Saturday December 17th, 2022 was a special day in Ipari-Oke, a community in Ijebu North-East Local Government of Ogun state when a Canada-based Serial Business Magnate and Philanthropist, Dr. Taiwo Olubanwo and his siblings celebrated their beloved father’s 75th birthday in a grand style.
The celebrant Pa James Olusegun Olubanwo is a renowned educator who is prominent and highly influential in the community. He has a successful teaching career which saw him head many schools in Ogun state and Lagos state respectively. The versatile and highly industrious educator also thrived in quite a number of businesses such as transportation, real estate, event and rentals. Pa Olubanwo is well loved by the entire people of Ipari-Oke as he is their community champion who never stops persuading sons and daughters of Ipari-Oke, his children inclusive, on why they need to develop their hometown.
Celebrating an icon in Pa Olubanwo at 75 was a thing of delight for his children and the entire people of Ipari-Oke Ijebu. The event of the day began with a thanksgiving service which was held at the St. Peter’s Parish of the African Church, Ijebu North Diocese located in Ipari-Oke. This was followed by a big reception party which saw dignitaries, family, friends and associates as well as the entire community rejoice with Pa Olubanwo’s family as they celebrated God’s grace in the life of their patriarch.
Speaking with CityPeople reporter, Jamiu Abubakar (08085185886), Dr. Taiwo took time to extol the many enviable qualities of his father and why he and his siblings decided to celebrate him big at 75. Below are the excerpts:
“I am pleased with the outcome of the event. It was well-planned and well-executed. Thanks to the well-wishers and thanks to Almighty God. Because it can always be God, you know, planning a programme as big as this takes a lot of effort. Basically, I can only say thanks to Almighty God that made today’s event successful.
“We planned to celebrate him this big when he clocked 70 but it didn’t happen for some reason. I wanted to do it but it didn’t happen. The goal is just to appreciate him. I love celebrating my parents while alive rather than after death. We have people that wouldn’t mind. I want them to enjoy what they have laboured for.
“My dad is my mentor. Most of the things I do today, I learnt from him. I learnt a lot from him. If my dad gives you money and he gives you a word of advice. Don’t take the money, take that word of advice. He is a wise man. He is a man of honour and highly principled. You know he is a baba teacher. If he says yes, his yes is yes. If he says no, his no is no. As you can assume; he is a teacher and head of school for that matter. He is a “no-nonsense” man. He is an iconic educator. So you just have to follow his rules. It’s fun growing up with him. You can’t change him, you can’t pull him. You can’t control him. He controls you. His decision always stands and that’s the final.
“Baba gave birth to 7 of us. I’m in the middle. I have sister Dare, brother Abimbolu, Sister Dupe, myself; Taiwo, my younger sister; Bisi, my younger brother Idowu who goes by Gbenga and our last born Alaba who also answers the name, Adeleke.
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