On this bright sunny Sunday, 19th of January 2020 to be precise, there were joyous noise, songs of praises and worships from the grateful heart of Deaconess Mabel Foluke Ogundipe of the LIJOFI AJINA Clan in the Ondo Kingdom, as she rolled out the drums to celebrate her 80th birthday anniversary in Lagos.
The celebrant – Deaconess Mabel Foluke Ogundipe
The well-attended event took place at the prestigious Lagos Country Club, Ikeja. Born on the 13th January 1940 to late Sir (Chief) & Lady Chief Samuel Akinboludo Ogundipe, a retired Ondo Boys High School teacher, from Ondo Town.
Deaconess Ogundipe spoke to our Social and Events Correspondent after the Thanksgiving Service, she said ‘I can only give thanks to Almighty for keeping me alive, in spite of all the odds till this age’.
The celebrant flanked by her children
She recounted with joy her years of service, especially with the Electricity Company of Nigeria (ECN), saying ‘hardwork, dedication and most importantly prayers, saw me to the top. She gave all thanks to Almighty God for preserving her through the service years.
Deaconess Foluke, a retired Administrative manager said she is coping with retirement and old age by ‘working and serving in the Vineyard of the Lord’.
Family members with the celebrant’s picture at the background
She retired from the then Electricity Company of Nigeria, ECN where she started as an Administrative Clerk and to become the head of the Human Resources and Admin Department. She retired after 35 years of meritorious services.
We joined family, friends and well-wishers to say happy 80th birthday to deaconess Mabel Foluke Ogundipe.
Afolayan Adebiyi writes from Lagos, Nigeria.
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