His Welcome Address
Lion Niyi Balogun opened the gathering with heartfelt gratitude, acknowledging the significance of his guests’ presence on New Year’s Day, a time when many would naturally reserve for family, rest, and private reflection.
“You have a thousand and one reasons not to be here today, being January 1st,” he said warmly. “But for the love you have for me, you are here. And for that, I am truly grateful.”
Drawing from the wisdom of Chinua Achebe, he reminded the audience that communal gatherings are not merely about celebration, but about human connection.
“If we invite our kindred to feast with us, it is not about the food, for everyone has food in their house, but about identifying with one another.”
With visible emotion, he assured his guests that their kindness would never go unrewarded, praying that God would honour each person present.
The Journey That Changed Everything
Lion Balogun then shared the personal journey that led to the Thanksgiving event. Exactly three years earlier, on January 1st, 2023, while playing basketball with his staff, nephews and children, a game he still enjoys as a “young man at heart, he fell and fractured his hip.
What initially seemed like a minor incident quickly became a life-altering ordeal. The pain intensified. He lost mobility. Medical examinations confirmed a fractured hip, leading to a 26-day hospital stay and surgery. Though doctors insisted the implant was properly positioned, the pain persisted for nearly two years. He moved from hospital to hospital across Nigeria, enduring powerful medications and countless treatments, yet finding little relief.
Despite his condition, that period coincided with his tenure as the Pioneer District Governor of Lions Club. Rather than retreat from responsibility, he chose to serve.
“The easiest thing would have been to throw in the towel,” he reflected. “But I decided I must fulfil the trust placed in me.”
Amid the pain, he completed his tenure and, within that same year, celebrated the marriages of two of his children, blessings that kept his faith alive.
Eventually, seeking further treatment abroad, he underwent a demanding two-stage revision surgery, with the final operation completed on March 26, 2025. Ten days later, the pain vanished completely. Within three months, he was walking unaided, no wheelchair, no crutches, no walking stick.
“I was completely healed. No pain. No medication. Only physiotherapy and God.”
Compassion in the Midst of Pain
While hospitalised in Nigeria, Lion Balogun chose to remain in the general ward rather than move to a private room. There, he encountered patients unable to afford medication or surgery.
“The Lion in me came alive,” he said.
He offered assistance where he could, helping several patients receive treatment and successful surgeries — turning his season of suffering into a mission of service.
Lessons from the Storm
Reflecting on the past three years, he spoke of faith, endurance and gratitude.
“No matter the circumstance, hold on to your faith. God will ease every tribulation. If you believe, it will surely get better.”
He acknowledged the sobering reality that many he met in the hospital did not survive, making his own recovery even more profound.
“It may seem like a minor injury. It was not. Many who passed through it are no longer here. But God preserved me for a purpose.”
To his fellow Lions, he offered this reminder:
“A living dog is more useful than a dead lion. Doing good does not diminish us — it elevates us.”
A Community of Support
The Thanksgiving gathering, he emphasised, was not a party but a tribute to the people who stood by him when life was most difficult: friends, business associates, staff, childhood companions, well-wishers, and the United Vanguard Club ’88, Oyo, who travelled with a powerful delegation and generous support.
He expressed deep appreciation to his employees for keeping his businesses thriving in his absence, and to his family, siblings, children and especially his wife, whose love and strength sustained him through the darkest moments.
“In the last three years, I have learned who my true friends are. I have learned a lot. I am now wiser.”
Looking Forward with Faith
His message closed with a declaration of hope and gratitude.
“The only prayer I had in that season was for good health. And God answered.”
With conviction, he affirmed his belief that God had granted him long life and a continuing mission of service.
“I will live to celebrate 100 years. I will reap the fruits of my labour. With God on my side, I will continue to serve humanity.”
And with that, he prayed for the health and well-being of all present, thanking them once again for standing with him on a journey that transformed pain into purpose.
