Events
Esther Ajayi Foundation Berths in Ghana: To Whom Much is Given
By Otunba Abiodun Olufowobi
“The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit.” – Nelson Henderson
THE ESTHER AJAYI FOUNDATION GHANA was launched at the prestigious Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra on 10 March 2018.
First off, on 9 March 2018, a team from the Esther Ajayi Foundation (EAF) was at the Royal Seed Orphanage Home, in Ofankor, Central Region of Ghana, to share materials which would help the inmates cope with the misery fate has visited upon their young lives.
Reverend Mother Esther Ajayi with Chief Dele Momodu
For those who were not at the ceremony, a glimpse of these children’s brutish existence came to the fore, the next day, 10 March 2018 as EAF formally berthed in Ghana, at the auditorium of the Mövenpick Ambassador Hotel Accra; when a documentary on the orphanage was shown. Only a few in the packed hall could have held their tears seeing the children cringing upon themselves during a rainfall: the roof of their room could just have been non-existent.
Reverend Mother Ajayi at the Seed Orphanage Home
Showing the documentary, it would seem, was to pinch the dignitaries who came from around the world to honour God and His tool, Rev Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, who is steadily becoming the Mother Teresa of this generation, that while enjoying the cozy evening, a thought should be spared for the less privileged such as the children of Royal Seed Home.
Showing gratitude to the orphans at the Home
The first speaker of the night was Mr. James Ebo Whyte an accomplished writer and a leading motivational speaker in Ghana. Whyte narrated how a thoughtful intervention of his secondary school teacher in 1968 changed his story from being a motor mechanic in Ghana to the celebrated Mediapreneur that he is today. He said he has also caught the bug of giving and that, today, he remained a blessing to so many others – in appreciation to what God has made of his life.
Mr. Abiodun Paseda with a guest
Next was Mrs. Gifty Anti, a journalist and broadcaster who also narrated how she benefited from the benevolence of people in her community while going to school in the face of paucity of funds. She has held on to the joy she derived from the blessings and has also dedicated her life to giving and blessing of others.
A line-up of dignitaries at the event
Then came, Reverend Father Andrew Campbell, who arrived Ghana in 1971 as a young Catholic Church priest. He said he found out about the despicable ways the people ostracized lepers and how the people wrongly believed leprosy was contagious. He founded the Leper Aid Committee and remained a veritable blessing to the leper community of Ghana ever since.
It was the turn of the American Pastor George G. Bloomer of the Durham, NC based G.G. Bloomer Ministries and Come Let Us Reason Together (C.L.U.R.T.) International Assemblies. Pastor Bloomer attributed his spiritual height to divine grace which brought him up from the project home environment to the prison and out and eventually becoming a man of God. He extolled the virtue of giving and being a blessing to the less privileged.
Mr. Ade Adebajo and another guest
The priest used the analogy of Satan whom he said does not give without conditions but the man of God said it is divine to give freely without strings attached. He said one of the persons he knows who give without strings attached or expected – one who plant trees under which she does not expect to seek shade – is Rev. Mother Ajayi.
This was a perfect cue-in for the spiritual amazon and the prime mover of the EAF to mount the stage. The Iya Adura, as she is fondly called, made a grand entrance to a praise song accompanied by Bolaji Olarenwaju. Iya Adura Ajayi exudes confidence, focus and integrity. She was joined on the stage by her husband, Pastor Ademuyiwa Ajayi and the Ovation International boss, Bashorun Dele Momodu, who was instrumental to EAF coming to berth in Ghana.
Iya Adura praised God for the journey so far, which she traced the story from the secondary school where she met her husband (Pastor Ademuyiwa Ajayi whom Iya Adura fondly called Buroda Muyiwa) to the marital blessings of four biological children and an adopted daughter; how the family relocated to the UK from Nigeria and how the husband who was the breadwinner fell ill and the family finances plummeted resulting in the loss of their London tenancy. Out in the street and seeking help until God intervened and reversed the family into abundance and glory. She insisted that the path to her charitable disposition and benevolence was the only reasonable course for her given the benevolence and grace with which God turned her sorrows into laughter. She extolled the spirit of giving and declared that having established her uncommon charity in the UK, USA, Israel and other nations, it was the turn of Ghana to receive from God’s abundance.
Reverend Mother Ajayi with dignitaries
Several gospel musical act entertained the audience and sumptuous dinner was served. Guests were also presented with copies of the specially branded Holy Bible and other EAF – branded souvenirs
The thought-provoking evening was winded up with presentation of sundry gifts by EAF partners to the Iya Adura in appreciation of her seamless charity around the world. It was more significant when the proprietor of Royal Seed Home climbed up the podium and presented to Iya Adura a token certification of appreciation on behalf of the orphanage.
Chief Dele Momodu (r)
Won’t you too be a partner? To give a little from your abundance to charity. In cash or, and, kind – time, service and support. Planting trees under whose shade we may not sit. Let’s all join the Iya Adura and the EAF in making the less-privileged share in our abundance.
At the dinner table
Otunba Abiodun Olufowobi (Pabiekun) is a lawyer and avid blogger.
aisoaba@yahoo.com
By Eric Elezuo
The historic city of Ile-Ife, the domain of the influential Ooni, in Osun State, came very alive during the week, as the energetic Senator representing Osun Central in the National Assembly, Olubiyi Fadeyi Ajangunla, and his wife, Erelu Olajumoke Fadeyi, were installed as the AJAGUNLA OODUA TI ILE YORUBA and ERELU AJAGUNLA OODUA OF THE SOURCE by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, at the Palace Ile-Ife.
