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The validation and solidarity of friends and well-wishers continued to characterize the life of a seasoned journalist, publisher and editor-in-chief of THE CONCLAVE (online daily), Mr. Sufuyan Ojeifo, who turned 58 on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.
A retired Permanent Secretary, Federal Civil Service, Ernest Umakhihe (PhD), a Director, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Sanjo Faniran (PhD), a retired Director, then Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Mr. David Adeosun and a former Special Assistant to the Presidency and intrepid columnist, Tunde Olusunle (PhD) just paid tribute to the editorial professionalism of Mr. Ojeifo on the occasion of his birthday.
Umakhihe wrote: “…I take this opportunity to wish a renowned media guru a belated 58th birthday. I share the joy of the moment as you continue to light up the rails. Congratulations, my brother.”
“Congratulations on your birthday, my dear friend. May the good Lord keep you and grant you a long life in the peace of God and in good health in the name of Jesus. Happy birthday. Long life and prosperity in good health,” Faniran said.
Adeosun wrote this short and powerful prayer: “Happy birthday, sir. Continue to age gracefully and enjoy the fruits of your labor.”
Surprisingly, the path of the trio of Umakhihe, Faniran and Adeosun crossed that of Ojeifo at the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, where he was then the Special Assistant (Media and Communication) to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba.
Read Olusunle: “Sincere congratulations on your birthday, my brother… Thank you for your good work in advancing the frontiers of our profession. You have repeatedly demonstrated professionalism and courage in your editorial preferences. I wish you many more decades of good health and happiness.”
Below are the full eulogies of several other prominent Nigerians:
A former Commissioner for Communications in Edo State, Barrister Andrew Emwanta wrote: “Happy birthday sir. May God lift you to greater heights. In 1998, as a journalist with the Vanguard newspaper, you were one of the few investigative journalists who inaugurated the new civilian administration of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo. Back then, I was a regular reader of your articles on political happenings in Edo. Be assured that you hold a special place in the hearts of those who appreciate balanced reporting and time-tested media excellence. Your generation of Nigerian journalists is gradually leaving the scene and one can only pray for your good health and general well-being as you gradually enter the club of elders. Best wishes, sir.”
A businesswoman, Nsikak Umoh wrote, “Happy Birthday to a prolific writer and a great man of inestimable value, I wish you a happy birthday filled with endless blessings and love from God. You are an inspiration to everyone around you. You touch so many lives with joy and you deserve to have your deepest wishes and dreams come true on your Special Day. I hope you continue to love life and never stop dreaming. This is my birthday wish for you. You deserve all the happiness in the world. My sincere prayers for you are that your secret prayers are answered…”
A Naval Officer, A. Moses, said: “Sufuyan Ojeifo, you are a very generous and philanthropic person. You are a man with a heart of gold and diamond. May the heavens and earth celebrate this awesomeness. We are privileged to have met you on this planet. A species like yours comes once in a century. Oj, as Awoniyi of blessed memory called him, is a homo sapiens with millions of births. The womb in which you incubated for 290 days is precious; the breasts you sucked were priceless. The warm hands that caressed you were golden. In the words of Allan Rufus, “Hard work does not go unnoticed and one day the rewards will come.” You have worked hard and are still working hard. Very, very soon, your name will be announced worldwide. Like the proverbial cat, with nine lives, you have walked through the shadows of death and graves in the course of your passionate profession. On those occasions, you did not care who was the gored ox. Sometimes I wonder where your confidence comes from. It can only be God and only God. To the extent that you represent the truth that is God, He will continue to be your shield. Congratulations!”
Former Champion Newspaper editor Andy Ezeani added a touch of humour to the applause when he wrote: “OJ, happy birthday. Please add me to the list of those you are taking to Granada for the party. I have to go away from Nigeria for a while. Have a wonderful year.”
Former Acting Director General of NTA, Mr. Sola Atere, sent this message: “Congratulations, Sufuyan, on your birthday. You truly have reason to thank God. May you live to celebrate more of His blessings, mercies and favors on your life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Former NDIC Board Member, Honourable Simon Ogie described Sufuyan Ojeifo as a consummate journalist, who is both soft-spoken and highly fruitful. He wished the celebrant all the best and prayed that he grows old gracefully.
The Chief Medical Director of the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Uselu-Benin, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, commended Ojeifo’s passion for his craft as a journalist, even as he described him as a Cicero of Nigerian journalism for his use of the English language as a medium to interrogate societal ills or enhance human and community development in his reporting. He prayed that God Almighty would continue to protect him in the pursuit of his endeavours.
The post Sufuyan Ojeifo @58: Ernest Umakhihe, Sanjo Faniran, David Adeosun, Tunde Olusunle, Andy Ezeani and others send greetings and praise the celebrant’s editorial professionalism appeared first on TheConclaveNg.
