Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, July 29, celebrates the co-founder of the BOVAS Group, Architect Bamidele Samson and the wife of former Chief Judge of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs.) Adetokunbo Ayorinde, as they clocked 80 years on earth, becoming octogenarians.
The governor, who congratulated the celebrants in separate events held at the Cathedral of St James the Great, Oke Bola, Ibadan and at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, stated that at 80, the duo had impacted on the society and done well for themselves.
In a statement by Mr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Makinde, while congratulating Chief (Mrs.) Ayorinde, prayed to God to preserve her life to celebrate 100 years and beyond.
At the reception held in honour of the BOVAS co-founder, the governor hailed Architect Samson for contributing positively to the development of Oyo State and Nigeria through his business, stating that the celebrant has given back to the society in various ways.
According to the governor, the excellent credentials of BOVAS made it beholden to the Oyo State government, which awarded the construction of the 500,000 Litres Aviation Fuel Storage and Dispensing Facility at the Ibadan Airport, to the company and the project was completed in record time.
He said: “On behalf of the government and the people of Oyo State, I wish you many happy returns. You will live long to celebrate 100 years in good health and for the development of our country.
“Some of us don’t know that the celebrant is from Osun State. In Ibadan and Oyo State, we all know BOVAS, not just that we know BOVAS in terms of business, but in terms of giving back to the society. He is based in Ibadan and he has given so much back to the society.
“When you are doing business, you don’t need to hide your name, you will be proud to put your name. So, BOVAS has done well and so much for us here that one day when we were talking about aviation fuel facility for our airport here in Ibadan, I told my people, don’t go to Lagos, don’t go to anywhere, go to BOVAS and sit down with them and negotiate the aviation fuel facility, and it was completed in record time.”
Earlier in his sermon at the Holy Communion and thanksgiving church service to mark the 80th birthday of Mama Ayorinde, the Bishop of Ibadan Diocese, Anglican Communion, Most Reverend (Dr) Joseph Akinfenwa, appreciated the celebrant for being part of the solution to the younger generation.
He equally commended the administration of Governor Makinde for his morality in governing the affairs of the state, stressing that history would never forget him.
“If peradventure the constitution of the country will give room for a third term, you will surely win. Forget that PDP is here today, or SDP or APC. You have outstood all of them.”
Both events had in attendance top government functionaries, traditional leaders, and captains of industry.
