When grace speaks in the life of an individual, such a person easily becomes the cynosure of all eyes. Even when he or she walks on a tight rope, grace still makes the walk an easy pass for him or her. Thus, it is imperative for those at the receiving end of such uncommon grace to always express gratitude to God Almighty and not take it for granted.
For General Oluyemi Bajowa (rtd), he is a man favoured by God with a rare gesture of grace, love and kindness. The retired soldier confessed this much at a Thanksgiving Service of the Holy Eucharist and Communion to mark his 77th birthday.
Held on December 27, 2017 at St. Joseph Chapel, Bajowa villa, Igbotako Osooro in the Southern Senatorial district of Ondo state, the occasion attracted dignitaries within and beyond Ondo state.
In his sermon to commemorate the event, Rev Samuel Oluwafosile described the celebrant as a good example of a man whom God loves, adding that great men whom God has shown love cannot but reciprocate such gesture with an outpouring of thanksgiving and appreciation to their creator.
Rev Oluwafosile said at all times and in all situations, God demands that we give Him thanks just as the Bible also reminds us that instead of grumbling and complaining, our appropriate duty to God is to appreciate Him always.
The cleric urged the congregation to accept Jesus genuinely as a father and provider so that we all can be recipients of his favour, adding that the celebrant should continue to appreciate God with his time, material and substance while also not relenting in supporting the needy.
It was a great time of celebration as the congregation joined the celebrant, his wife and family in a special thanksgiving offertory in the course of the service.
In his testimony, the celebrant, Gen Bajowa, the Jagunmolu of Ikale, who also doubles as the Ojagbulegun of Ayeka kingdom, was full of praise to God for sustaining him in good health till this time, adding that since 1961 when he had pledged to God to always celebrate his birthday, he had not looked back.
He said his birthday always offers him an opportunity to appreciate God for the unquantifiable and numerous acts of kindness he has benefited from God.
According to him, “I clocked 77 years of age today and I am still bubbling with youthful energy; this is a rare privilege, you know why? My parents were not up to this age before their departure to the hereafter, thus it calls for celebration for me because a very good number of my mates are also no more! It will interest you all to know that I survived six coup d’etat and six cumbersome panels of inquiry which the military junta set up. It takes grace to survive those panels unscathed.”
General Bajowa further stated that it took the rarest kind of God’s grace for him to escape a bomb blast at Sabongida Ora in which 15 soldiers were killed in broad daylight, stressing that he has every reason to always give thanks to God and appreciate Him for His mercies and loving kindness.
He charged the congregation to always work on pleasing God in their daily activities and living because God never fails to reward those who obey His command and do His will.
The service was followed immediately by a reception within the Bajowa villa, as guests were treated to various delicacies and drinks with the traditionally-rich Comfort Omoge band, led by her daughter, providing Ikale Biripo numbers to spice the occasion.
The celebrant, supported by his wife, Barrister Princess Oluyemi Bajowa, the Yeye Ojagbulegun of Ayeka Kingdom, also cut the birthday cake amidst applause from the audience.
Earlier, the finals of TIYEC/Gen Bajowa Football competition had taken place at the Government Field Okitipupa with Okitipupa FC beating Winners FC of Ore 6 – 4 on aggregate. The match, officially kicked off by the celebrant, also had in attendance Retired Commissioner of Police Abayomi Olorunoje Akeremale among other dignitaries.
Gen Bajowa has been sponsoring the annual soccer competition for about 20 years now.
