By Eric Elezuo
Some call him highly philosophical, some call him the entrepreneur with a difference while a lot of others refer to him as the czar of real estate. But one thing is certain, the splendid octogenarian, Aare Kola Oyefeso, the Aare Gbo Gbo Gbo of Remoland, is many things combined in one package.
His trajectory in the world of business, social impact and human relations culminated in the show of class that was exhibited at the prestigious Harbour Point Event Centre, where the who’s who in the industrialisation, real estate and general merchandise gathered to celebrate his entry into the world of the octogenarians. It was his 80th birthday.
A writer of no mean repute, Aare Oyefeso was born on July 7, 1944, and has remained instrumental to the development of the nation and economic growth of various sectors, with special emphasised to his primary field of realtor.
He is the president of KOKTO Group and the Balogun of Ode Remo, in his native Ogun State, Aare Oyefeso is a social figure of note, who has held the presidential position of the influential Lagos County Club, leaving behind a trail of development, administrative stability and extreme welfare measures for members and sympathizers of the club. He is presently a member of the Board of Trustees of the Club, contributing quota after quota to its general wellbeing.
He has often and on been celebrated for a leadership characteristics that has been second to none as well as for unwavering dedication and commitment to building human and physical structures that can stand the test of time, and lending long helping hand in the area of philanthropy, generosity and excellence.
Apart from various work of philanthropy and helping in building the entrepreneurial fabrics of the Nigerian economy, Aare Oyefeso is an ardent writer, and is credited with many books, journals and articles including Unraveling the Puzzles of Earthly Life, which is in four parts, The Musing of a Quester, which he said is to “wake us to our chief mission in this world: to call a spade by its appropriate name by reminding us, we are not in the world to climb a social tree or to merely eat, drink, procreate, then die and be cremated, or lowered into the soil for all manners of maggots and insects to feast on our lifeless bodies.
“In effect, this book would make sense only to those who are brazen, or dissatisfied with the shadow show of the labyrinth world,” he announced.
Oyefeso has dedicated his life to discussing the transient nature of life, and the need to prepare for whatever the afterlife holds.
In one of his writings, he stated that “First and foremost as a mystic, I must remind us of the inevitability of death. It is designed by the Creator Himself as a relief for the soul when our body has become enervated by disease, old age, accident or other mishaps that have made the soul conducive to inhabit the physical body any longer.
“This happens when our allotted time is over in this world. The individual time varies and it is determined by the Creator Himself according to the karma and purpose that brought us into the world in the first instance.”
Looking trim, smart and alert at 80, Aare Oyefeso was treated to love from all and sundry, and he confirmed his happiness amo g friends and well wishers with classic displays of dance steps, friendly banners and enjoyment of good food and beverages. It is worth noting that Aare Oyefeso is not in the habit of taking alcohol. In an interview he granted seven years, he noted that he quit alcohol over 27 years then, which in essence means he left some 34 years old.
Aare Oyefeso is married, and blessed with children, who are presentstanding on their own, and replicating a legacy of improved living, love for one another and dedication to the course of living a good and impactful life while still here on earth.
From all of us, we wish the Balogun of Ode Remo a happy birthday, and many more years on planet earth.
