Lagos state deputy governor, Obafemi Hamzat recently celebrated his 60th birthday in Lagos, where he spoke on the need for Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his efforts to reposition the country for excellence.
At 60, boyish-looking Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat has great cause to thank God for existence and survival. As deputy governor of Lagos State, life goes on for the prince, technocrat, politician, and administrator, who is held in esteem by peers, his party elders, and his boss, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
When Hamzat rolled out the drums a few weeks ago to celebrate six decades of his earthly sojourn, the who-is-who in the society turned up to honour him. Most top chieftains of the ruling party witnessed the ceremony, and the few who could not make it sent their regrets.
The multi-purpose hall of the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque, Alausa, Ikeja was filled to the brim.
The government House and state secretariat were temporarily relocated to the premises. Guests were led by the governor, who eulogised his deputy as a worthy, competent, loyal, and trustworthy partner, who has served the state with diligence.
“For five years, we have been inseparable like Aki and Pawpaw; I testify to the glory of God in his life, said Sanwo-Olu, who described Hamzat as a brother, friend, and partner in progress, whose trust and confidence he has enjoyed as captain of the ship. Exuding happiness, the governor added: “That thing you are asking for, God will do it for you. You will live long in good health and sound mind.”
Sanwo-Olu traced their acquaintances to the Tinubu years in Lagos when they both served as commissioners.
He recalled the bond of unity and period of hard work, vigilance, diligence, and meticulous duty, saying: “If memo did not pass through us, you needed to come and see us at the back”
The governor said the joint involvement facilitated their adjustment when fate brought them together in government, adding that their relationship has not been characterised by differences and disagreement. “This is an example of what humility is; an example of unity and harmony,” he added.
Thanking Hamzat for leadership, partnership and sense of purpose, Sanwo-Olu said: “My colleagues tell me that they have not seen an intelligent deputy governor like him; a man of dignity and pride.”
It was a modest occasion; a blend of interdenominational thanksgiving service and lectures by reputable scholars from the Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo. At the ceremony, the synergy between Muslim and Christian leaders symbolised religious harmony in a state reputed for its religious and ethnic diversity.
Accompanied by his delectable wife, Remi, and promising children, the celebrator was resplendent in his flowing agbada, beaming infectious smiles and radiating the joy of accomplishments.
At the event were the gerontocrats, who were contemporaries of Hamzat’s father in politics and Governance Advisory Council (GAC) – Prince Oluyole Olusi, Otunba Gbelegbuwa Busura Alebiosu, Baba Aladura Olorunfunmi Basorun and the Apase of Epe, Chief Shakiru Akanni Bamu.
Other dignitaries included First Lady Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Chief Justice Olarewaju Alogba, sheikh Muyideen Bello, House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa, Senator Tokunbo Abiru, Lagos white cap chiefs, who represented Eleko Rilwan Akiolu; Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun, former Deputy Governor Sarah, Sosan, industrialist Chief Rasak Okoya and wife, Dr. Folasade, Otunba Lateef Olufemi Pedro, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, Kolade Alabi, Chief of Staff Tayo Ayinde, Ogun State Deputy Governor Salako Oyedele, Tunde Alade Balogun, House of Representatives members James Faleke, Katilat Ogbara,, Wale Hameed and Lanre Oshun; Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Abiodun Mafe, Iyaloja of Lagos Chief Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, Information and Strategy Vommissioner Gbenga Omotoso, former Industry Minister Mrs. Onikepo Akande, Sola Giwa, retired Police Assistant Inspector-General Hakeem Odumosu, Jide Obanikoro, Admiral Jibril Ayinla, Bayo Ajisebutu, Pa Rotinwa, Mrs. Emmanuela Fashola, Rasak Ajala, Dr. Muiz Banire, Sesan Daini, and Jelili Animasahun.
Other family friends and old school mates from Baptist Olivet, Oyo and the great grandmother University of Ibadan were in a joyous mood.
The programme of event was loaded. In the booklet were tributes from eminent Nigerians who testified to the celebrator’s worth and feats as an accomplished public servant.
Leading the officiating Muslim clerics at the event was the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaiman Abu-Nollah. The Christian priests were led by the chairman of Lagos State Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rt. Rev. Stephen Adegbite. There were readings ftom the Quran, words of exhortation by the Sheiks-Sulaimon Faruq Onikijipa, Ustaz Abfulhakeen Lawal and Pastor Femi Faseru of KICC, Maryland, Ikeja.
