A 110-year-old community leader and Asiwaju of Iraye Remo in Remo North Local Government Area of Ogun State, Sheik Saludeen Omoyele, has called on people occupying privileged positions, particularly the ruling class, to prioritize selfless service to improve the fortunes of Nigerians and move the nation forward.
Omoyele said this on Thursday while speaking with journalists during a special prayer organised by the centenarian’s family and the Muslim community to celebrate the community leader’s milestone birthday.
Omoyele maintained that people must always realise that whatever position they occupy in life was not by their making, and they cannot therefore afford not to use such opportunities to serve the greater good of the people baring in mind that they would one day render accountability before the Supreme Being.
The community leader, believed to be the oldest living person in the state, said he was surprised to be celebrating 110 years, saying he thought he would have died four years ago because he believed he was old enough to bid the world farewell.
He disclosed that “I am surprised myself that I am still alive to celebrate 110 years birthday. I thought I would have gone five or six years ago because I believed that I had lived long enough, but because it is still the wish of God, I am still very much alive. We used to be over 100 in my age group, but only two of us are still very much alive.
“I am definitely grateful to Almighty Allah for showing me this great mercy; it is never by my doing, so I am grateful to all who have taken good care of me. I thought that I wouldn’t amount to anything tangible in life, but here I am today.
“This is why everyone must know that whatever position you find yourself in is by God and should be used to serve the people and make the world better. Our political leaders must also imbibe this lesson; they are not occupying their positions by their own power, but because it pleases God, so they must be ready to serve with the fear of God, because they will certainly receive their rewards when the time comes.
“We all must bear in mind that it will end one day, and all of us will give our stewardship. My philosophy in life is: do unto others as you also want others to do unto you; what you cannot wish for your children, don’t wish others.
“I am grateful to God for his mercy, and my prayer is that when God says that it is time to go, he will grant me aljanah as one of his servants.”
Also speaking at the event, the celebrant’s 77-year-old first child, Muraina Omoyele, described his father’s rare longevity as nothing but the gift of Almighty God.
He added, “My father’s longevity is divine. I don’t think I can attribute it to anything other than the absolute will of Almighty God, and we are all grateful for that because he remains an amazing community leader and repository of knowledge.
“He is a loving person, and he is well known for always being on the side of the truth. We pray that he will celebrate many more wonderful years in the land of the living.”
The Asojuoba of Iraye Remo, Dr Emmanuel Kalejaye, also hailed the centenarian’s exemplary leadership and unparalleled commitment and love for the family and the ancient community,
He prayed that the Almighty God would further preserve him to keep serving as a huge source of inspiration and guidance to the generation coming behind.
Also speaking with journalists, Abdulrasheed Omoyele described his father as a very generous and devoted Muslim who believes that the Almighty Allah is the ultimate in the race of life.
Omoyele said, “My father does not joke with his faith in Almighty Allah; he is generous to a fault. He believes in sharing whatever he has with those in need; he believes that God owns everything, and so whatever you do, you must always do it with the fear of God, and he is a lover of the family and his community.
“We have actually organised this birthday celebration to thank God for his faithfulness and mercy because not many people think that our father can live this long, but here we are celebrating his 110th birthday, and we pray that God will further preserve him for us.”
Another relative, Mr Yomi Kalejaiye, also hailed the forthrightness of the 110-year old community leader and his love for the people, saying that he remains a source of pride to every son and daughter of Iraye Remo, and they would always pray that the Almighty God will further preserve him to celebrate many more healthy years.
The Muslim community, led by the Chief Imam of Isara Remo, Alhaji Momodu Ireyemi, and Sheikh Fadilat Labeeb, later offered prayers for Omoyele, his family, and the whole Iraye community
