By Femi Awojobi
It was a gathering of the crème de la crème from across the world as dignitaries converged in Nigeria and Atlanta, Georgia, USA, to hold special birthday parties for technology guru and politician, Sen. Ayo Arise, on his 70th birthday.
On Saturday night, the wife of the celebrant, Mrs. Adebisi Arise, led her children, Seye, Bowo and Moyo Arise while Dr. Deji Adeleke and former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sen. Iyiola Omisore, were among the dignitaries who gathered in the USA.
The dignitaries showered encomiums on Sen. Ayo Arise, whom they described as a shining example of a good leader, friend, associate, husband and father worthy of emulation.
Back home, on Friday evening, dignitaries also gathered at the magnificent residence of Sen. Ayo Arise in Oye-Ekiti to offer prayers for the celebrant.
A Provincial Pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Olatunji Joseph Taiwo, urged the gathering to always put God first in their daily activities and described Sen. Arise as a product of grace.
Those who spoke at the forum described Sen. Arise as a role model to the younger generation. They commended him for his selfless service to society, especially for facilitating the establishment of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), which has been beneficial to all Ekiti indigenes and Nigeria as a whole.
The forum, organised by Sen. Ayo Arise’s immediate political family, was under the leadership of a two-term former Chairman of Oye Local Government Area and Ifeloju Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Comrade Tunde Ogunmilugba.
Meanwhile, the elaborate 70th birthday celebration for Sen. Ayo Arise has been slated for December 5, 2026. The event will also include the commissioning of the “Arise Hotel and Event Centre, Arise Bakery, and a road project by Sen. Arise, among others.