Happy 68th Birthday to My Father; Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile. – Albert Einstein
It is with great joy that I felicitate and celebrate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on his exemplary and grandbreaking 68th years of life experience. My heartfelt wishes for him on this auspicious day is a many more prosperous and productive life.
While, I congratulate Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu for this feat achieved thus far in all facets, I equally want to use this opportunity to pay a tribute to my ever loving father.
Of all the sixty-eight years spent so far, I can consciously account for over forty years of it.
I grew up to know Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a very passionate individual whose quest for greatness is second to none. Some of his hallowed qualities are; Dutiful, Decency, Reliability, Resilience, Dignity, Respect, Democracy and an ideal of shared humanity. Asiwaju held all of these qualities not only in high esteem, but take it as a daily practise on earth.
Beyond his political clots, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a son to Late Alhaja Habibatu Mogaji ( a loving mother to all). He is a father to many, a grandfather and a great grand father to the Tinubu Dynasty.
While I was growing up, I remember watching my father going against all odds to make family and friends happy. He loves building bonds and sustaining relationship. He believe every points of contact is a point of connection. He believe the essence of living is to do good to humanity. Just like Alhaja Habibatu Mogaji, he cherished the people around him and love making them happy. Which consequently has greatly influence his ability to build concensus.
Asiwaju despite always on the run, has never been too busy to share his love with those around him. Dad could never resist the opportunity to share memorable times with friends and loved ones. He is a genuinely optimistic man. And that optimism guided his children and made each of us believe that anything is possible. In victory, he shared credit. When he lost, he shouldered the blame. He accepted that failure is part of living a full life, but taught us never to be defined by failure. He showed us how setbacks can strengthen a person and make us greater.
With Asiwaju one must not but learn what it means to be a wonderful father, grandfather, and great grand-father. He is firm in his principles and supportive always. As we began to seek our own ways, he encouraged and comforted us but never steered. We tested his patience – I know I did – but he always responded with the great gift of unconditional love.
To me, Dad’s finest quality was his patience: an inherent ability to listen, to absorb and to offer a point of view based on quiet, measured wisdom. My emulation of his Praxis on dispute resolution has grown my survival as the Iyaloja General of the Federation. His experience chalked up in the cloistered corporate world before he made a brave leap into arid terra firma of politics.
His interest in politics as a democrat is to complete the revolutionary task left by Chief Obafemi Awolowo; to unite Nigeria and set her path as a progressive social welfare state.
He has undying interest to see Nigeria emerge as a Great Nation and he is committed to achieving this.
On this quintessential day of yours, I wish you all the very best in life Papa.
PAPA!!! YOU ARE MY PRIDE
Folashade Tinubu Ojo
Iya Oloja General
Federal Republic of Nigeria