-
About His Life At 70
HAPPY PLATINUM JUBILEE BIRTHDAY
Happy Platinum Jubilee birthday to my remarkable, darling husband, Otunba Akinsanya Doherty. You are not only my life partner, but my confidant. The iron that sharpens my iron. Even when we find ourselves in disagreement, I love how we set it aside to share stories, to gossip and to bond. Your kindness, Otunba, knows no bounds. You are the person closest to me on earth. True intimacy is when someone sees all of you, the good and the bad, yet loves you regardless. I am grateful to have had you by my side for over forty-one years.
Sweetheart, you have an impeccably strong work ethic as a hardworking man and I am so very proud of you. Your entrepreneurial skills are nothing short of exceptional, with academic degrees in two disciplines within the top ten most respected professions in the world. You are both a Chartered Accountant with over forty-one years of experience, and a Barrister. You have no nonsense approach and set integrity as your hallmark. Your numerous awards reflect your outstanding contributions to both the private and public sectors, locally and internationally. But your true worth extends beyond mere accolades.
Honey, you have been the catalyst that rekindles my glowing splint, motivating me more to reach. for greater heights. Our life is not about material possessions, it is about two souls firmly anchored, united to accomplish more together. What a great team player you are.
Olowo Ori mi, Asiwaju Ijo Christ Anglican Church ljebu-Ife. You are one of a kind. You bring everything to the table: intelligence, value, financial acumen, purpose, wisdom, class, ambition and so much more. By your nature, you yearn to assist people. For example, how you set up the Iya Wemimo Foundation, to help alleviate poverty.
Darling, do not stop being the remarkable person you are.
Celebrate in style and remain blessed.
Ever yours,
YEYE TEMITLOLA DOHERTY
Dear Daddy,
As we celebrate your 70th birthday, we thank God for your life and the inspiration and wisdom he has bestowed upon you throughout your life; for keeping you safe and healthy to reach this new milestone, we cannot thank him enough.
A few that only came to know you later in life, might not know that you came from humble beginning with your father as a headmaster and your mother not having attended school; however, despite the early challenges in life, you were able to overcome these and focus on starting a career in finance. After a short stint working at United Bank of Africa (UBA), you spent a decade of your professional career at Leventis conglomerate, before your calling to Exxon Mobil (formerly Mobil Oil) where you met colleagues and friends that still stand with you today. As a diligent and trustworthy professional, and because your ability to stay focused, your then boss, who is currently the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, handpicked you to be the first person in Mobil to be sent abroad where you became an SAP Controls Consultant to Mobil Europe.
To say that you made your mark whilst at Mobil would be an understatement. At a point you were Retail Manager for the North and branch manager for the entire Eastern Nigeria; combined with other business and personal trips, it would be safe to say that there are not many places you haven’t visited in the Republic of Nigeria. You are indeed a true son of the soil. Between August 2000 and May 2007, you served in the public sector firstly as the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Budget, Finance and Information Technology and Management Services, before being asked to serve as the Honourable Commissioner for Science and Technology, and subsequently as the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Lagos State under His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu. During your time in office, you also served in various capacities. It was therefore fitting that you were recognised for the Kwarne Nkrumah Africa Leadership Award in 2007 for Excellence in Public Service Administration.
Currently the Managing Director of Alpha Beta Consulting LLP, you also serve as the Chairman of Manchester Consulting Limited, Manchester Construction and Services Limited as well as Wemimo Farms Limited. You are also on the Board of Lasaco Assurance PIc, Continental Broadcasting Services Limited and Afkar Publishing Company Limited. Despite the overwhelming nature of these roles, you still managed to find time to show support to the community you were raised in, making regular contributions to the development of the Christ Anglican Church of Iwade, Ijebu-Ife and of course the establishment of the Iya Wemimo Foundation (established in memory of your late mother). As a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria and The Institute of Taxation of Nigeria, you also hold a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. However, your pursuit to learn did not stop there. In 2014, you started a Law degree at the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom, and after being awarded the LLB, you went on to become a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria as a result of successfully completing the Bar Vocational courses at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.
