By Ayodele Abere
It is said that birthday is a special occasion that marks the passage of time and serves as personal milestones in one’s life as it provides one an opportunity to pause and reflect on the journey one has embarked upon and the lessons that one has learnt.
July 7th of every year is very unique and special to the family of Aiyelabowos in Ikoro-Ekiti in Ijero Local Government Area of Ekiti State as the day marks the birthday of one of their sons, Alhaji Deji Aiyelabowo, a veteran journalists.This year’s own remains quite remarkable as he turns 75.
Speaking with journalists at the Central Mosque, Ikoro-Ekiti where the celebrator had the birthday thanksgiving, the septuagenarian urged people in general to be doing good always noting that we all came to this world with nothing and that we will equally go back with nothing.
In his word, “I feel relaxed. I feel a completed man, a completed human being at 75. Such a man that God has actually helped”
The celebrator who donated about half a million naira worth of solar lights, food items as well as cash to the students of Government Special School for the Deaf, Ikoro Ekiti on Friday, 12th July 2024, to mark the day said, “whatever you have, share it with your fellow human beings. Whatever you do either good or bad, you take the reward”. Said he.
Donating the items to the school on behalf of her husband, the celebrator’s wife, Mrs Modupe Aiyelabowo who was well received by the staff and students of the school told the students not to be discouraged by the challenges they are facing saying they too can still become somebody in life.
Receiving the items on behalf of the school Principal who was unavoidably absent, the bursar of the school, Mr. Dele Ojo commended the gesture and offered fervent prayers for the celebrant as both the staff and students were so happy to receive the items.
Madam Aiyelabowo who attested to the fact that the students were well taken care of, prayed for them and made them to understand that her husband, the celebrator looked back and realized that the best thing to do in celebrating his 75th birthday was to give to the needy which was why she came to the school in company of other members of the family to rejoice with the students and donate the items.
The Chief Imam of Ikoro-Ekiti, Alhaji Azeez Olayinka, said birthday is very important in one’s life adding that the Holy Quran supports it saying whoever celebrates birthday and give to the needy is the best man in the world. The cleric described the celebrator as a very kind man.
Deji Aiyelabowo started his life as a struggling guy. He had his elementary education at Ikoro -Ekiti. He didn’t have the opportunity to have his Secondary education in the town. He went to modern school and got to modern 3. With the mercy of God, he found himself in New York, United States of America where he had the opportunity of go to secondary school.
From there, he gained admission into Mcmaster university in ortario where he had his first degree. After graduation, he returned to Nigeria and had his National Youth Service with a radio station in Ibadan. After his service year, he was employed by the then Ondo State Government.
He started his career in the Ministry of Information in old Ondo State in 1980. At the creation of Ekiti State in 1996, he was transferred to Ekiti State. He rose to the position of Director of Information Services in Ekiti State. He also rose to the position of General Manager in Ekiti State Broadcasting Services. He acted as Permanent Secretary in Ekiti State Ministry of Information before he bowed out of service in 2010.
Deji Aiyelabowo is happily married with good children. In attendance at the event were family, friends, colleagues and well wishers both from far and near.