Tributes poured in on Tuesday as family members, religious leaders, students, followers and well-wishers celebrated the Founder, Spiritual Head and Grand Imam, Shafaudeen-In-Islam Worldwide, Professor Sabit Ariyo Olagoke, JP, on his 70th birthday.
The celebration, which took place at the Shafaudeen Centre For Religious Cooperation and Tolerance (CRCT) Ultra-Modern Hall, Wakajaye, Ibadan, was organised by members of the Shafaudeen organisation
In their tributes, family members and religious leaders described the septuagenarian as a father to all, a devoted family man, and a role model to the world.
His son, Tijani Kehinde Olagoke, described him as a devoted family man who taught his children morality and godly living, and who never allowed religious discrimination.
“He is a good man every child would wish to have as a father. Anyone that comes to him in tears will leave in laughter,” he said.
Imam Abdul-Fatai Abdul-Kareem, the Mogaji Esin of Ejemu, Ejigbo, Osun State, said the celebrant had touched many lives in the extended family.
“He is a role model to the world. He is God-sent to make the world a better place,” he said, urging other religious leaders to emulate his virtues.
His daughter-in-law, Zainab Olagoke, described him as a father with a large heart, accommodating and loving.
“He did not treat me as a wife to his son, but as his daughter. I pray that Almighty Allah grants him many more years in life in good health,” she said.
Students and pupils of Shafaudeen Group of Schools, Wakajaye, Ibadan, entertained the gathering with cultural dance, adding colour to the celebration.
Delivering a speech titled “The Journey So Far And Strategic Plan For The Future,” Prof. Olagoke, who is also the Arole OgunElu, Mogaji Aare Alasa Dynasty in Ibadanland, took the gathering through the story of his life, his trials, his faith and his vision for the future.
Prof. Olagoke said living by the design of God, the Almighty Allah, remains his focus and priority.
He said to achieve this, man must be conscious of the purpose of his creation and the challenge of resistances along the human voyage of life.
According to him, along the voyage of his life, there have been emerging resistances which were easily overcome by divine protection and guidance from Almighty Allah, his Creator and Benefactor.
Recalling his journey so far, the septuagenarian spoke of being born through Caesarian Section at Adeoyo Hospital, Ibadan, in 1956, surviving a death threat in secondary school, and passing through paucity of funds to complete his tertiary education — a traumatic experience he described as characteristic of an indigent student.
He also recalled the profile of disappointment at his goal of success in his primary school days at Christ Church School II, Mapo, Ibadan, 1966-1971, and during his secondary school days at Prospect High School, Abanla, 1972-1976, where he said the jinx of being “the Senior Boy that never was” continued.
He said the same experience followed him to the University of Ife, 1977-1982, where he missed the goal of making a Distinction, and later when he was denied the opportunity of becoming Rector of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, in 2014.
Prof. Olagoke said he later discovered that the jinx of the family dynasty is “disappointment” after making so much effort, a fetter he said he is working to break and unlock for the OgunElu ancestry and posterity.
He said the coping factor through all the trials was God, who strengthened him to sail through.
Speaking on God’s vision for his creation, Prof. Olagoke said he is working towards the good of life and the good in the Hereafter, with strategic management of associated hazards for a successful life cycle.
He said he determined to achieve his goal in life through SWOT Analysis, SMART Concept and positive mindset, to achieve maximally in the areas of Culture for Integrity, Education for Civility and Professionalism, Religion for Moral Discipline and Politics for Sustainable Development, to serve God and humanity.
On his mission, he said he is working on himself for a disciplined and exemplary lifestyle, working to impact positively on people’s lives, and to be a change agent by maximising good deeds and minimising the aberrations of life.
He said his value system is anchored on living by SWOT Analysis, working proactively with his conscience for timely self-adjustment, and living by the SMART concept to ensure quality, standard and due process in all transactions.
Prof. Olagoke also reflected on his ancestry, tracing his lineage to OgunElu, son of Oba Onipode, and the history of the OgunElu Aare Alasa Dynasty, Oja’ba, Ibadan.
He said his lesson from his ancestors is on stooping to conquer, restore and preserve the ancestral heritage while working on a secured future of socio-divine royalty as a bequeathable legacy for his posterity and humanity at large.
He described himself as an accomplished Educationist, Professional Engineer and Administrator, a Religious Leader and an Ambassador of Cultural Renaissance for Development.
“I am Alhaji Engr. Prof. Sabitu Ariyo Olagoke, JP, the Arole OgunElu, Mogaji Aare Alasa, Oja’ba, Ibadanland. My maternal home is Oke Aare of Aare Latoosa,” he said.
“I am happy to felicitate with all today that we are celebrating my attaining the age of 70 years on earth — Allahu Akbar, because God is ever great! I am today being admitted into the Hall of Fame of the Septuagenarian — Alhamdulillah,” he added.
He said he would have died in 1996 when he was 40, and again in 2008 at 52, but for God’s favour, adding that God promised him more years.
His prayer, he said, is for good health, full accomplishment of his mission on earth, with long life and prosperity. The main celebration has been fixed for November 29, 2026.