As you continued to develop both personally and professionally, you never forgot to take time to guide and support myself and my sisters throughout our early childhood, teen years and indeed till date. The result of such guidance, care and love speaks volumes when you consider our qualifications and international exposure. We would not be where we are had it not been for the sacrifices you have made time after time over the decades. I am grateful for the advice and support you have given me which have contributed immensely to my development as an international finance professional with qualifications from highly ranked international institutions and having worked for some of the largest global consulting firms in the world.
It is also admirable to see how you have embraced with warmth, my lifelong partner, your granddaughter and our in-laws. I am appreciative of how you have extended your guidance and support to my family as we chart our own path in today’s ever challenging world.
With love from
Adeola, Oyinkansola and Farayola Doherty
Thank you Daddy for showing us the right balance of love and discipline. You have made many personal sacrifices in order to give us, your children, the best start in life. Together in partnership with Mummy, your wonderful wife, Yeye Temilola Doherty, you have laid a strong foundation for us.
You have instilled in us many valuable life lessons such as honouring our heavenly father, praying, working hard, self-belief and determination, striving for excellence, showing respect to others and giving back to society.
You have taught us to carefully observe others, to learn from both their successes and their failures and to emulate positive role models. All of these enabled us to make the right choices at the right time and to make the best of every opportunity. Even in adulthood, you continue to offer us your words of wisdom and encouragement. Thank you Daddy.
In order to share with you how my father has become the accomplished man he is today, I’d like to start by explaining a little bit about his roots. Although my father is, the only biological child of the late Elliot and Abigail Doherty, he also has 5 other half siblings. His father was a headmaster by profession, and a disciplinarian both inside and outside the classroom. His mother did not attend school or receive an education, but she doted on her only child and loving care for him with all her heart.
Growing up in a simple and strict household my father learnt from an early age that he needed to make a success of his life in order to provide for his parents and half-siblings. He was therefore determined to succeed and fulfil his purpose. He started utilising the gifts that God had blessed him with. He quickly understood that education was a powerful tool and so he studied hard, worked meticulously and was ambitious, always working to better himself and never resting on his laurels. After years of perseverance and making the best of opportunities that arose he succeeded in achieving his goals and more and has become the accomplished man you see today.
Behind the outward appearance, the accomplishments, titles and many accolades, remains a very humble man. A man who continuously thinks about others, who celebrates with them in their times of joy and offers his help and advice in their times of need or suffering. A man who sacrifices his time, sleep and leisure for family, friends, colleagues, community, charitable organisations and his country.
Daddy, my prayer for you in this your 70th birthday and beyond, is to rest, to get a good night’s sleep, to have a day off, to take a vacation, to kick a football or even swing a golf club again. To pause and enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Your daughter,
–Dr Tolulope Doherty / Mrs Stewart! Mama Iyanuayo.
From humble beginnings, Otunba was born in Ijebu-Ife on 3rd December 1953 on a Thursday. As the children’s poem says: a child born on Thursday has “far to go”. You certainly have gone far and have had a long and successful life so far and by God’s grace may it continue to be so.
Your tireless efforts, hard work, and dedication to everything you put your hands to has led you to where you are now. May the seeds that you have sown not only in our lives, as your children, but to so many others, lead to an abundant harvest in good health, wealth and success. Thank you for the legacy that you have passed onto us, which we can now pass onto our children and’ our children’s children. Your labour has not been in vain. Thank you for the sacrifices and advice that even to this day you are still giving us.
Thank you for encouraging us “not to rest on our laurels” and for always pushing us to be the best. You have been an incredible influence and mentor to so many people worldwide. Your high standards in the areas of accountancy, law, finance, government, and local communities amongst other things, have encouraged and inspired others to strive to attain this level of high standards in their profession, as well in all areas of their lives.
Love, your daughter:
Dr. Olayinka Adebowale Doherty
On this momentous occasion of your 70th birthday, we, your daughter Adeshola, son-in-law Michael, and grandson Blake, come together to honour and express our deepest appreciation for the profound impact you’ve had in our lives.
During our childhood, you worked tirelessly as a distinguished Chartered Accountant, both locally and overseas. As parents ourselves we only now appreciate the extraordinary lengths you went to in building
a solid foundation and providing for your young family. These sacrifices during our formative years have paved the way for the opportunities we cherish today. Your commitment to ensuring our future was the best it could possibly be is a legacy that continues to shape our lives.
