‘You Stood By Me, Believed In My Struggles, Makinde Lauds Pastor Ajagbe Adeniji On 100th Birthday
•By Oyeniyi Awojoodu
IBADAN – The Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde has lauded Pastor Johnson Ajagbe Adeniji for his unflinching support and fatherly roles played when needed most in his days of struggles to become the governor of the state in the year 2018.
Governor Makinde speaking on Sunday at the International Conference Center University of Ibadan, Ibadan the Capital City of Oyo State at the centenary birthday reception in honor of Pastor Johnson Ajagbe Adeniji, described the centenarian as someone who believed so much in his struggles when nobody does.
Makinde in words said, “I thank God for today because when we started, it was as if today will not come, but here we are Baba Adeniji is 100, what can we say unto the Lord, all we have to say is thank you Lord.
“I will like to share one or two testimonies, in the year 2018 when nobody or very few people believe that there is a project called Seyi Makinde for Governor in Oyo state, Baba believed, those of you doubting can go and check it on the Internet, I can also share some pictures with you if you want.
“When I was giving out scholarship to some beneficiaries in 2018 Baba was among the elders of Ibadan that attended the program, he stood by me.”
Baba, the job that you did then gave us this privilege, not only we won the election, we also won the second term and we are now in the midway of that second tenure.
“There are some of my friends here that I will not mention their names, when I was putting the policy document together, and I needed data and because the way governance is in this part of the world, data is very hard to come by, they were providing those data and we used to meet at Baba’s house in Renaissance
for series of our meetings, that was 2018 and Baba was like 92, 93 years of age then, and because Baba lives in upstairs he will offered to see me off into my car, he used to tell me then that he was using that to exercise his body.
“Baba I can only thank God for your life and thank you for the support for me, and also for series of advises that you’ve given me based on your experience, God said He will have mercy unto those He chooses to, our prayer is that may God grant you more years and we would keep praying that you break the Guinness Book of Record as the oldest living Man on earth, because at hundred you’re completely switched on, some in their 90s will require people to be feeding them, it’s no so in Baba’s case.
“All I want to say again is thank you for coming to celebrate with our father, Baba Pastor Adewuyi Adeniji and for those of you that need prayer and advise for longevity Baba will be available to give you those prayers and advise on longevity just go and see him after this event.” Makinde said.
The Celebrant, Pastor Johnson Ajagbe Adeniji in his words appreciated all the dignitaries and guests that honored him.
In his remarks, His Royal Majesty, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Dr. Adedokun Adeniyi described the celebrant as a very intelligent, kind hearted man, he narrated how he contributed positively to his ascension the throne of his forefathers.
The event which was chaired by Dr. Deji Adeleke, also had in attendance the representative of the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Ooni Ogunwusi Enitan, Soun of Ogbomoso Oba Ghandi Afolabi, top government officials among others.