Recently, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, the Director and CEO of Media Career Development Network, a well respected media personality and former editor with The Punch and The Nation newspapers turned 60 years. He was well celebrated by friends and associates. Dayo Emmanuel here captures the celebration.
On Saturday, May 11, 2024, mentees of esteemed media trainer and journalist, Lekan Otufodunrin braved heavy rain to celebrate him at a reception held in his honour at the International Press Centre in Lagos.
The event, organised by his mentees, under the umbrella of a newly created group, Lekan Otufodunrin Mentees Network (LOMNET), saw a significant turnout. Attendees took the opportunity to reflect on and openly commend the celebrant for his profound impacts on their media careers.
Otufodunrin, who turned 60 on May 9th, had earlier attended a thanksgiving service on the same day at his Zonal Winners Chapel, Area Zone 3, near his residence via The Bells University, Ota, Ogun State. Many joined in the thanksgiving session.
The service, organised by his family and church members, was well attended and featured a session of testimonies about the celebrant.
His wife, Mrs. Ronke Otufodunrin, expressed her gratitude to God at the service. “I married my friend, I didn’t marry someone that would be pushing me around. God chose for me, I didn’t choose myself. I asked God for a man that has the fear of God. He’s a godly man, he is God-fearing. He doesn’t know how to say NO. He loves me and his children, he loves everyone,” she said.
Otufodunrin’s close associate and Publisher of NewDawn, a news website, Mr. Tunde Abatan, testified about their longstanding friendship.
“I thank God for today, I thank God for the wife God has given him. We met in 1987 at Abeokuta. We have been friends and brothers. All of us shall be raptured in the name of Jesus. God will satisfy you with good health, you will see your children’s children in the name of Jesus,” he prayed.
Otufodunrin’s first child, Dámilọ́lá, said at the service, “I always remember how my dad relates with my mum and that has influenced my relationship with my wife. I thank God for his life.”
Yemisi, the second child and only daughter, shared her experience of her father’s love. “As the only girl, I enjoy the daddy’s care and I never wanted to disappoint that love he has for my siblings and I,” she said.
In his comment, Femi Otufodunrin, the third child, testified to his father’s generosity. “He supported my business at the inception with ₦100,000 when it looked like it wouldn’t work,” he said. The University of Lagos-trained surveyor, now a businessman, added, “He is a dad that won’t disrupt your career choice. I thank God for his life.”
Adeola Ogunlade, a protegee who writes for The Nation newspaper, also congratulated Otufodunrin. “Happy birthday to Uncle Lekan as he clocks 60 today. What the Lord has done for us, we cannot tell it all. Sir, I am very grateful to God for sparing the life of my mentor, coach, leader, supporter, and someone I often referred to as a ‘Father.’ He is dependable and a strong believer that tomorrow will be alright. A frank professional who will guide his mentees on the path to greatness. More importantly, I celebrate the grace of God upon your life. We celebrate you because you found Christ and that changed everything about you. You will continue to blossom and flourish on every side in Jesus name,” he prayed.
Publisher of PTL News, Julius Adegunna, also sent his congratulatory message. “Happy birthday, sir. Your joy will continue to multiply. You will neither be tired nor weary. All your heart desires shall be fulfilled with no stress,” he prayed.
In his sermon at the thanksgiving service, Pastor Isaac Babatunde, appreciated God for sparing the celebrant’s life. “He is a very godly man, a family man who loves everybody,” he said. “We can count how many students have gained admission to higher institutions through him and we can count people he has helped to get jobs. He doesn’t discriminate and we pray for more fulfillment for him,” he prayed.
Mr. Jide Orintunsin, a family friend of the Otufodunrins, sent his message. “Yours have been years of positive impact on all those that met with you. You are a blessing to our noble profession of Journalism and to the body of Christ in Nigeria and the whole world. I pray that the good LORD will continue to uphold, guide, guard, and sustain you for decades ahead of you. I celebrate you, my dear brother. I declare many more fruitful and productive years ahead in the service of the Master,” he prayed.
