By Tunde Olusunle
Thursday January 11, 2024, all roads led to the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikate, Surulere, Lagos, for the formal admission of Otunba Funso Davies Owoyemi, Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Accountants, (FCA), into the septuagenarian rungs. Those who know *FDO* as acronymed from the initials of his names, know him for his social unobtrusiveness and reticence. This is despite his humongous achievements as an astute professional, conscientious husband, consummate parent, devoted community leader and revered elder statesman. Turning 70 in our kind of environment with its many viccissitudes was worth giving thanks to God and inviting friends and family to join the celebration which was just what Otunba Owoyemi did on that occasion.
Nearly two years later very recently, there was compelling need for a double-barreled encore in Owoyemi’s family. It was the occasion of the engagement of one of his six delectable daughters, Oluwasolape, to her hearthrob, Precious Adeniran, on one hand, and the 70th birthday of his beloved wife, Mrs Rita Abeke Owoyemi, his inseparable partner of five decades. Beginning from Thursday October 30, 2025, therefore, Otunba Funso Owoyemi was going to lock down Lagos for the following half a week to commemorate both landmarks. And from Lagos and beyond, family, friends, associates and acquaintances rallied steadily behind the Owoyemis as they celebrated their own.
The highbrow *Rosetree Event Centre,* Oniru, Victoria Island, Lagos, hosted the engagement ceremony of Oluwasolape and Precious. Expectedly, it had the orderly, organised imprimatur of *FDO,* classy without being exhibitionist, the best of Nigerian culture on display as the two youngsters pledged their futures to each other before the world. Lagosians continue to raise the bar of ceremonial sophistry though, ever giving their upcountry guests novelties to think about. Fulfilment was writ large on the faces of the older Owoyemis who have devoted a considerable segment of their more recent years joyfully oversighting the lateral flourish of their family, with the addition of more and more grandchildren.
Sunday November 2, 2025, the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Ikate, Surulere, was the venue of the 70th birthday thanksgiving of the Owoyemi matriarch, Chief (Mrs) Rita Abeke Owoyemi. It was a packed Sunday service which coincided with the annual “Adult Harvest” of the church, which was going to keep guests and parishioners in church for a long duration. The Rt. Rev. Akinpelu Johnson the Vicar and Archdeacon, led the proceedings. The excitement of celebrating with the Owoyemi family, despite Lagos’ typically unpredictable rain descent, however, overshadowed every proclivity to boredom and restlessness. Guests proceeded to *The Podium Events Centre,* Lekki, Lagos for the post-thanksgiving reception thereafter.
The socials were a celebration of the finest aspects of Nigeria’s cultures. Otunba Owoyemi’s kinsmen from Yagbaland in the Okun hemisphere in Kogi State, matched their in-laws from Owo in Ondo State with costume, dance and displays. It was a most befitting tribute to the life and multitasking career of a wife, mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, who worked her way to Nigeria’s exchequer, the Central Bank of Nigeria, (CBN), from humble beginnings. Starting out in Secretarial Studies, Mrs Owoyemi with the unflinching support of her redoubtable husband would go on to become a public administrator in her own right. She trained at the Crown Secretarial College and the Pitman’s College, both in London, where she earned a Diploma and a Higher Diploma in Secretarial Studies.
Within the same period, her husband, Otunba Owoyemi earned his badges as a charterered accountant and management professional. The couple wedded in London Borough of Hackney in 1979 and welcomed their first child, Olumuyiwa, one of their two sons, before returning to Nigeria during the regime of President Shehu Usman Shagari in 1980. Mrs Owoyemi began a lifelong career in the CBN in 1981 and grossed three and half eventful decades in service before her retirement at 60 in 2015. She has since redoubled her focus on mentoring and supporting not just her children and their offsprings, but siblings, relatives and adopted children, while also supporting her husband as they both age gracefully together.
Mrs Owoyemi’s commemoration was a harvest of testimonies from a broad spectrum of people and publics she encountered and impacted in a most eventful life. Siblings, childhood peers, schoolmates, colleagues, members of church, voluntary and social organisations, stepped forward to speak so glowingly and eloquently about a rare breed who has lived her life principally for others. The second child of her nuclear family, fate thrust leadership upon her when she lost her older sibling and she had to fill in spontaneously as *Numero Uno* in the family and pathfinder, a role she has played so very ably and gracefully.
The Owoyemis had very good company at the twin ceremonies. Former Ministers in the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR at the programme, included Chief and Justice (Mrs) Bayo Ojo, SAN, CON, and Asiwaju and Chief (Mrs) Kola Jamodu, CFR. Prince Olusola Akanmode, Chief of Staff to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, GCON; Arc Yomi Awoniyi, FNIA, former Deputy Governor of Kogi State; Aremo (Dr) and Chief (Mrs) Yemi Ogunbiyi, former Managing Director of Daily Times of Nigeria Plc, and Senator Musiliu Obanikoro. Rear Admiral Okanlawon Oni, (rtd); AIG Tunji Caulcrick, (rtd); Brigadier-General Benjamin Ipinyomi, (rtd); Ambassador Kayode Shinkaiye; Chief (Mrs) Florence Omotehinwa; Justice Suyi Olateru-Olagbegi and Justice and Mrs Adeniyi Ademola, (rtd), equally added colour to the event.
Mr Eniola Bello, Managing Director of Thisday Newspapers; Mr and Mrs Akin Opeodu, FCA; Mr and Mrs Kunle Owuye; Dr Kola Ibirogba; Otunba Sam Olu Owa; Chief Kunle David; Chief and Mrs Korede Adedayo; Chief Tosin Atewologun; Chief Jide Oni as well as Mr and Mrs Bayo Ibirogba, honoured the milestone. Chief Kayode Soyombo; High Chief Tobi Oduyale; Chief Sanmi Fabode, FCA; Hon Deinde Abolarin; Mr and Mrs Iyiola Oyefeso; Otunba and Mrs Babs Alatise; Engr and Mrs Owa Adewale; Captain and Mrs Ade Olopoenia; Mr and Mrs Uwa Ehanire; Elder Tunde Alogbo and Chief Tunde Odunewu, all kept faith with the Owoyemis. Not forgetting Members of “Klub D’Aspirers” and the “Long Table” respectively.
It was indeed a fitting and memorable week of landmarks which the family of Otunba Funso Davies Owoyemi, FCA, will savour and treasure for decades to come.
*Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja.
