By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Validation and camaraderie by friends and well-wishers have continued to depict the life of a seasoned journalist, publisher and editor-in-chief of THE CONCLAVE (online newspaper), Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo, who clocked 58 on Tuesday, August 6, 2024.

A retired Permanent Secretary in the federal civil service, Ernest Umakhihe (PhD), a Director in the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Sanjo Faniran (PhD), a retired Director in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning (as it then was), Mr David Adeosun and a former Special Assistant in the Presidency and intrepid editorialist, Tunde Olusunle (PhD) have just paid tribute to the editorial professionalism of Mr Ojeifo on the occasion of his birthday.

Umakhihe wrote: “…I take this opportunity to wish a renowned media guru a belated 58th birthday. I share in the joy of the moment as you continue to blaze the rail. Congratulations, my brother.”

“Congratulations on your birthday my dear friend. May the good God keep you and grant you long life in the peace of God and in good health in Jesus’ name. Happy birthday. Long life and prosperity in good health,” Faniran said.

Adeosun penned this short, powerful prayers: “Happy birthday, Sir. Continue to age gracefully and enjoy the fruits of your labour.”

Remarkably, the path of the trio of Umakhihe, Faniran and Adeosun crossed Ojeifo’s at the Ministry of Budget and National Planning as it then was where he was Special Assistant (Media and Communication) to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba,

Read Olusunle: “Hearty congratulations on your birthday, my brother….Thanks for your good work in advancing the frontiers of our profession. You have serially demonstrated professionalism and courage in your editorial preferences. Wishing you many more decades in good health and happiness.”

Plaudits by a number of other significant Nigerians are captured hereunder in extenso:

A former Commissioner for Communication in Edo State, Barrister Andrew Emwanta wrote: “Happy birthday, Sir. May God elevate you to greater heights. In the year 1998, as a journalist with the Vanguard newspaper, you were one of the few investigative journalists that ushered in the new civilian administration of Gen Olusegun Obasanjo. Then, I was a regular reader of your stories on the political happenings in Edo. Rest assured that you occupy a special place in hearts of those who appreciate balanced reportage and time-proven media excellence. Your generation of Nigerian journalists are gradually leaving the scene and one can only pray for your good health and general wellness as you gradually march into the senior citizens’ club. Many happy returns, Sir.”

A businesswoman, Nsikak Umoh wrote: “Happy birthday to prolific writer and great man of inestimable value, I wish you happy birthday full of God’s endless blessings and love. You are an inspiration to everyone around you. You touch so many lives with joy and you deserve to have your deepest wishes and dreams come true on your Especial Day. I hope you continue to love life and never stop dreaming. That is my birthday wish for you. You deserve all the happiness in the world. My earnest prayers for you are for your secret prayers to be answered….”

A Naval Officer, A.Moses said: “Sufuyan Ojeifo, you are a very generous and philanthropic person. You are a man with a heart of gold and diamond. May heavens and earth celebrate this awesome mien. We are privileged to have met with you on this planet. Species of your ilk is seen once in a century. Oj as Awoniyi of blessed memory used to call him, is a homosapiens with million parts. The uterus where you were incubated for 290 days is precious; the breasts you suckled were priceless. The warm hands that tendered you were golden. In the words of Allan Rufus, ‘Hard work does not go unnoticed, and someday the rewards will follow’. You’ve worked hard and still working hard. Very, very soon, your name will be announced globally. Like the proverbial cat, with nine lives, you’ve passed through the shadows of deaths and graves in the course of your passionate profession. On those occasions, you never minded whose ox is gored. Sometimes I wonder the source of your confidence. It can only be God and God alone. In so far you stand for the truth which is God, He will continue to be your shield. Congratulations!”

A former Editor of Champion Newspaper, Andy Ezeani added humour to the confetti of plaudits when he wrote: “OJ, happy birthday. Please add me to the list of those you will be taking to Granada for the bash. I need to go away for a while from Naija. Have a wonderful year.”

Former acting Director General of the NTA, Mr Sola Atere sent this message: “Congratulations, Sufuyan, on your birthday. You really have cause to thank God. May you live to celebrate more of His blessings, mercies and favour upon your life, in the name of Jesus. Amen.”

A former member of the Board of NDIC, Hon Simon Ogie described Sufuyan Ojeifo as consummate journalist, who is both sedate and highly fecund. He wished the celebrator well and prayed that he would age gracefully.

Chief Medical Director of National Orthopaedic Hospital at Uselu-Benin, Dr Philip Ugbodaga commended the Ojeifo’s passion for his journalism trade, even as he described him as Cicero of Nigerian journalism because of his usage of the English language as a means of interrogating societal ills or enhancing both human and community development in his write ups. He prayed that the Almighty God would continued to protect him in the pursuit of his endeavours