Power and influence converged under one roof, but neither commanded the evening. Worship did. At the special 50th Birthday Gospel Hymns and Worship Concert celebrating Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan’s Golden Jubilee, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), popularly known as the Civilian General, brought an illustrious assembly together for the purpose of thanksgiving to God.
The defining spectacle is the Musical House of Ogunsan who turned the stage into a living portrait of shared faith, with father, mother and their three daughters offering individual performances that culminated in a celebration of family harmony.
The patriarch, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan opened the evening with the worship song I Love You Lord, for Your Mercy Never Fails Me, setting the spiritual tone for a gathering where public stature gave way to a shared expression of gratitude. It was an invitation to reflect on the mercy and grace he credits for his journey. It was also a fitting opening for a man whose annual birthday worship concert has become an occasion for bringing together friends, associates, public officials, security personnel, business leaders and Christian ministers.
The musical spotlight moved to Dr. Ajoke Olufunmilola Ogunsan, the celebrant’s wife and globally recognised gospel singer known professionally as Ajokesings. Her performances included Holy Forever, Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Great Is Your Mercy Towards Me and her original composition, Iba Re, bringing vocal expression and heartfelt worship to the celebration. For the Ogunsan family, however, the evening’s significance went beyond the artistry.
One of the profound joys of parenthood is watching children grow into their gifts and convictions. That joy found expression as the couple’s three daughters, Mercy, Joy and Oluwaseun, each took the stage. Mercy sang Good God, You Are So Mindful of Me, Joy rendered Nagode, while Oluwaseun performed You Are My God, an original composition by her mother.
Their individual contributions demonstrated the family’s shared musical identity while allowing each daughter to bring her own voice to the celebration. Together, their performances gave substance to the idea of the Musical House of Ogunsan that music was not merely entertainment provided for guests; it was a family language through which faith, gratitude and generational continuity were expressed.
The parents subsequently reunited for a duet, I Wonder If I Have Done My Best for Christ. The choice brought a reflective dimension to the festivities, shifting attention from the milestone itself to the deeper question of a life’s service and spiritual responsibility.
The celebration’s musical expression extended beyond the immediate household. The Young Executive Forum (YEF), the mentoring collective led by Dr. Ogunsan, performed Oh Ask the Man, adding another dimension to an evening shaped by relationships, mentorship and shared purpose.
The Wonderskills led by the Mr. Leke Abiola took the entire hall into another level of thanksgiving with high-octane praise and dance. Their participation reflected the celebrant’s engagement with younger executives and the importance of cultivating relationships that extend beyond professional advancement. The concert thus brought together different generations through music, with the family at its centre and a wider community joining in the celebration.
At 50, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, alongside his wife, reflected on the first five decades and spotlight into the next five decades. In his vote of thanks, he sang I Don’t Know Why He Loves Me and I Am Forever Grateful To You which he noted are for the first 50 years and the third song I Want More of You Jesus is for the second 50 years of his life.
The gathering’s distinguished attendance underscored the breadth of Ogunsan’s relationships across public administration, security, business, traditional institutions and religious life. Governor Sanwo-Olu’s participation, alongside other prominent guests, such as the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat as represented by Commissioner for Housing, Hon. Moruf Akinderu Fatai; the Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Sam Egube; the APC Lagos deputy Governorship candidate, Mrs. Damilola Senayon James; and APC Lagos campaign coordinator, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro. Lagos cabinet members present include Information, Gbenga Omotoso, Trade and Investment, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; Special Duties, Gbenga Oyerinde; and others. The Chairman of the LSSTF Board, Kehinde Durosinmi Etti, DIG Agboola Oshodi Glover (retd) gave the occasion considerable public significance.
Also in attendance are business titans which include Chief Olu Okeowo, Chairman of Gibraltar Construction; Mr. Segun Alebiosu, GMD/CEO of First Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Ajibola Adebutu, CEO of JB Farms; Mr. Oliver Alawuba, GMD/CEO of UBA; Mr. Akin Ogunranti, Executive Director, Zenith Bank; Dr. Ubon Udoh, the MD/CEO of ASR Africa Initiative, Idowu Oguntona, MD of Lagos Bus Service Ltd. among others.
The IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu led senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force, including DIG Adegoke Fayoade, AIG Simeon Akpanudom, AIG Olohundare Jimoh, CP Fatai Tijani, AIG Ari Ali (retd), DCP Anthony Okon Placid, CSP and other police officers. The three military chiefs in Lagos including Commander 9 Brigade, Brig. Gen. Ayokunle Owolabi; Commander of NAF 651 BSG, Air Commodore MA Imam; and Commander of NNS Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams Aliu were also present. Also in attendance were Gen. Olumuyiwa Okunowo and Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, the Commander of Operation Delta Safe. Other security agencies include the NSCDC Lagos Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro; Nigeria Immigration Service Lagos Comptroller Chris Olu Onajinrin, the FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, Kehinde Hamzat; LNSA General Manager, Prince Dr. Ifalade Oyekan.
The traditional leaders were led by the Ooni of Ife and Arole Oodua, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as represented by his wife; the Alara of Ilara, Oba Olufolarin Ogunsanwo; the Ologba of Ogba, Oba Lateef Egbeyemi and wife, Olori Kadijat Egbeyemi; Onikoyi of Ikoyi, Oba Ibikunle Fafunwa, and several white cap chiefs of Lagos. The church was well represented by Christian ministers like Pst. Yemi Akinwande, Deeper Life Church UK who took the brief exhortations, Pst. Sehindemi Johnson, Prof. Albert Oikelome, Pst. Tope Ojemen, Pastor Olaomo, Pastor Olanipekun, and many others.
The Civilian General may be recognised for his reach across different sectors, but the Musical House of Ogunsan revealed another dimension of his life: a family united by a shared conviction that their gifts find their highest purpose in worship. Five decades celebrated. Three daughters finding their voices. A couple sharing their faith. One family offering its thanksgiving.