By Ayobami Ife, Abeokuta
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, Ambassador (Dr) Babatunde Adeyemo and his wife, Mrs TitilayoAdeyemo, have saluted Aremo Olusegun Osoba on his 86th birthday today, Tuesday, July 15.
Ambassador Adeyemo, a top-notch Nigerian real estate entrepreneur and veteran broadcast journalist hailed Osoba at 86, describing him as a journalism role model, politician and revered elder statesman who has continued to use his immeasurable wealth of experience to provide “an iconic, commendable,enduring leadership and mentorship roles in journalism, politics, tradition and other endeavours across generations and the globe.”
Although Osoba, a leader of Omoluabi ethos, would want this day to pass by without any form of birthday celebration for him as a mark of sensitivity to the mood of the nation and in honour of two illustrious elder statesmen – former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. The two great Nigerians passed away same day on Sunday, July 13.
While Oba Adetona was committed to the earth in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State on Monday with Aremo Osoba joining other dignitaries to bid the revered monarch the final farewell, the remains of ex – President Buhari will be laid to rest today in Daura, Katsina State and the Octogenarian former governor is also expected to grace the Daura event.
However, the Pelican Valley CEO said Aremo Osoba exemplified unwavering dedication, integrity, and a profound commitment to public service, hence the need to remember him.with wishes and prayer of long life, good health and wisdom to further contribute to the development, stability and progress of Nigeria and Ogun State, while alive.
Adeyemo recalled with relish that he is benefiting immensely from the octogenarian’s exemplary leadership and enduring rural development strides, even as he wished him more blessing of long life, good health and peace of mind.
The multiple awards winning real estate practitioner added that it was also in recognition of the pivotal role Osoba’s administration played in rural electrification of which the Pelican Brief Estate and Pelican’s Ecostay Apartments at Kobape corridor of Abeokuta are beneficiaries that the longest road in the estate is named Aremo Olusegun Osoba Road in his honour.
Adeyemo stated, “By the grace of God, the longest avenue in the Estate is named after the veteran Ace reporter and elder statesman for his evergreen contribution to the rural electrification project in Kobape during his reign as the Governor of Ogun State. This is one of the reasons why we are again felicitating former Governor Aremo Olusegun Osoba on his 86th birthday because our estate is a beneficiary of his rural electrification project, done several decades ago.
“Your handiwork is with us here, without you dragging the 35KVA electricity line from the main road to where we are, we would not have been privileged to have this estate here. Baba Aremo Osoba created an opportunity about 25 years ago and one Dr. Babatunde Adeyemo is taking full advantage of that opportunity today,,that is governance at its peak. ”
“So, on this occasion of your birthday, it’s is an opportunity for us at Pelican Valley to thank God for your life. As someone who have benefited from your exemplary positive impacts and rural development initiative, we you continuous years in good health, vitality and prosperity. Thank you for your enduring rural development initiative when you presided over the affairs of the state as as the Executive Governor of Ogun State. Many happy returns of the day, more long life and good health sir.”
