A philanthropist, Femi Ogunjumelo, has saluted General Olu Bajowa(rtd), who clocked 80 years on Sunday.
In a statement he personally signed and released to the public, Ogunjumelo, a U.S based laywer, praised General Bajowa for his services to the Nigerian nation while serving in the military where he rose to become a Major General before bowing out of service in 1980.
Barrister Ogunjumelo, who is the founder of Waterways Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing potable water to the rural people of Ondo South, praised Bajowa, who doubles as the Jagunmolu of Ikaleland, for the selfless services he has been rendering to the people of Ikaleland over the years.
Ogunjumelo said General Bajowa is a colosal figure who deserves to be celebrated every now and then, saying he has given Ikale people so much and he is not tired now that he is even an Octogenarian.
“On behalf of my family, I celebrate Baba Bajowa on his attainment of 80 years of age. Here is wishing him many more years in good health and comfort,” he said.
”General Bajowa’s life is a source of inspiration to a lot of us from Ikale. A man who started with nothing but made the most of what life threw at him definitely deserves to be celebrated, a part of the statement read.
Barrister Ogunjumelo, who is the founder and head of MayDay Law firm in Texas, U.S said it’s no mean feat reaching 80 years in Nigeria where average life expectancy hovers around 47 to 49 years for both sexes.
General Bajowa, who hails from Igbotako, in Okitipupa Local Governemnt Area of Ondo State, joined the Nigerian army in 1960 after leaving secondary school and retired in 1980.
He held several positions in the Nigerian army and once served as the Quartermaster General of the army.
After leaving the army, he was recalled back to serve in some capacities by succeeding military administrations.
Some of the positions he held post-military service include: sole administrator of the Nigerian Airways, Director in the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Permanent Secretary State House, among others.
Now a community leader, General Bajowa recently donated one of his personal buildings of four flats to serve as the Secretariat of the Okitipupa Local Government following the burning of the Secretariat by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protests in October.
He also recently launched a community radio station ‘Awawa FM’ for the enlightenment and education of the people of Ikale.
Barrister Ogunjumelo, who described General Bajowa as his own father, wished him long life and comfort even as he continues to do more for the Ikale race and the people of Ondo State in general.