The event reflects crowning the Ajangunla, who signifies great warrior, and protector of the entire Yoruba race; guarding and shielding the residents against external aggression. That’s the office Senator Fadeyi and his wife, Erelu Olajumoke, have ascended among the Yoruba people.
Classy and debonair, Senator Fadeyi and wife chose to make the days of the coronation one to remember, and give guests and dignitaries, who came from far and near the pampering required of a such a occasion.
The events began with a solid get together soiree, organised and held at the Harvard Hotel, where early callers were treated to good music, classy dishes and splendid entertainment, providing avenues for rewarding networking.
Attending to grateful guests, Senator Fadeyi, dressed in all white kaftan, and the Erelu in a free green and red round neck sleeveless gown, were full of smiles, acknowledging the presence of all and sundry.
With a live band dishing out evergreen music to the joy of the guests, and splendid dishes and beverages making sporadic and ceaseless rounds on the table, the evening proved to be an acceptable progenitor to the anticipated main billed for the next day.
Of course, the next day lived up to its billing with more guests storming the historic ancient city in what appeared to be everyone on white affair.
The entrance of the celebrants was a testament in elegance as traditional Palace staff, in their white loins and leopard skin, formed a two-line squad through which the Ajangunla and his wife, made their revered entry accompanied by close family members, friends and associates. The entry was followed by the loud and impressive appearance of the Ooni of Ife, signaling the beginning of the coronation ceremony.
The installation was brief, but highly monumental, bestowing the great warrior status on the couple, giving them prominence and influence, not only in Ile-Ife, but the entire Yorubaland.
With the who’s who in Yorubaland in attendance, the goodwill messages began to flow, acknowledging the Ooni first as a primus interperes, who has reign over the kingdom in 10 fruitful years, and the newly crowned couple for their steadfast contributions to the uplifting of the society, with special mention of their immediate locality, Ile-Ife and Osun State.
It was therefore, with pride that the couple took their first sacred steps as the Ajangunla Oodua and Erelu Ajangunla Oodua in preparation to begin an gracious duty of standing for the Yoruba race at all times.
Thereafter, the mother of all reception was held at an outdoor ground of the Obafemi Awolowo University with the best of music, from the evergreen voices of Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, and Yinka Ayefele, just a-list dishes, beverages and accurate networking flowed freely on the night.
Among very important personalities that graced the event with their presence were the Deji Of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi; the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin; the Alara of Ilara, Oba Folarin Ogunsanwo; the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Osun State Council of Obas, Firstlady of Ondo State Lady Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, Princess Toyin Kolade, Mr Kayode Kolade, Chief Alex Duduyemi and a host of there.
PRESIDENT TINUBU GREETS AJAGUNLA ON CORONATION
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu warmly congratulates Senator Olubiyi Oluwole Fadeyi, Senator representing Osun Central Senatorial District, on his prestigious conferment as the “Ajagunnla-Oodua Ti Ile Yoruba” by the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.
President Tinubu describes the honour as well-deserved in recognition of Senator Fadeyi’s distinguished service to the advancement of his community, the Yoruba nation, and Nigeria as a whole.
The President notes that the Ajagunnla-Oodua title carries profound cultural significance within the Yoruba traditional institution and reflects the Ooni’s confidence in Senator Fadeyi’s character, contributions, and devotion to the values of unity, peace building, and development.
“Senator Fadeyi has shown exemplary dedication to public service and the upliftment of his people. This honour from the Ooni of Ife is not only a personal milestone but also a national celebration of excellence, integrity, and cultural heritage,” the President says.
President Tinubu commends the Ooni of Ife for continuing to uphold the revered Yoruba traditions by recognising individuals who embody leadership, compassion, and communal responsibility.
He prays that the new Ajagunnla-Oodua will be strengthened with greater wisdom and renewed commitment as he undertakes his latest responsibility.
The Leezeet Tender Heart Foundation, in partnership with Divine Care Hub, has held an inspiring Elderly Community Outreach Programme in Ikorodu.
Led by the founder, Mrs. Elizabeth Adegbite, the event celebrated and supported senior citizens, widows, and orphans, highlighting the importance of mental, physical, and social well-being for older adults.
The programme, themed “Promoting Economic Empowerment & Mental Wellness Among Older Adults,” included prayers, praise and worship, gentle exercises, massage therapy, nutrition talks, and economic empowerment sessions. Ms. Abimbola Shaba shared tips on Affordable Nutrition and Healthy Living for the Elderly, while Mrs. Adigun and Ms. Loveth highlighted social welfare and economic opportunities.
Creative moments included a heartfelt poem by Mrs. Grace Oni and a colorful senior fashion parade coordinated by Mrs. Oladehinde, reminding everyone that style has no age limit. The event was beautifully anchored by MC Mrs. Adebo and concluded with a vote of thanks by Mr. Fabunmi.
Mrs. Adegbite called on the Ikorodu community, NGOs, and individuals to step up interventions for the elderly, stressing that together, communities can ensure dignity, care, and hope for all seniors.
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