Parents have been urged to place greater priority on the proper upbringing and education of their children, with the assurance that investments made in their children’s future will ultimately yield lasting rewards.
The advice was given on Saturday during the 80th birthday celebration of Elder Samuel Esan Komolafe, held in Ibadan, where clerics, family members, friends and former colleagues from the University of Ibadan paid glowing tributes to the celebrant’s exemplary life of sacrifice, humility and devotion to his family and God.
The speakers described Elder Komolafe as a loving, caring and devout Christian who deliberately denied himself many personal comforts in order to provide quality education and a solid foundation for his children. According to them, while many of his contemporaries invested in acquiring luxury items, building houses and pursuing personal pleasures in their younger years, Elder Komolafe chose to channel his resources towards raising and educating his children.
“Elder Esan denied himself enjoyment to focus on his children. While his mates were buying cars, building houses and engaging in other comforts of life, he remained committed to investing in the future of his children,” one of the speakers said, noting that the decision has paid off as the celebrant now enjoys the fruits of his labour and can comfortably meet his personal needs.
The speakers also applauded his simple lifestyle, generosity and commitment to the work of God, describing him as someone who quietly rendered assistance to people without seeking recognition. They encouraged parents to emulate his example by making their children’s welfare and education their foremost priority.
In his remarks, the Master of Ceremony, alongside other elderly speakers, advised fathers to take active roles in the upbringing of their children beyond merely providing financial support. They stressed the importance of fathers maintaining close relationships with their children and ensuring they understand their parental responsibilities, warning that leaving all child-rearing responsibilities to mothers could have negative consequences later in life.
The celebrant and his wife, both natives of Ilupeju Ekiti in Ekiti State, expressed gratitude to God for granting them the grace to witness the rewards of their years of sacrifice. Amid joyous celebrations, the couple danced with family, friends and well-wishers in appreciation of God’s faithfulness.
The children of the celebrant also paid glowing tributes to their parents, thanking them for the numerous sacrifices they made to ensure they received quality education, moral guidance and the support needed to succeed in life