We stood proudly alongside as you served as the Honourable Commissioner for Science and Technology followed as the Honourable Commissioner for Finance in Lagos State. Never one to rest on your laurels, you went on to complete a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB, Laws) from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and became a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria after successfully completing the Bar Vocational Courses at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos: Your exemplary achievements, charactenzed. by ambition, hard work, and an unwavenng belief that “the sky is the limit,” have been a guiding light for us.
Alongside your academic and business accomplishments, you have shown commitment to various other spheres of hfe. Your contributions to the Christ Anglican Church of Ijebu-Ife and establishment of the
Iya Wemimo Foundation will have. an everlasting impact on the commumty. Furthermore your love and commitment to your beloved wife, Yeye Temilola Doherty, and dedication to your four children has not gone unnoticed.
Adeshola, your youngest daughter, stands today as a testament to your unwavenng encouragement and support in her pursuit of a medical career. Your belief in her abilities and the guidance you provided have not only shaped her professional journey but have also instilled in her the values of compassion and dedication that define her practice today. Your steadfast belief in education and determination to see her excel has been a cornerstone of her successful journey towards becoming a Paediatric Consultant.
Michael, your son-in-law, is indebted to your wisdom, support, and blessmgs that have accompanied our union. Furthermore, your warmth and love towards your Grandson, Blake has been uplifting to witness. We thank you fer being such an inspiring role model for him to look up to. We look forward to many future moments we have to share together.
With all our love,
Dr Adeshola, Michael, and Blake De Piano
For me, the most memorable experience I have shared with you was when you gave me your beautiful daughter Tolulope’s hand in marriage, and you accepted me into your family. What a wonderful day we all had celebrating. It was one of life’s precious moments, being able to share our special day with you, Yeye and my parents. Tolu and I won’t ever forget it. You decided to return to university in their 60s, let alone decide to study Law! You are an inspiration to myself and others, and remind us that age should not be a barrier.
Finally, I love your great sense of humour, your warm smile and your infectious laugh. Keep having fun, it is so refreshing. I have the greatest respect for you and Yeye. Together you have sacrificed a lot and overcome many challenges and obstacles to be where you are today. You have raised four incredible children, who have all excelled, and their successes are a testimonies to the strong foundations you have both laid.
The other very significant memory I have was when you first held our son, your grandson, Iyanuayo Joshua Adeshewa Stewart. It was so wonderful to watch how lovingly and tenderly you carried and cared for him. Thank you for making the long journey to be with us at that time and Iyanuayo says a big big thank you Baba Agba.
I have always valued all your words of wisdom and encouragement, and always enjoy hearing your stories and life experiences. Your spoken words are always delivered with much care and consideration, I also admire your continued and unwavering desire for knowledge and understanding, and your strength and dedication in succeeding in all your goals. I am forever grateful to you both, because you brought into this world your daughter Tolulope, the lady whom I have fallen in love with and whom I can now call my wife.
Love from your son-in-law,
Dr Benjamin Stewart/Baba Iyanuayo
I am fortunate to have such a loving, caring and amazing father-in-law who is also a wonderful husband, father, and grandfather. You are married to a beautiful, virtuous and successful woman in the person of Yeye Temilola Doherty and together you have raised four wonderful and highly accomplished children. An internationally qualified chartered accountant, and three highly successful medical doctors.
In addition to being a blessed family man, you have had a remarkable career and touched innumerable lives through your many decades of service. I salute you for a great career and for creating and living a wonderful life.
I particularly appreciate your words of advice and insight at various times and the love and support you have continually shown to my family as well as all your other in-laws. You have been an inspiration to all who truly know you, by your commitment, foresight and unrelenting pursuit of knowledge and expertise in business and management. Your acquisition of a highly coveted degree in law in your 60s from University of Buckingham, United Kingdom, and proceeding to become a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Nigeria is a proof of this.
Oyinkansola O. Doherty
Send Us News, Gist, more... to citypeopleng@gmail.com | Twitter: @CitypeopleMagz
