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For Mrs Elizabeth Olubukola Fabowale has been fulfilled the blessed words of the Psalmist: “Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. 4. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. 5. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies” (Psalm 127:1).
The wife of the late Baba Ijo of Christ African Church, Ijokun, Sagamu, Ogun State, celebrated her turning 70 years of age last Friday, April15, surrounded by a rampart of shield and wreaths of roses formed by her children, grandchildren and other kith and kin.
Also on hand to rejoice with the socialite on the feisty occasion, held at her Number 3, Ogo Oluwa residence, Transformer area, Atoyo- Egbe, Sagamu, Ogun State, were neighbours, friends, church and club members.
There was feastiing as well as thanksgiving as the guests joined the celebrant in expressing gratitude to the Almighty for sparing her to attain the platinum age, despite the vicissitudes of life.
Family members and well-wishers also took time to x-ray the character, contribution and impact of the the septugenarian. They submitted that she has been a supportive wife, paragon of motherhood and a very loving, kind and cheerful giver who is generous, perhaps, to a fault!
The ceremony opened with praise and worship session framed by a short prayer led by the minister in charge of Christ African Church the family attends, Canon Oluwole.
The gathering prayed the Lord to grant Mrs. Fabowale continued sound health, joy, peace, prosperity and longevity in order to enjoy the fruit of her labour.
The spiritual segment dovetailed into the socials with the guests serenading the celebrant.
Mrs. Olubusola Odubawo, her stepdaughter opened the floodgates of tributes, describing Mrs. Fabowale as warm, personable and generous.
“She can give her eye to a friend in need”, the former school principal noted.
She thanked Mrs Fabowale who is the youngest widow of the family’s patriarch for taking care of their old man and holding the forte before and after his demise when many of the children had left home.
Her sentiments were echoed by her siblings including Mrs. Ekundayo Shotade, Pastor Babajide Fabowale and Mr. Oyebola Fabowale who masterfully compered the event.
Her eldest child, Mr. Tola Fabowale, extolled Mrs. Fabowale”s virtues. The Lagos-based multimedia promotion business executive thanked his mother for her effort, which he remarked, enabled him and his siblings finish their schooling and thereby giving them a launch-pad to succeed in life. He lauded her resilience, perseverance, tenacity and sacrifice in financially supporting them during tough situations.
“You are a model of motherhood and if I should come to this world again, I certainly would want to be born by you,” he declared.
He thanked family members who,he said, had by their overwhelming love and steadfast solidarity demonstraed that a polygamous family needed not be toxic, strife-ridden and detrimental to the growth and self-actualization of members, but could actually be inspiring and supportive.
He said he owed his success in life and business to the mutual love, exemplary leadership, quest for excellence, healthy rivalry and competitive spirit existing among his elder siblings which have also been imbibed by the younger ones.
An elated Mrs. Fabowale could not hide her joy as she cut her birthday cake supervised by Mrs. Shotade.
Responding to the accolades showered on her, the celebrant said she felt fulfilled by the honour done her by her children in organizing the birthday party.
She recalled how she struggled and toiled to give them a headstart in life, even having to work at various jobs and businesses to make ends meet when due to their father’s old age, she had to shoulder the responsibility.
She prayed and thanked them for reciprocating her sacrifices by providing for her needs in old age including a decent shelter.
Mrs. Fabowale also thanked her husband’s family as well as hers, the Sotubo clan of Sagamu for standing by her at all times and for felicitating her on her anniversary.
Other well-wishers spoke in similar vein as previous speakers about tcelebrant.
The guests were treated to sumptuous cuisines and assorted brands of wine and other drinks. They later joined Mrs. Fabowale in a celebratory dance.
