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A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Ayo Afolabi, celebrated his 70th birthday on Monday. The celebration was held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, where governors, senators, political leaders, friends and associates took turns to shower encomiums on the “birthday boy” who happens to be the party’s Director of Publicity in the Southwest.
Governors Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State were at the event. Their Ogun and Osun states counterparts were represented by Deputy Governor, Chief Mrs Yetunde Onanuga and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alh. Moshood Adeoti, respectively.
Ajimobi described Afolabi as a lucky man who epitomizes progressivism politically and seamlessness socially. The governor pointed out that Afolabi is so accommodating and very humble, stressing that he is an exemplary man.
As a strong member of the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), Ajimobi said Afolabi, like his other colleagues in the group, is a committed progressive who is godly.
Akeredolu, in his own remarks, expressed gratitude to the celebrator for his consistence in progressive politics, saying he never left the fold of the progressives for once.
He commended him for his contributions to progressive politics and activism in Nigeria and advised him to slow down, now that he is 70 years old.
In the words of Minister of Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, the only way to summarize Afolabi’s personality is simply to describe him as a good person. Fayemi said no one who had the opportunity to work with him can deny that, adding that he is a beneficiary of Afolabi’s goodness.
He further described him as a life-long leader of the party, a mentor, teacher and good friend.
Delivering Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s goodwill message to the celebrator, Mrs Onanuga said Afolabi has always been a man to be emulated, stressing that he has contributed a lot to political development in Nigeria, especially, Southwest Nigeria.
In a personal letter read on behalf of Aregbesola to the celebrator, the governor affirmed that Afolabi remains a national figure to be emulated, adding that he is a humble, enterprising and selfless man who lives an exemplary life and steadfast in his commitment.
A lecture entitled: “Aging and the Future of Yoruba Race” was delivered at the event by Prof. Isaac Albert of the University of Ibadan.
At the event were senators Monsurat Sunmonu, Babafemi Ojudu, the Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolurin, a former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, who was the chairman, Committee of friends, Chief Iyiola Oladokun, and chairmen of the APC in Southwest states among others.
Afolabi expressed gratitude to God for attaining the new age. He said he was overwhelmed with the huge love shown him by friends, family and co-politicians within the party