Showers of Encomium As Community Leader, Elder Sunday Oniya Turns 60.

By Charles Segun Adegbite 

Joining the club of sexagenarians is worthy of celebration. This was the reason Elder Sunday Michael Oniya, a veteran automobile businessman and one of the community leaders in Ifesowapo CDC Area, Lalu Estate, Sagamu, Ogun State, organised a birthday party to celebrate his diamond age last Sunday, May 12; having turned 60 on Friday, May 10.

  Elder & Mrs Oniya: Cutting the Diamond Cake

The ceremony, held inside The Apostolic Church Nigeria, Oluwatosin Assembly, Ayegbami District, Sagamu Area, LAWNA Territory, after the church service, created an opportunity for those who know him to make public what they can testify about his character.

It turned out to be a day of accolades for him as church and family members, friends and associates, colleagues in business and trade union, co-landlords in his domiciled community, and well wishers who got the opportunity to speak there, showered encomia heavily on him.

The celebrant, his wife and Comrade Alesinloye

Notable among those who poured accolades on him for his strength of character is a retired Senior Nursing Officer of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, OOUTH, and Chairman of Irawo Owuro Community Development Association, Offin, Sagamu, Mr Adebowale Sanni.

He eulogized the celebrant, who is the General Secretary of the Irawo Owuro CDA, for his reliability, selfless service,  commitment and contributions to the development of the community.

            Mr Sanni: Irawo Owuro CDA Chairman.

He pointed out a lot of efforts this man has made along with him and few other leaders of the community, towards making life bearable for the residents, without being paid a dine for such community services.

His trade union colleagues from the Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), Makun, Sagamu, led by the NATA Secretary, Comrade Tunde Banjo, also poured accolades on him.

An elder in the church, Comrade Samuel Alesinloye and some other church members who got the opportunity to speak also eulogised him on his contributions to the church development.

Both his sister-in-law and the intimate friend of his wife, Mrs Folake Osin and Mrs Shola Soyemi took turns to explained their reserved respect for him, as a man of impeccable character who always abstain from hurting people.

They emphasized that they never heard from his wife that he maltreated her once.

His eldest son, an economist and accountant, Mr Lekan Oniya, while testifying about the good character his father inculcated in them, spoke in Yoruba, which in English Language means: "Dad, I'm proud of the way you brought us up. You inculcated in us such virtues as punctuality at work and keeping every appointment with time consciousness.

L-R: Mr Oniya, his mother-in-law, Elder Oniya
& Wife (in white attires) and Mrs. Oniya.

              

"While growing up from childhood to adulthood, even when I left school till today, I never saw you beating my mum at all, neither did I ever hear you talking ill of her or reporting her to any of us, your children.

Dad, I'm proud of the way you brought us up. You inculcated in us such virtues as punctuality at work and keeping every appointment with time consciousness.

"You always told me, 'remember the son of who you are' And that always rings bell in my subconscious mind and help me to behave well, wherever I am.

   "The good parenting and the example you laid down for us as a father has been helping me in my marriage," he explained. 

   

Likewise his wife, Mrs Toyin Bolanle Oniya didn't mince words in telling the congregants and guests, how their love affairs started in 1986 before leading to marriage.

She boldly explained the way he has been treating her to ensure that she never regretted marrying him. This, she attributed to his tolerance and maturity in handling both his wife's or other people's weaknesses. 

Mrs. F. T. Onajobi: A senior Nursing Officer
& One of Irawo Owuro community leaders.

Mrs Sanni, a staffer of OOUTH and member
 of Irawo Owuro community, at the event.

After the cutting of the birthday cake, the celebrant expressed gratitude for the accolades he received and their expressions of love through their turnouts in the church, among others.

  Elder Oniya who was born on May 10, 1964 in Ijare, Ondo State, where he hailed from, later grew up, married and settled down in Sagamu for some decades now.

Elder Oludare Akande: He anchored
 the program successfully.

  The ceremony,  anchored by one of the elders in the church, Elder Oludare Akande, ended well with thanksgiving in the church auditorium. The real merriment also continued thereafter in his house, as people gathered to wine and dine with him there.

  

Wife of the celebrant, Mrs. Oniya and her sister.

A few of his many friends and associates who attended the church ceremony included: Alhaji Yisa Adebayo 

(a.k.a Olowo), Mr Jimoh Abiodun Azees (a.k.a. Oni Reason), Comrade Samuel Alesinloye, a veteran nurse in the community, Mrs F.T. Onajobi, Mr Olumide Makinde and many others.

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