Kunle ADELABU
Radiant celebrant, Alhaja Olajumoke Erogbogbo cutting the celebration cake in Ikorodu on Sunday
The family of Erogbogbo from far and near as well as friends, associates and well wishers gathered at the Government Reserved Area (GRA) home of Engr. Lookman Erogbogbo to celebrate his wife, Alhaja Olajumoke Erogbogbo, as she joined the Septuagenarian club.
The celebration
The radiant celebrant was seen everywhere with smiles on her face as she moved around to acknowledge greetings and cheers from her family members and important guests who had all come to rejoice with her.
Many family members and guests spoke glowingly about the celebrant whom they described as a disciplinarian, caring, dutiful and good mother.
It was a colorful and memorable occasion as guests and well-wishers were treated to a five star entertainment with more than enough varieties of foods and assorted drinks to go round.
Speaking on her attainment of 70 years of age, Alhaja Erogbogbo stated that her new age afforded her the opportunity to reflect on her past.
“Attaining the age of 70 is not an easy task. Attaining the age as a married woman and unmarried woman are different ball games. Attaining the age as a married woman is not easy. It entails looking back on the type of life you lived when you were younger, when you were married, when you married to a man of your choice, living well, having children, understanding, steadfastness and trust”.
The celebrant, who was looking younger than her age, described her husband as the source of her good living and radiant look at 70.
“I always tell people that age is in the mind. I am 70 today but see me still looking radiant and full of happiness. This is because I trained my mind to be happy and younger. I am very grateful to Almighty God for giving me a very good man as a husband .
“My husband is so nice and I am happy that I’m married to him. Not so many people have the joy of having a peaceful life at 70 but I have it and I am enjoying it with the support of my husband.
“My secret is my husband’s support. He is a very nice man. If not for him, I wouldn’t be looking radiant at 70. My secret is my husband. He is caring and loving. That is my secret.
“I use this medium to tell Allah to prolong his life for me in harmony so that we can enjoy ourselves longer than this”.
While comparing her upbringing with that of the youths of nowadays, she stated :
“In our own time, we had good parents and we were well taught and we made good use of the lessons given to us. But nowadays, we are only committing the children in the hands of God to help us to guide them because you cannot compare our era with theirs. In our time, there were disciplines and morals”.
Engr Lookman Olusola Erogbogbo, the husband of the celebrant, described her wife of over 40 years as a wonderful woman who cannot be replaced.
“She has been a very wonderful wife. She has no replacement and I thank Almighty Allah for her life.
He advised couples of nowadays to be patient with one another.
“They should be tolerant because most people see us today happily together but a lot of water has passed through the bridge. Marriage requires a very long time to achieve understanding. We have been married since 1976.
“Couples of nowadays need to be patient with themselves”.
Abimbola Lawal, daughter of the celebrant, in her own remarks, stated:
“Mummy is fantastic and she is the best mother anybody can have. She is caring, loving and strict for better. She is just the best. I wish her many more years in good health.
Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, celebrant’s in-law, while also speaking about the celebrant, stated:
“Attaining 70 years of age is a long journey and it has been a life journey for Alhaja Erogbobo. I want to thank God for her life. I always see her as a young girl; pretty woman; energetic and caring woman both at home and in the way she relates with people”.
He also described her as the strong woman of the Erogbogbo’s house.
“I must tell you, she is a man in the house of Erogbogbo and not a woman and I appreciate her any day, any time. She is my best friend.
“I am not celebrating with her but celebrating her. She has been a good mother in the house of Erogbogbo and we appreciate her for everything she has done for the family”.
Mr Dele Mohammed Jimoh, celebrant’s husband’s friend, also spoke on her virtues.
“Mama Jimbo is a great woman. She is very transparent and a mother indeed. We have been together for a long time and I have not seen her with any blemish from . She is always happy, smiling and full of life. I congratulate and wish her many more years ahead”.
Mr Afolabi Okusanya, celebrant’s brother, described her as a wonderful sister and mother.
“She was a wonderful sister to me while I was growing up and she also acted as a mother to all her siblings . She is strict, dutiful and always saying the truth at all time. I wish her the very best in life. She is just 70 and she is definitely going to celebrate many more years in life”.
Mrs Karimat Iyaniwura, another daughter of the celebrant, , also commended her good virtues.
“She is a good mother, a friend, a disciplinarian and she is fantastic. I want to tell her that I love her very much. I pray that she lives longer in good health so that we will continue to take care of her the way she took care of us when we were growing up”.
Master Oluwatumininu Lawal, celebrant’s grandchild, in his own remarks, stated:
“She is very fun to be with and at same time, very strict. I wish her long life”.
Photography credit: Fotovisions
