Glowing Tributes as Mrs. Olusola Oyeleye Celebrates 70th Birthday

To hit a 70 year mark alive in good health and sound mind is no mean feat. No one can do it for him or herself. It can only be by God. It was therefore not out of place when her husband, children, siblings, friends and well-wishers joined Princess Lady Evangelist Lydia Olusola Oyeleye, (Nee Adegunna) in Ilesa, Osun State, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025 on the occasion of her 70th birthday.

To her, it was not meant to be a noisy celebration but to accord the honour to God who has made all things good and beautiful for her and her family. By the time all the arrangements were concluded, the family were all prepared and rallied round her to make the day a special one to remember for a long while.

The day was opened for her by a team of trumpeters from Ilesa who woke her up with the usual Happy Birthday beats and sounds. The children and those who were around later joined her as she received a birthday cake from her first daughter Bukola. It featured a session of dance to the melodious music and sound provided by the trumpeters.

It was followed by the second phase which was a Holy Communion Service right inside their home, presided over by Revd. Falola who stood in for Ven Olugbenga Olasoji, the Senior Minister in charge of Bishop Falope Memorial Anglican Church, of Omi Asoro Area of International Breweries side of Ilesa.

The Communion service was attended by the husband, a foremost educationist and a retired School Principal, Elder James Abiola Oyeleye, the children and her siblings including the publisher of PTL News, Julius Adegunna, close neighbours, friends and associates.

The priest in her admonition stated many reasons why Mrs. Oyeleye had the cause to appreciate God at 70 years, noting that not very many people are privileged to live up to seventy years. He therefore enjoined her to continue to live her life for God in appreciation of what God has done for her, adding that God would continue to do more.

He later led some of the members of the congregation to pray for the celebrant and her family.

After the Holy Communion Service came the modest reception having close friends and family around within their residence.

At the reception the floor was opened for the guests to pay tribute to the celebrants. In their tributes mentions were made of the kind gestures extended to all that were close to her.

To the children she was seen as an uncompromising, yet a generous disciplinarian, a loving and caring mother. To her colleagues in the house of God, she was seen as a godly woman of God, who easily opens her hands to the things of God. Her neighbours described her as somebody who is also interested in the growth and development of others. Her siblings saw her as a guiding light in the family showing light to all that are following her as a father figure and role model in the family.

Her husband in his remarks saw her as a gift from God, noting that in their almost 50 years of relationship, God has been using her as a dependable help mate. He prayed she would live long to enjoy more the fruits of her labour.

Mrs. Lydia Oyeleye, a retired teacher, mother and grandmother, was born in Ikeji Ile by Pa James and Mrs. Alice Adegunna. She attended St. Jude’s Primary School, and Esa Oke Grammar School, Teacher Training College and College of Education. She served and retired with Osun State Teaching Service in June 2015 at the mandatory 60 years retirement age.

She is also an evangelist and a Lay Reader with the Anglican Church under St. John’s Cathedral, Iloro, Ilesa, Osun State. She is married to her loving husband Elder James Abiola Oyeleye and they are blessed with wonderful children and grandchildren.

On the list of guests at the birthday events were Bishop Akorede Okuyelu from Osogbo Diocese, Mr. and Mrs. Haastrup, Chief and Mrs. Akingbade, Baba Tolani, Evang. (Mrs.)  Olusola, Mr. and Mrs. Diran Folowosele, Mr. and Mrs. Ogunleye, Mr. Fayemi, Mrs. Ogunniran, Mrs. Taiye Ogunyemi, Mrs. Onigbogi, Mrs. Awe, Mr. and Mrs. Micky Egbelola, Mrs, Efuntayo and family members of Oyeleye and Adegunna of Ikeji Ile Ijesa.

My Words for My Sister @ 70

Wednesday, June 11, 2025 was her birthday. She turned 70, and once that was what she wanted, we had no choice but to give it to her. We joined her to celebrate it, and it was a modestly celebrated one, giving all the glory to God, the source of all good things.

Despite a very tight day, I had to leave Lagos a bit late on Tuesday, and I thank God for journey mercies from Lagos to Ilesa, the venue of the celebration. I attended a function of a Church which I have a lot of respect for. I also got to Ilesa very late. I got to Ilesa about 12 midnight and I did not reach my sisters place until about 2.00am. My sister did not sleep until she saw me, very late indeed.

She deserved my presence to join her husband and the children to make her very happy. It wasn’t a very loud Owambe, but the day must be marked, we concluded she must be celebrated, and indeed she was well celebrated in her own presence.

Now my tribute.

I cannot say everything I know about her, and the things I have gained from her all here. I enjoy what God has done to make me her kid brother. Her fore running presence has been a guide to my life. I cannot forget her inspiring role model impact in my life. Yes, she was one of the sources of my academic success in those days. Her presence made things easier and better. Many of my old school mates would allude to my brilliance and academic successes of those days. God used her to lead the road for me to make the journey a very smooth one.

She was indeed far ahead of me in age. We have a gap which could accommodate two others between us, but I remain her immediate brother.

As an inspiration, I knew how I used to go through her books in my growing years in my school days, when she was studying for WASC, I used to work with her question papers and by the time I was to sit for WASC, I found myself in a familiar terrain, and I cleared all my papers at one sitting in flying colours.

I cannot also forget, when our results were being delayed and people were registering for the following year, my sister gave me cash to get registered. Just when I was about to register, our results were released, I came out in flying colours. I cleared all the papers. I showed her my results and presented the money she gave me for registration to her. She told me to take the money. She has always remained selfless, loving and caring, even till this day.

Even though a woman, her leadership role and impact in our big family is also another record which makes her to earn our collective honour and respect. She is another Ojo Dada, my father’s popular code in our town Ikeji Ile. She is extremely responsible, caring and generous. She is a woman of honour and integrity.

As she has celebrated a milestone, my prayer is for her to celebrate many more in the land of the living, and in good health to enjoy the fruits of her labour, and for God to bless me to make her happy too, in return.

Happy birthday ma, Mama Oye, Princess Evangelist Lydia Olusola Oyeleye, (Nee Adegunna), a distinguished teacher and a leader, a prayer champion and counsellor of no mean repute, a role model indeed, Omo Baba Adegunna, Omo Akereyeni bi Olomo, Omo Osupa se bi ere w’olu. We love you dearly. God bless you, and many happy returns of the day.

 

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