For Mr Ola John Olusegun, Saturday 15, 2025 will remain unforgettable. It was a day his lovely wife, Dr (Mrs) Olabisi Jumoke Ola and their beautiful children, Oyinkansola, Olamijuwon and Anjolaoluwa, celebrated the head of their home on the occasion of his 60th birthday.
It was, indeed, a day of thanksgiving and merriment as members of the extended families, friends, colleagues and workers gathered to give praises unto God for granting the celebrant the grace to witness 60 years on earth.
For the Olas, the proprietor and proprietress of the high-soaring Glorious Heritage Model School, Wire and Cable, Apata, Ibadan, there was a cause to celebrate, the celebrant having walked through the valley of shadow of death in the early months of 2024.
60 Years: A milestone of wisdom and gratitude
Reaching the age of 60 is a remarkable milestone, signifying a life filled with experiences, achievements and valuable lessons. It is a time to reflect on the journey so far, appreciate the present and embrace the future with renewed energy. 60th birthday is an opportunity to express gratitude, joy and hope for the years ahead.
In many cultures, turning 60 is the beginning of a new phase of life, often associated with wisdom, retirement and more time for personal pursuits. 60 marks an age of reflection, where one looks back at accomplishments, while embracing the freedom that comes with maturity.
Ola @ 60: Testimonies, tributes
Friends and family of the Olas made the day a special one for Mr Ola John with heartfelt messages, celebrating his person, his life and achievements.
The head of the family, Engineer Samuel Olayinka Ola, could not contain his joy, as his younger brother lives to witness the celebration of his life at 60. Engineer Ola recalled the three months of pains and trauma that the celebrant went through early 2024.
“I am happy that my younger brother is alive today to celebrate his 60th birthday anniversary. The first three months of 2024 was traumatic for the family. It was a period that my brother went through pains and agonies of sickness.
“However, we are grateful to God today for giving us joy and happiness, instead of sadness and mourning. We thank all those who were with us during the dark moments.
“I am particularly appreciative of our wife for being a very supportive woman. She was there through the thick and thin for her husband. May God continue to be with you and sustain the union to the very end,” he said.
Alhaji Kola Balogun, the in-law of Mr Ola, described the celebrant as a loving husband to his wife, a dotting father to his children and a dependable and loyal person to his friends and colleagues.
“John, you are such a very wonderful man. You are a dependable and reliable in-law. All who have come across your way are testifying to your good nature. Though your wife is our daughter, I would have given you one or two more wives, but your religion as Christian recommended only one man, one wife,” he jokingly said.
One elderly woman in the community also attested to the person of the celebrant. Simply called Mama Olalere, the woman said, “though I am older than Mr Ola John, I and some of us call him leader. This is because of his leadership traits. He is generous and very caring. He would not want anyone who comes across his way to suffer.”
Mr Adeyinka L. A., a colleague of the celebrant at the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), now Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), described Mr Ola as aríjẹ má gbàgbé ọ̀rẹ́ (literally meaning somebody who eats without forgetting his friend). According to the colleague, who is popularly known as Man of God, the life of the celebrant is a testimony to loving, caring and free-giving.
Dr Rotimi Ige, an older friend of the celebrant, echoed Mr Adeyinka as he said: “He is truly aríjẹ má gbàgbé ọ̀rẹ́. He is a cheerful giver who will not allow anybody around him to suffer. Mr Ola will always do everything possible within his means to reach out to the need. My prayer is that God will grant him many more years on earth and in good health.”
For the chief-celebrant and organiser of the surprise birthday party, Dr (Mrs) Olabisi Ola, the event was an auspicious occasion to attest to the goodness of God and give thanks to Him for His enduring mercies and grace over her husband. She recalled the period when her husband was confined to the bed at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan for more than three months, noting that it was, indeed, a moment of trial and testing of her faith and believe in God.
“The sickness started just like a joke, but before we knew it, my husband was in the hospital for three months. It was a tasking period but my faith in God remained unshaken. Though it looked like all hope was lost but I knew that God will never forsake me or allow my husband to die just like that. I firmly believe that he will return home, alive.
“I conceived this idea of this birthday party in less than two weeks to surprise my dear husband because he truly deserved it. He is very hard-working and he has given much to sustain his family. Nothing is too much to appreciate him for what he has been doing and also to glory God.
“My dear husband is a loving husband and a dotting father. I cannot pray to find a better husband. He is my partner who honours and pampers me. He is also a dotting father. But he will not spare the rod, literally, to call me back to order, if and whenever the need arises. Above all, his love for our children is worth being celebrated.
“I want to appreciate my in-laws for their support and my own family for being there for me, both morally and financially. My mother particularly had to cut short her travel to come and stay with the children while I was with my husband at the hospital. You can just imagine how I would have been able to cope, running the home from the hospital.
“I also want to thank the staff of Heritage Model School for their support and loyalty. I appreciate them all for being very supportive, especially while I was attending to my husband in the hospital. They didn’t allow me to feel like I was not there, while I was away,” she said.
For Oyinkansola, her father is the best daddy in the world. She thanked him for his love for the family, his endless and untiring dedication to the well-being of the children, their daily provisions, food and education. “Daddy, you are the best. I wish you many happy returns of the day. Long life and prosperity,” she said.
Embracing the future
Turning 60 is not just about looking back. It is also about looking forward to many more years of healthy and joyful conjugal bliss in a family cemented by love. Dr (Mrs) Ola prayed that her husband will live to celebrate many more years, in good health, happiness, joy and all-round fulfilments.
Indeed, 60th birthday is a celebration of resilience, growth and love shared over the years. The birthday event in honour of Mr Ola John is a celebration of 60 years of life and many adventures still ahead.
