When Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan turned 50, Lagos witnessed the gathering of the commanding figures of governance, security, business, traditional authority and Christian ministry whom he has impacted over the course of five decades. They all stepped away from their respective arenas of influence to celebrate a phenomenal leader, Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, whose story has been shaped by ambition, public service, enterprise, philanthropy and an unmistakable devotion to God. The significance of the occasion lay not merely in the calibre of the guests or the splendour of the celebration, but in what their presence represented as they united in honour of a man whose life has brought various worldviews together into a shared orbit. On this occasion, their titles and offices gave way to a common purpose: thanksgiving to God for the life of Dr. Ogunsan at the special 50th birthday edition edition of the Gospel Hymns and Worship Concert, the annual celebration through which Ogunsan calls everyone to collective worship.
Leading the pack of gladiators are the Governor of Lagos State, Gov. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu; 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) were also in attendance.
Business titans include the 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.
It was, in every sense, a convergence of power and influence but the purpose was worship. The evening opened with Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan taking the lead with the worship song, ‘I love You Lord for Your mercy never fails me’. His wife and globally-recognized Gospel singer, Dr. Ajoke Ogunsan Ajokesings who sang tunes such as Holy Forever, Great is thy faithfulness, Great is Your mercy towards me and her own original composition, Iba Re. One of the greatest gifts for a father is to see his children grow and flourish right and that’s what happened as Dr. Ogunsan’s three daughters, Mercy, Joy, and Oluwaseun respectively sang Good God, You are so mindful of me; Nagode, and You are my God, the mom’s original composition. This was followed by the duet of Dr. Ayo Ogunsan and Dr. Ajokesings who sang ‘I wonder if I have done my best for Christ’. The mentoring collective led by Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, Young Executive Forum (YEF) sang ‘oh ask the man’. The evening also featured a deeply personal moment when Ogunsan’s former schoolmates from St. Joseph Secondary School, Agege, delivered a tribute to their former student.
‘This isn’t just another event,’ he told the audience. ‘It is a sanctuary of praise.’ The words captured the mood he sought to establish. For one evening, the boardroom and the palace, the public office and the pulpit, the security establishment and the family home converged around the language of worship.
For Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, turning 50 offered an opportunity to reflect on a life that has moved through business, public engagement, philanthropy, education and service while maintaining a visible commitment to Christian worship.
The best story for Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan at 50 is not simply that he attained another milestone but that for one memorable evening, the gladiators of Lagos joined him when his worship for five remarkable decades to God Almighty rose to the highest heavens.