Lectures were given by Dr. SheikhAbdulRahman Lawal on “Rearing our children with the fear of Allah: and by Dr. Sheikk Zaheed Timehin on “Showing gratitude to Allah in relation to our communal interaction.”
Special prayers were offered for the governor, deputy governor and his family, members of the State Executive Council, the House of Assembly, the Judiciary and the people of Lagos.
Ustaz Lawal described the birthday as a moment of thanksgiving, reflection and assessment. Turning to the deputy governor, he said: “You got to 60 through the mercy of God. Forgive those who have wronged you. Dont forget your parents. Pray for them.”
Adegbite, who thanked God for the governor “and the peace we enjoy in Lagos,” congratulated Hamzat, saying: “60 is diamond. Gold is forever.”
The priest hailed the deputy governor as a product of a great background and applauded his sense of friendliness, humility and tenderness, nothing that, not only was he was born by a good father, he has also developed good character.
Echoing him, Alhaja Maryam Bisi, who spoke on behalf of the family, described Hamzat as a kind and compassionate person, stressing that he is very nice to the extended family.
Faseru paid tribute to KOH, “a successful father, husband, and leader, who has achieved so much through the grace of God.” He urged him to lift up people “for stretch.”
“Don’t wine down at 60. Refine, and re-engage. It is not yet time to relax,” he added.
All those who work in the Office of Deputy Governor also came with messages that validated the evidence of good traits. They were decked in a uniform attire befitting the occasion, dancing and singing. They described their boss as a God-fearing man; noble, humble; a good listener, and a man who has a knack for details and “works with data, which helps in decision making.”
Timehin, who held the audience captive with his lecture, stressed the value of thanksgiving, saying that “only those who know God can thank God.”
He stressed: “Life is full of ups and downs. Thanksgiving through casual speech and Thanksgiving through comprehensive behaviour is good. Hamzat has to thank God. How many blessings of God can he deny?
“Thanksgiving entails the extension of a duty of care to the needy in the society. In every position you are in, you have to thank God. The poor man sees the madman and thanks God. The madman sees the corpse and thanks God.”
The Lagos State University teacher urged Hamzat to always thank God for his father, who taught him courage, wisdom, and hard work. “You need to thank God for survival and excelling among your peers,” he added.
To the audience, Timehin said: “Learn to give thanks always.”
Lawal’s lecture on child rearing with the fear of Allah was inspiring. He drew attention to the “G-Z,” which he described as a dangerous breed that deserves special nurturing. Alluding to the Quran, he said parents should nurture their children based on Islamic teachings.
He added: “If they are not well brought up, outsiders who do not love them like us will snatch them from us. They deserve special care at adolescence.”
In Lawal’s view, parents should be role models. He lamented the eclipse of communal parenting. He said children should be brought up to respect elders.
The university don said breastfeeding is important and mothers should not shy away from it. He called for the inclusion of moral and religious studies into the curriculum.
Lawal said the teaching of etiquette to children, particularly dressing, manner of speech and walking, and how girls should sit, is also important.
“Children should be trained not to tell lies. It can lead to perdition,” he warned.
The events brought a lot of people who had not seen for a long time. For the old students of Hamzat’s alma mater, it was a reunion of sorts.
There was much to eat and drink. An Islamic musician took the stage. Many milled around the top table for handshakes. Overwhelmed with joy, tributes, huggings, patting at the back, and photo sessions, the celebrator and celebrants nearly forgot to cut the birthday cake.
An elated Hamzat thanked God for His goodness and mercies. He thanked his wife, Remi, who is like a shock absorber. He praised Sanwo-Olu for his dedication, thoroughness, and passion for service delivery, saying: “Governor says we must do the Fourth Mainland Bridge. I said where the money would come from. He replied that we must look for it by all means. I thank him for his passion. Lagos is the first to have a city rail.”
Hamzat also thanked Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, a distinguished medical doctor and first lady, for her passion for the state.
The deputy governor reflected on the state of the nation. “Governance is hard. It is not easy to rule,” he said. Therefore, he urged Nigerians to pray for the success of the Bola Tinubu administration in its efforts to reposition the country.
“Nigeria has broken its knees. Asiwaju is doing a surgical operation. Asiwaju Tinubu is well known for his capability. We pray to God to enable him fix the country,” he said.
