By Kayode Oladeji
In the words of Victor Hugo, French Romantic author, poet, and playwright,”Forty is the old age of youth; fifty the youth of old age”!
Like Hugo explains, it suggests that 40 is an age where youth begins to fade and maturity sets in, marking the transition from young adulthood to middle-age.
Conversely, at 50 years age, one is seen as being in the early stages of old age, but with a sense of vitality and remaining youthfulness.
Essentially, Hugo in this statement, brilliantly captures the notion that age is relative and can be viewed differently depending on one’s perspective and societal expectations.
One Nigerian Amazon, who recently gingerly stepped into the golden age and by so doing, steps into “the youth of old age”, is Veronica Ogwa Babayemi, the beautiful and amiable wife of the popular stalwart of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, or ODB as he’s simply and lovingly called by friends, supporters and admirers across the globe.
Throughout the world and in all of human history, birthdays offer grace and opportunities for reflections and celebrations. These take different formats and forms depending on who is involved, especially while alive, hale and hearty.
Little wonder that G. K. Chesterton, an English author, philosopher and literary and art critic, is reputed to have submitted that, “The first fact about the celebration of a birthday is that it is a way of affirming defiantly, and even flamboyantly, that it is a good thing to be alive”
This is in sync with the immortal words of Elise Broach, an American writer whose publications include the acclaimed novels such as Shakespeare’s Secret, Desert Crossing, and Masterpiece, to wit, “A person’s birthday should be a special day, a wonderful day, a day of pure celebration for the luck of being born”.
It was in the light of all the above, accentuated by the symbolic milestone which the birthday represents, that relations, associates, friends and well-wishers gathered at the prestigious Oriental Hotel, Lagos, to celebrate, appreciate and applaud the grace of the Almighty God upon the life of the Dr. Vera Babayemi.
Like most dignitaries in attendance at the all-important event emphasized in their tributes and goodwill messages, Vera is elegant with a classy poise. This, they affirmed, is not only because she’s a perfect combination of beautiful, brain ad brawn, but because she has a well nurtured, well defined and well refined character – all of which that have been seeing her succeeding and overcoming obstacles at every facet of life.
This enigmatic Amazon is a doctoral degree holder in Business Administration and a hugely successful C-Suite executive.
Born on Saturday, 7th December, 1974, to late Mr. Matthew Igoche and Mrs. Justina Onoja, who both hailed from from Ajegbe-Awume in Ohimini Local Government area of Benue State, Vera decided to organize a bash for her 50th on Saturday, 8th March, to thank God and to appreciate humanity.
Her formative years were cosmopolitan and itinerary inclined due to the nature of her father’s job as a policeman who kept moving from one duty post to another.
Penultimate Saturday, friends and family assembled in a convivial atmosphere at the cozy and the lush of Oriental Hotel, Lagos, to celebrate her semi-century birthday otherwise known as 50th or golden jubilee.
It was indeed a top-notch celebration as it witnessed the gathering of who is who from different walks of life, including those in the telecommunication world where she had worked.
Guests were resplendent in differently designed and styled white outfits in the exquisite environment of the Oriental Hotel, to the admiration of the attendees.
Vera as fondly called, had risen to the enviable position of Vice President, Mobile and Digital Financial Services at Airtel. Her illustrious career in this sector, spanned over 25 years.
While there was so much at the event to soothe the bellies from the culinary world, the Amaka band spiced up the gaily arena with beautiful lyrics and rollicking drums for everyone to ‘shake body’.
For the celebrator, Vera, there was no dull moment as she gyrated to the music supplied while dignitaries joined her on the dance floor.
A graduate of General and Applied Psychology from the University of Jos, Plateau State, she has Master’s degree in Business Administration from Warwick Business School in Coventry, United Kingdom which she capped with a doctoral degree in Business Administration, specializing in Information and Communication Technology from Commonwealth University, London.
The eloquent and effervescent golden girl, has other academic hauls and laurels from renowned and prestigious institutions across the globe which include Harvard Business School, Lagos Business School and the Indian Institute of Management.
A certified Management Specialist from the London Graduate School, Veronica holds fellowships from the Institute of Credit Administration (FICA) and the Institute of Management Consultants (IMC) in Nigeria.
For sure, Veronica’s 50th birthday party will not be forgotten in a hurry because of the countless beautiful memories that accompany it.
Among dignitaries in attendance were the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi who was represented by Oba Muraina Adebanjo Adedini, Asoya of Ile Isoya, Ile-Ife, Arajigbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdulrasheed Olabomi, the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi Adewale, Oba Gboyega Famodun of Igbajo, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, the APC National Secretary, former Group CEO, Airtel Africa PLC, Dr Olusegun Ogunsanya, Senator Jide Omoworare, Chief Layi Oyeduntan, Professors Mojeed Alabi and Siyan Oyeweso, as well as politicians, religious leaders and captains of industries.
As the epochal event echoes into the future; and as those present at the venue reminisce on it with nostalgia even in years to come, Dr. Veronica Babayem’s life is one which lends so much credence to the timeless words of Leo Buscaglia, an American author and a Professor at the University of Southern California, that, “I love to think that the day you’re born, you’re given the world as your birthday present”
Indeed, she can as well relate very well to the saying of John Lennon, an English songwriter, musician and political activist, “Count your age by friends, not years. Count your life by smiles, not tears”
For Vera, the ebullient golden girl, the long walk into another beautiful phase of life starts now.
*Kayode Oladeji is a veteran and award-winning journalist, editor, public affairs analyst and an author of several best-selling books. Based in Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria, he can be reached via kapola64@yahoo.com.
