celebration is “an opportunity to take stock of one’s life.”
While praying for Mama, Bishop Johnson declared that even at 90, God will continue to work wonders in her because of her devotion to his work and obedience to his will.
The clergy also emphasized the need for obedience and steadfastness among Nigerians, noting that the bane of development in many societies is the lack of the fear of God and the will to do God’s command or established laws governing those societies.
The General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye who also ministered at the service, prayed for the celebrant, thanked God for her life and asked for God’s blessings on her and everyone at the service.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiala; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr Boss Mustapha; Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwolu; and Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun attended the service.
Among others who attended the service were the President of the African Development Bank, Dr Akinwumi Adesina; industrialist, Aliko Dangote; and businessman, Femi Otedola.
Emmanuel Ukoh
