How Ajadi’s Birthday Celebrations Led Adults To Near Tears At Ibara

It was supposed to be a thing of celebration and glass klinking, but the birthday celebrations of Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi today led many to almost shedding tears.

The gubernatorial candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the last election had chosen to celebrate the birthday in a most symbolic way, not in his home alone or with just family members, friends and associates.

He took the ceremony to the Ibara Correctional Centre located in the Ogun State capital of Abeokuta.

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You needed to see the reaction of those in custody at the centre as the Ajadi team for the birthday celebrations landed in their premises, bringing goodies, in food and drinks, cash gifts, in message of hope, and to wit, a football match that freed them for hours, to showcase their talents and grit; generally, the privilege to mingle with those coming from outside.

The announcement that there would much to eat and drink for everybody, was greeted with shouts of excitement and a beam of smiles on their faces. Much more, the august visitor paid fines for four in custody, perfecting their freedom, sealing an eventual release from incarceration not later than next week.

The four inmates that he paid for to get their freedom are Dare Lawal, Damilola Opebi, Shina Oyebola, and Oluwasegun Ayobami.

There were personal prizes for, best behaved male, best behaved female, cash awards for the two teams that played the novelty match as well as donation of two sets of jersies.

The celebrant, Ambassador Ajadi, poses with members of the organising committee

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Earlier, while addressing them, Ambassador Ajadi had urged them not to lose hope, but believe that someday, they would leave the correctional centre to continue normal lives in the society.

He admonished them never to think there was no reason to be thankful because of their momentary condition.

“Let me give you one reason: There is a wise saying, that a living dog is better than a dead lion. A living dog is better than a dead lion. And if you are alive today, you can be great tomorrow.

“Let me also remind you that one of the most respected Nigerian statesman, who is also from Ogun State, and former Army General, and later president of the country, our father, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo had been in prison

“Nelson Mandela, who later became South African President, and one of the greatest African statesmen also served prison terms.

“But you know what? These men behaved themselves in prison”, he reminded them saying they should also behave well in custody so that their expected return to normal life could happen faster. .

Ajadi also used the opportunity to urge the government to improve the conditions of the prisons, so that they could continue to play their role as correctional centres and not punitive ones.

The birthday boy, Ambassador Ajadi, assisted by his wife, Mrs Oyindamola Ajadi and others, cutting the birthday cake

He decried a situation whereby bed bugs and other discomforting things were allowed to fester in correctional centres and prisons, saying that this should not be so.

Providing a background to the visit, Ambassador Ajadi stated: “I told myself that my birthday this year would not be complete if I do not come to celebrate with you and to share these few words of encouragement. “It is a token of the love that I have for you, and indeed for all human beings, because it is God that created all of us.

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“If me a human being can remember you, then God remembers you, even in prison.

“What we are praying for in our country, is for good leadership. Yes, you have made a mistake, but the conditions here can be better;

“It should help to reform you, to be able to come back to the large society better, but if the conditions in the prisons are not conducive, then it has become punishment rather than reformation.

“So, I use this opportunity to call on the governments, to please, make the conditions of our prisons better.

“Not a place where inmates would be battling bed bugs and other terrible conditions. Let prison conditions be better”.

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At long last, when it was time to go, leaving these friends behind was not particularly easy for those in the team. Nonetheless ,the milk of human kindness that had flowed from just a single individual remained very instructive

Someone was forced to ask rhetorically, how will our society be if many people could have this kind of heart for others in trouble, remember them and actually show this kind of love?

The question was both deep and instructional for all birthday celebrations.