Celebrating Maye @64
It was
indeed another start of the year birthday celebration of the Chancellor and
Founder of Oduduwa University, His Royal Eminence, Dr Abdulrahman Adegoke
Atobatele Adedoyin, the Maye of Yorubaland to usher in 2021 with the
celebration of his 64th birthday in grand style.
The
celebration began with prayers offered by Pastors for the celebrant and his
family at The Chapel Of Blessings Evangelical Ministries International at his
Royal Castle of Peace residence, Eleyele , Ile ife in appreciation of the
faithfulness of God in his life, businesses
and family.
Prayers
were also offered by Alfas and Imams for Dr Adedoyin at Maye’s mosque, also
inside his residence, was coordinated by Sheik Al Muhammad Ibn Yaya, Chief Imam
of The Polytechnic, Ile-Ife and Alhaji Adebayo, the Chief Imam of Oduduwa
University, with Professor Muib Opeloye
who quoted verses from the Holy Quran to pray for the celebrant and his
entire family.
Dr
Adedoyin, who could best be described as Nigeria’s foremost educationist,
philantropist, trend setter, business guru and the voice of the voiceless. A
man passionate about philantropy and giving helping hand to the needy, using
this year’s event, as always, to give back and spread joy by putting smiles on
the faces of the sick and the aged.
As his
custom and usual way of celebrating his birthday, the celebration progressed
seemlessly without any hitch to Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital,
Ile-Ife (OAUTHC) and Nigeria Prisons, Koseere, also in the suburb of Ile-Ife
where he gave out cash donations to off-set medical bills of in-patient for
their various treatments and cash donations for prison inmates respectively. He
also visited Elderly homes, widows etc
Many aged
citizens in large numbers, who had earlier thronged the premises of Oduduwa University Engineering Campus,
Mayfair were also not left out, as they smiled home with cash donations and
gifts.
The climax
of this 64th birthday celebration hit a higher ground as the reception moved to
Hilton Hotel, Royal ,Mayfair Ile-Ife where dignitaries were entertained.
With the
opening prayers offered by Bishop Omotoye of The United Church of Cherubim and
Seraphim Worldwide (UCC&S) Ife Diocese, it was thereafter, testimony galore
for the goodness of God in the life of Dr Adedoyin as given by Primate Adereti
of UCC&S, Alhaji (Prince) Rilwan Adedoyin, the celebrant’s son and
Professor Victor Adetiloye, Chief Medical Director OAUTHC.
The icing
on the cake at the reception was the presentation of awards to His Royal
Eminence, Dr Adedoyin, with the conferment of “Hero of Our Time And Ambassador
of Youths”, as well as the official decoration/Investiture as Grand Patron by
Western Youths Development Forum.
The
International Institute For Leadership Studies And Project Management also
awarded him “Lifetime Millenium Achievement Award In Community Service,
Philantropy And Education Development.
This
particular award, according to the Institute, is premised on Dr Adedoyin’s sole
effort as the first and only Nigerian that has five tertiary institutions viz
Oduduwa University, Ipetumodu,Nigeria, Our Saviors University , Virginia USA,
Unique Citizens University College, Accra, Ghana.The Polytechnic, ile ife,
Nigeria, Oduduwa Polytechnic , Idimu, Lagos have achieved so much in the field
of of educational development, by establishing higher Institutions across USA,
West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana.
The profile
and citation of the achievements of celebrant was read by Olufemi Mebude of
Mass Communication Department, Oduduwa University, who was also the Master of Ceremony.
Ajisafe Akewi also gave an Ewi rendition to honour the celebrant, with
melodious songs from the duo of Alade Jesu and Tecno-Rocky at the bandstand.
Dr Adedoyin
and his wife, Chief (Mrs) Iyabo Oluwafunmilayo Adedoyin, Yeye-Maye of
Yorubaland were joined by his closest and dearest family members, who were full
of cheers throughout the occasion, to cut the birthday cake.
Present at
the celebration to rejoice with the Maye of Yorubaland were his children,
Princess (Dr) Adeline Adeyemi, Princess (Dr) Adewunmi Adedoyin, Princess
Deyosola Olayinka, Alhaji (Prince) Rilwan Adedoyin, Prince Raheem Adelani
Adedoyin; as well as their spouses, Mr Kayode Adeyemi and Mr Kenny Olayinka
(Kenny Peters).
Other
dignitaries are Sooko Adeyoju Aratunde, Sooko (Dr) Kemade Elugbaju, Hon.
Justice S.A Oke, Professor Benjamin Aribisala,Vice Chancellor of Oduduwa
University, Professor Victor Adetiloye, Chief Medical Director, Obafemi Awolowo
University Teaching Hospital's Complex, Professor MKO Alimi, Deputy Vice
Chancellor, Mr Dotun Awoyemi, former Registrar, Obafemi Awolowo University,Dr
Isaac Adeyinka Chief Medical Director, Alafiatayo Adeyinka Medical , Center,
Ile ife and Comrade (Dr) B.O Ifonedo. Senior Special Assistant to the Founder
of Oduduwa University.
Also in
attendance were Most (Rev) Dr Ebenezer Durojaye Adereti, Overseer Anthony
Olayinka Jesutowo, Rt Rev Omotoye, United Cherubim Church of God Pastor
Ijaodola (ANCOPSS President, Osun State Chapter), Mr and Mrs Ade Alayo, Chief
Gbadeyanka Muftau Adewale (Mogaji Ibadanland), Comrade Oyedele, Pastor Alake,
Pastor Babatunde Omotayo, all members of Maye in Council and many more.
The vote of
thanks was offered by the celebrants daughter and Registrar Oduduwa University,
Princess (Dr) Adeline Adeyemi, while the event was brought to an end with
closing prayers from Prophet (Dr) Tosin Odeyemi.
