How Dr. Akintunji Isaac Akinsefunmi aka Babake Celebrated His 70th Birthday in Style (Videos)
How Dr. Akintunji Isaac Akinsefunmi aka Babake Celebrated His 70th Birthday in Style (Videos)
Dr. Akintunji Isaac Akinsefunmi fondly called Babake on the 1st of March, 2022 celebrated his 70th Birthday with his family, friends and well-wishers from around the globe.
Newera News captured the moments when friends of Dr. Akintunji Isaac Akinsefunmi gathered to celebrate him.
The party which took place at the Lagos Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos started at 12 noon with guests trooping into the superbly decorated event centre with adequate security to accommodate the crème of the high echelons of the society who came to celebrate with him and family.
The event started with a red-carpet treatment and a cocktail with a live band stationed at the entrance to entertain guests.
Around 3:00 pm Babake, as he is fondly called was ushered into the hall with a special musical interlude as he danced with his wife, his children and their wives, and his grandchildren.
In his welcome address, Dr. Akintunji Isaac Akinsefunmi disclosed that they have been married for 42 solid years.
“I have been married to my wife, my heartthrob, Iyawo mi for 42 years and counting”, “our union is blessed with 3 lovely children”, he said.
Dr. Akinsefunmi humorously redefined the meaning of a BIG MAN, as he called himself a Big Man.
He said, “I am a Big Man.”A big man is a man like me, who despite all he has been through, still stands. “A big man is a man who stands with his wife through thick and thin, loving and supporting her against all odds. A big man is a man who is a father to his children in all respects, being always there for them. A big man is a humble man who respects all and sundry no matter their social status, colour or race. A big man is a man who does not run away from his responsibilities to his family, extended family, friends, colleagues, neighbours and his society”.
He took out time to thank friends and well-wishers who sacrificed their precious time to grace the occasion.
Dr. Akintunji Isaac Akinsefunmi revealed that he has served humanity at different levels for over 44 years.
He said, “It will be forty-four years this month of March 2022 that he has practised medicine and has now fully retired himself”.
“Despite all, we went through, no tribulation has been able to separate us from each other”, he said.
Babake continued and said, “those who said I will not make it to 70years have already failed”, because I’m 70years today,” “if the enemy said I will not make it, he has failed”.
He reeled out several places he had worked and travelled in his quest to serve Nigeria and humanity at large.
His Beautiful, elegant, and intelligent heartthrob, his Iyawo mi, the wife of his youth, Mrs, Caroline Funmilola Akinyosoye Akintuji was next to speak and she poured her heart out on her husband for his love, unflinching support and care to her and to the children.
She began by welcoming family members, friends colleagues, and well-wishers for coming out in their numbers to grace the occasion and making it a memorable day.
According to Mrs Akintunji, the journey to greatness was not a Bed of Roses, there were several challenges along the way as they journeyed together to become successful.
Friends of the Celebrant enjoying a sumptuous meal
She continued, “My husband and I became a pillar of support to each other as we strived together and surmounted many obstacles together”, she revealed. In an emotional laden voice, she revealed how they went through turbulent years of caring for their two children, who suddenly took ill, and all efforts to get medical solutions took them everywhere possible and where they could afford but after all the efforts, they lost the two children, she said in tears.
“And while going through the challenges of taking care of the sick children, my husband stood by me”, when other men with similar challenges would have thrown in the trowel, he encouraged me”.
Mrs. Akintunji encouraged young couples to be patient and supportive of each other.
His daughter and two sons who all flew into the country with their families also took to the podium to eulogize their father for being a loving, caring and supportive father to their mother which has really rubbed off on them resulting in who they are today. They didn’t fail to mention their father’s matchless kindness to them, family and all that met him.
The Daughter-in-law also thanked the celebrant for being so good to her and for leading by example which the sons also exemplified by being lovely and caring husbands to their wives and children.
How Dr. Akintunji Isaac Akinsefunmi aka Babake Celebrated His 70th Birthday in Style (Videos)
Some of his extended family members, friends, colleagues, and some dignitaries present took turns to reminiscent on the past and present relationships shared with the celebrant.
His biography was read by his second son, Folami, according to him, “My father, Dr. Isaac AkinsefunmiAkintunji, also so known as Teddy but popularly called Babake(BBK) was Born in 1952, to Mr. Isaiah Julius Akintunji and Mrs. Comfort Eyeola Akintunji in Ile-Oluji, Ondo State, Nigeria”.
“He attended Gboluji Grammar School, Ile-Oluji between1966 to1970, and from there he enrolled into Federal School of Science, Lagos between 1970 to 1972 and then proceeded to the College of Medicine, the University of Lagos (1972 through 1977”, he continued.
In 1978 he got married to his best friend Miss Caroline Funmilola Bolanle Akinyosoye who he met at Gboluji Grammar School, Ile – Oluji in 1969; he revealed that they had courtship for nine years and got married on 18th March 1978”.
“The marriage is blessed with children and grandchildren”. “Other institutions he attended include Royal Air-force Institute of Aviation Medicine, Farnborough, U.K. in1992; Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry (1989). King’s College, University of London, London, U.K
Federal Aviation Authority Institute of Aviation Medicine, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA. And Harvard Medical School, Physician Leadership Course.
Dr. Akintunji obtained the following qualifications: MB, BS, Certificate in Aviation Medicine, Certificate in Advanced Management.
The revered Babake has numerous work experiences as revealed here: He worked as Accounts Clerk, in the Nigerian Maritime Services, Lagos between (Jan – May 1970) and Morakinyo Adewakun & Company (June – August 1970); House Officer. Other places he also worked are the General Hospitals, Ikeja and Lagos Island Maternity and Massey Street Children Hospital, Lagos. April1977 – 78); Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) (1981 – 83);Principal Medical Officer,Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA) (March, 1983).
In 1985, he became the Chief Medical Officer at (NAA). And he rose through the ranks to the post of Deputy General Manager (FAAN), in 1995.
General Manager (Medical Services) January 1, 2000. Director of Medical Services June 1, 2000, to August 2004, In 2004, he retired as Director of Medical Services – Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) July 2004.
He became the Executive Director Operations & Medical Services, Clearline International Limited (HMO), 2005 – 2015
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Clearline International Limited (HMO)2015- 2019
He retired as Managing Director/CEO of Clearline International Limited (HMO) on December 31, 2019.
Dr. Akinsefunmi is affiliated with the Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International, Member, Nigerian Medical Association, Member, Guild of Medical Directors, Member, Aerospace Medical Association and Member, Civil Aviation Medical Association. He is also a Member, of the Quality Club of Ile –Oluji.
Many dignitaries at the occasion rejoiced with Dr. Akinsefunmi by attending the epoch-making event and presenting both cash gifts and other material gifts.
Food and drinks were served in surplus as observed by our correspondent.
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