Mr. Babatunde Olugboji, a longtime friend of the celebrant, shared his thoughts. “As Lekan marks 60, I rejoice with my friend of many decades. Your humility and consistency are remarkable traits, and from many years ago, it was clear that you would impact your generation. May your joy be full, may God’s grace continue to speak for you, may you enjoy divine health all the days of your life.”
Otufodunrin’s best man and childhood friend, Pastor Timilehin Ajayi, also expressed his gratitude to God. “My dear age-long friend and ‘twin’ brother, Lekan, I join the hosts of heaven to celebrate God’s faithfulness in your life. You’ll be blessed above all people and all that concerns you in Jesus Christ’s name. No evil shall come around your dwellings. Our God, the Almighty, shall multiply you on every side and you’ll remain blessed,” he prayed.
Pastor Benjamin Seun Sani of The Apostolic Church, Nigeria, said, “This man is not just a leader but an institution in the media industry. Knowing Uncle Lekan Otufodunrin when I was a Mass Communication student at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Eruwa Campus has been a tremendous blessing. Anytime he comes in contact with anybody, he gives an opportunity for engagement. The life of the Executive Director of Media Career Services is so simple that he finds it difficult to turn down invitations whether free, volunteer, or paid event. Deacon Otufodunrin looks for opportunities to learn or share something with people,” he said.
Publisher of Providence Magazine, Gracious Akintayo, described Otufodunrin as a boss and pastor to him. “My Oga, Egbon, Ore, Asiwaju, Mentor, Adviser, Pastor, Inspiration, Trainer, Model, etc. A highly respected, cerebral, honored, influential, and celebrated Nigerian journalist and a true example of practical and responsible Christianity, as he celebrates 60 blessed and fruitful years of life today. Please, join me to celebrate God’s goodness, grace, and glory in the life of this quintessential Man of God with many parts.”
Another longtime associate, Mrs. Jumoke Orintunsin, said, “Diamonds are forever. As you celebrate your 60th year on earth, every blessing that God has given you shall be forever. Your peace, health, joy, marriage, wealth, and children shall be forever in Jesus’ name. Enter into your season of ceaseless fortune. Happy Diamond birthday, ore.”
Justina Asishana, Otufodunrin’s mentee and The Nation newspaper’s Correspondent in Niger State, also wished him well on his birthday. “Happy Birthday, Uncle Lekan. May the grace of God continue to be with you. I wish you more blissful years, Sir.”
Another mentee, Oluwatobi Oyetunde, described Otufodunrin as an exceptional leader. “Happy birthday to an exceptional leader and mentor who embodies professionalism, dedication, and kindness. May this new year and the coming years bring you continued success and happiness. Cheers to many more years,” he prayed.
Mrs. Appolonia Adeyemi, a senior journalist at the New Telegraph newspaper in Lagos, also wished the celebrant well. “Bro Lekan, I wish you many happy returns of the day. Congratulations, too. May God sustain your blessings. Best wishes always!” she said.
In his response at the church service, Otufodunrin, full of appreciation to God and the participants, said, “I want to thank God for today, it is the Lord’s doing and it is marvelous in our eyes. I thank God I’m marking 60, and my mother is right here sitting down.” He then burst into thanksgiving in a Yoruba song, “Ara e dide e ba mi jọ.”
Appreciating God for his victory over sickness, he said, “I thank God for all the people that have stayed with me. Two years ago I was sick and it felt like it was over, but God brought me back. I thank God for all He has done for me. I thank God for everybody, my wife and family, friends. I thank God for you all.”
Later in the evening of 9th May, a Zoom meeting was held in his honor to enable friends, associates, and mentees in Lagos and in the diaspora to participate. The well-attended event featured testimonies about the life and career of Otufodunrin, who to many is a synonym for help, guidance, and goodwill.
Credit: Nationalwire.com
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