Wale Jagun
It was a 3 days of memorable grand celebration for Elder (Oloye) Emmanuel Olawale Adelabu, the Olukotun of Lanlate town in Oyo State, Southwest, Nigeria, as children, family members and friends celebrated the life of the educationist, administrator, church leader, Community developer and traditional leader who clocked 80 years in grand style on Thursday, April 28, 2022.
Heralding ‘Baba’, as the revered celebrant is fondly called, entry into the Octogenarian Club was a well planned and executed early morning surprise performance by a traditional music group which woke the retired teacher up from his sleep with his favourite songs of praises and thanksgiving, which he normally sings to appreciate ‘Eledumare’ in his life.
As requested by him, a Special Birthday/Communion Service was also held at the Adelabus’ country home at Ita-Oluwo where the celebrant is a chieftain of the Liberty Estate Community Development Association (CDA).
Rt. Revd. Ezekhial Adeleke Adetoro, Bishop, The African Church, Lagos West Missionary Diocese, led the service with other clergies from The African Church and the First Baptist Church in attendance.
Family members and few friends joined the celebrant in the celebration.
The celebration continued on Friday, April 29, as children, grandchildren and other family members converged to share the great moment with the Baba Adelabu as they marked his membership of the Octogenarian Club amidst pomp and joy.
The grand celebration peaked on Saturday, April 30, with a reception party as members of the Adelabu family from Lanlate, Ibadan as well as from different parts of Lagos joined those in Ikorodu to celebrate Octogenarian Adelabu.
But it wasn’t all about partying and merrying on that day as another special 80th birthday service was held during which ‘Baba’ read Psalm 34 from the Holy Bible and also sang various songs of praise.
The service also witnessed testimonies from wife, children, church members, friends and Community Development Association (CDAs) who all gave glowing accounts of Pa Adelabu’s life and personality, after which they joined him in cutting the 80th birthday cake for the second time in three days.
The Octogenarian was a former student of Wesley College, Ibadan and University of Ibadan.
He taught in many schools in Ibadan, lkorodu and other parts of Lagos between 1964 to 1980 after which he joined the School Management Committee (SMC) as a Finance Officer. He was the Assistant Head of Supply and Finance.
The School Management Committee later metamorphosed into the Local Government Education Authority (LGEA), where he also worked for many years before he was transferred back to school by the government.
He served as Head Teachers of the U.N.A Primary School, Igbalu, Aga Primary School, Ikorodu and Modupe Primary School, Shomolu, Lagos and retired in 1999.
As a religious man, Elder Emmanuel Adelabu was a Choir Practice Coordinator, African Bethel Church ( The African Church Bethel Cathedral), Ikorodu, Licenced Lay Reader/Preacher 1977 – 2002, Secretary, Lay Readers’ Association 1977 – 2002, Member, Parish Council(now Cathedral Council) of the Church 1983 till date, Assistant Paris Secretary 1983 – 1989, Building Committee Member 1977, Assistant secretary, Building Committee 1977 – 1980 and Secretary, Building Committee 1981 – 2015.
Baba Adelabu was the First and longest Archdeaconry Secretary, African Bethel Church, Ikorodu 1986 – 2002, Member, Lagos Division Council 1986 – 2002, Member, National Conference, The African Church 1986 – 2002, Diocesan Committee Member, Member, General Committee, The African Church 1986 – 2002.
The Octogenarian, who was certified as an Evangelist of The African Church in 2002, was also Member, African Church Management of the Church’s Nursery and Primary School (2001 – 2009), Bursar of the School (2001 – 2006), Treasurer (2007) and its Head Teacher (2008 – 2009) before he resigned in 2009 due to ill health.
The celebrant, who is Lay Reader/General Lay Reader of the Church, is also one of the founders of the Emmanuel African Church, Lanlate.
He was installed as the Olukotun of Lanlate in 2013.
