It gives me absolute joy to celebrate an iconic man, quintessential Dad’s grand ascension into the Septugenarian Club, on whose giant shoulder my siblings and I were raised with deep affection and love – Dr. Samuel Oyedokun Awolere. Given his quintessence as a father and exceptional attributes as a highly devoted family man, making the decision to pen this tribute to commemorate his attaining the platinum age of 70 was so easy.
However, finding the right words in a manner that will aptly convey his incredible role as a supportive husband and a great dad who never shirked in his responsibility to his family was rather a herculean task.My dad – fondly called AWOSAM – by many of his friends, associates, professional colleagues, and admirers had an illustrious career as a distinguished broadcast journalist with Lagos Television (LTV) where he rose through the ranks to attain the status of controller of news before his voluntary retirement from active service.
He is a man who risked it all in order to keep the ‘boat of his family’ sailing without ever capsizing. Indeed, as a young boy back then, I still vividly recalled his dangerous but necessary official assignments as a news reporter with LTV 8 that sometimes requires him travelling to difficult terrains only accessible through the waterways, especially whenever the then military governor of the state – Raji Rasaki – was visiting such difficult terrains. In the course of his meritorious service as a broadcast journalist with LTV 8, he also endeared himself to many of the loyal viewing public of the station with his ‘signature sign off’ statement whenever he was ending the casting of Yoruba news late in the evening: “Odaro, okan okan la oji”, meaning everyone viewing the news either within or outside of Lagos will wake up to the dawn of the next day.
It is also important to put on record that everything about him was not all about work. He equally loves to socialise. He had and still has a lively social circle of friends. This brings to mind his membership of a church based club – known as ‘Gbe Jesu ga’ – a group comprising a number of well exposed and esteemed personalities in our former family church back in Mushin – hitherto known as Aiyetoro Baptist Church but which will now bear Christ Dominion Baptist Church. However, in his love for socialising, he strongly upholds the cherished values of an ‘Omoluabi’. Thus, growing up under the guidance of his parenting, he never wavered to emphasise the importance of industry, integrity, uprightness, contentment, and the spirit of good neighborliness to his children. This he also combines with an unusual level of native intelligence through which he freely gives important nuggets to his children on some critical aspects of life.
There is no doubt that one enduring legacy – my dad – AWOSAM has proudly bequeathed to everyone of his children is quality education. It is no surprise therefore that none of his children holds less than a Master’s degree today, while he himself also proudly holds a doctorate degree in Yoruba literature and film studies which he obtained a few years into his retirement from public service of Lagos State. This is indeed a no small achievement. It is testament to his positive attitude of determination, intellectual prowess and fecund mind even as he advances in age. And with this fertile imagination, he has been producing different educative and informative programmes which positively project the Yoruba culture and traditions, and advances the teaching and learning of Yoruba language among the younger generation.
To be in such good health mentally, physically, and spiritually on hitting three score and ten in age is indeed an eloquent testimony of God’s unfailing grace in the life of an amiable mentor – a great dad. As a pillar and source of strength on whose shoulder dreams have been pursued and achieved, my dad – AWOSAM stands as an exceptional father – a rare breed.
Thus, on his attainment of this significant milestone in age – we – his children – celebrate his resilience, strength of character, selfless sacrifices, and unconditional love as a father. We say a happy 70th birthday to an erudite scholar of Yoruba literature and film studies, a passionate promoter of Yoruba culture and traditions, a vintage Omoluabi from the Oke-Okun region of Yorubaland, and a quintessential husband, father and grandfather.
We wish him continued good health, joy, peace and sustained prosperity, and pray that the decades ahead will bring him greater fulfillments and accomplishments.
© Emmanuel Kayode Awolere
