By Adeyinka Adeniran
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Monday extolled the virtues of a former Military Administrator of the old Oyo and Ogun states Major General Oladayo Popoola for being instrumental to the state government’s vision of securing the sole ownership of Ladoke Akintola University (LAUTECH) of Technology.
Makinde made the remarks at the 80th birthday Church service of the retired military General which held at Vine Branch Church, Ibadan.
Aside from been a part of the team that led the negotiation to claim LAUTECH, the governor also said the former Milad was very helpful when the state was having some issues with Soun, adding that he had received quality advises on different occasions from the celebrant.
He added that history would not forget General Popoola’s uncompromising stance towards gaining the ownership of the institution of learning for Oyo State.
The governor hailed the former governor for his immense contributions to the advancement of knowledge, technological and socioeconomic development of the state, especially in the education sector.
Extolling Popoola’s rare virtues, Makinde said that the octogenarian’s words of advice and encouragement were helpful, even as he admonished his children to sustain the good name and legacy of their father.
Makinde said: “I will, on behalf of the good people of Oyo State, wish you a happy 80th birthday and many happy returns in good health and abundance of grace. Even the Bible promised us 70. General was governor when he was 40 years old. Now, he has doubled that age. I became governor at the age of 51 and I am expecting that I will get to 102.
“I also want to say that you are a very rare personality. You invited me twice to your residence and gave me quality advice. You did not ask me for anything personal and when we were having challenges with the issue of Soun of Ogbomoso and LAUTECH ownership, you came out boldly to make your position known.
“You fought gallantly and you and the team brought back LAUTECH to Oyo State. This is an opportunity for me to openly say thank you. May your years be long.
“As for the children and grandchildren, you have a name that must be cherished and that you can be proud of anywhere in the world.”
Also, the National President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, Bishop Francis Wale-Oke, recounted his first encounter with Popoola in 1984, adding that his humility was striking.
He said the celebrant had been a blessing to his generation, noting his contribution to the takeoff and the survival of Precious Cornerstone University for the past six year ensuring it was debt free.
“He was a man who fears God and believed in prayers, no wonder God has given him grace to achieve so much,” Wale-Oke said.
In his sermon titled “Grace: Lessons and Response”, the Senior Pastor, Vine Branch Church, Pastor Dotun Ajayi urged everyone to make their lives count.
He said the celebrant had every reason to be thankful at 80 in a country where life expectancy was 47 for males and 52 for females.
He noted that retired military General had made his mark having retired from active service in the military and positions he occupied without scandal.
The cleric alluded to the celebrant’s humility and simplicity adding that he was very accommodating.
Ajayi however charged the celebrant to strengthen his relationship with God going forward, build legacies and use his God given access to further benefit humanity.
He urged every Nigerian to do their part to ensure they were part of the solutions to the problem of the nation.
In his response, the celebrant, appreciated God for attaining the age of 80.
He recounted some life experiences that he had and how God singled him out for the various positions he had held.
“I look back and I still continue to say it is God’s grace in my life. I learnt a lot from the military and I thank Almighty God for making possible for me to attain this heights in life,” the celebrant said.
While appreciating the governor, General Popoola said posterity would judge Governor Makinde rightly, as he has done well for the state and that was why he was reelected by residents of the state.
Corenews reports that Popoola served as the military governor of the old Oyo State between January 1984 and August 1985, during the regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd).
The governor later presented a Toyota Land Cruiser SUV to the former Military Governor at a birthday reception held at the Civic Centre, Ibadan.
The birthday thanksgiving event had in attendance the Ogun State governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who was represented by his deputy governor, Engr. Naimot Salako; Deputy Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Mohammed Fadeyi; Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo; Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi and other government functionaries.
