The power of little begining was the focal point of discussion yesterday during the annual birthday celebration of the immediate past commissioner for Health in Ogun State cum Consultant to World Health Organization, Dr Babatunde Ipaye.

Eminent personalities including the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, Oba Lawrence Jayeoba Adebajo, Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State, Prof Arigbabu, Otunba Olaide Osifeso, Pa Sam Ogunye, Apagun Biyi Adeleye, Prof Adebiyi amongst others gathered to celebrate the 53rd birthday celebration at Sopen Comprehensive High School, Ijebu Igbo.

Ipaye while addressing the gathering recalled the ordeals of growing up in the ancient town of Ijebu Igbo, where he had resigned to fate of becoming a Shoemaker when his parents could not afford paying his WAEC and JAMB fees. He acknowledged the efforts of Organizations, Clubs and Personality who came to his rescue by providing him with two thousand naira yearly scholarship which saw him out of the University where he bagged First Class Degree in Medicine.

He furthered that he resigned his automatic job opportunity offered by Ogun State Government to first appreciate the constituents of the town that helped him soar, by rendering services at Victory Hospital Ijebu Igbo before establishing his a year after.

In their respective address, the Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Ogun State, Prof Arigbabu commended the celebrant for having it in mind to remember his humble begining and rendering help to indigents but brilliant students through his yearly scholarship. He noted that the Celebrant could afford gathering his friends and families together to merry and ignore his humble begining which emanated from the power of little donation given to him in 1986. Also the Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, Oba Lawrence Jayeoba Adebajo, let loose his joy as he showered prayers on the Celebrant and Family for investing massively on younger generation over the past 13 years through his foundation, Ajoke Ipaye Foundation. He thereafter charged other financially capacitated individuals to emulate such human investment especially amongst Ijebu Igbo indigenes. With the support of Monarchs, the Orimolusi confirmed the Chieftaincy title to be bestowed on Ipaye as the Otunba Atunluse of Ijebu Igbo, as suggested and recommended by the Chairman of the occasion, Otunba Olaide Osifeso.

Presenting the cheques to beneficiaries, Oba Olokine Ojowo stated how he and his family were challenged by the good gesture of the Ipaye Foundation, which made him and his family began their foundation targetted at secondary schools students who are exceptionally brilliant in Ijebu Igbo. Other monarchs who presented cheques to the beneficiaries include Orimolusi of Ijebu Igbo, Sopen Lukale of Oke Sopen, Kegbo of Atikori and Abijaparako of Japara.

The beneficiaries include Alowolodu Ibrahim studying Micro Biology at OOU, Esther Kehinde studying Microbiology at OOU, Adeyemi Adedayo studying Mathematics at OOU, Nafiu Taiwo studying Biochemistry at OOU, Akeso Zainab studying Accounting at TASUED, each was awarded with a 250,000 naira scholarship which will be given till they graduate form their respective institution. Five other beneficiaries were awarded 125,000 each which will also be given throughout their academic pursuit in their Universities.

Ajoke Ipaye Foundation which was founded in the year 2010 had benefited over 50 University graduates whose tuition were paid from their 100 level in the University to their final year including those who also proceeded for their Masters and PhDs both locally and internationally including Dr Adebayo Sakiru in Canada, who presently is an Associate Professor of English Language. According to Deacon Jayesimi, the co-ordinator of the foundation, that of 2023 is the 13th Edition of the Scholarship award. He reiterated that, some other beneficiaries are still in their various Schools whose fees are paid as at when due running into millions of Naira yearly.

Also at the events include the BejeRoku of Oke Agbo, a former council chairman Hon Mojeed Oladele Ekelojumati, Mrs Omotara, Hon Sylvester Abiodun, Otunba Bayo Ogunbanjo, Hon Kayode Alowosile, Hon Korede Osifeso, Hon Babatunde Ogunfuye, Hon Adeleye of Ogun State Teaching service commission, Mrs Oyesanya of Zonal Education office, Hon Olasile Imoru, a former leader of the legislative council in Ijebu North Local Government, Past Councillors, Politicians amongst others.