By Okechukwu Onuegbu
A nonagenarian from Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area, Anambra State, Chief Sir Silas Amamchukwu Ejide, on Saturday, shed tears of joy as his 9 children, 20 grandchildren and hundreds of relatives threw in 90th birthday in his honour.
The business mogul and elder statesman, while expressing happiness over the superfluous birthday celebration screamed that "Today, the people of Agulu have shown me that they truly love and appreciate me. I never knew I was loved this much by my people."
The titled Chief known as 'Odu Ochiliozua of Agulu,' said he was happy that the people used the occasion to celebrate a life he described as fulfilled and blessed by God, a colourful event that attracted guests from far and near.
A father of ten children who lost one to sickness at adulthood, blessed with more than twenty grandchildren but still maintain control over them as united family.
“I am grateful to God for attaining the age of 90. Ninety years is not ninety days, neither is it ninety hours. It is only God who could have made this possible in my life," he stated, noting that without God nothing meaningful could have been achieved in his life.
Overwhelmed by the massive turnout of people who attended the celebration, the elderly celebrant expressed surprise and joy at the show of love from his community.
“Everyone who came here today came with happiness, joy, and appreciation. They were all smiling and laughing. Before now, I used to think my people disliked me, but today I have been proven wrong.”
He expressed deep appreciation to everyone who attended the celebration and thanked God for preserving his life to witness such a memorable occasion.
“I thank God for granting me the grace of longevity. I still ask God for longer life and good health because no one ever prays for God to take his life," he added.
Sir Ejide also used the opportunity to pray for peace and unity among his people noting only "God can help our people to live in peace and unity and not bear false allegations against one another. Today I feel fulfilled, and pray that God will bless everyone who came to celebrate with me.”
To his first son, Mr. Okechukwu Ejide, for his father to clock 90 hale and hearty is a thing of joy, a rare privilege and grace of God that empowers him to see his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren growing up under his guidance.
"We deliberately decided to celebrate him now he is still alive so that he could personally witness the honour and love being shown to him. In our society today, people usually slaughter cows and prepare elaborate meals when their loved ones die. But we decided to celebrate our father while he is alive so that he can see how much he means to us and to others.
“We want him to be happy while he is still with us. This celebration is to make him joyful and to encourage him to live many more years in good health," he explained.
“My prayer now is for God to continue to keep him healthy and strong. We also pray that he will always be well taken care of, given good food at the right time, and surrounded with happiness. All these will help him remain joyful and live longer,” he added.
Speaking about his father’s character, Mr. Ejide described him as a man of integrity and peace, truthful person and a lover of peace who never stays where evil is being committed.
Also speaking, the first daughter, Mrs Ngozi Ofoedu urged the public to step into her father's mark to do more charitable for a lasting memories of him.
"My father's life is exemplary especially in the areas of human thinking, my father as a business guru had many apprentice under him and he settled all of them at the end of their apprenticeship, which is rare to see," she stated.
She also thanked all their guests who travelled far and near to grace the occasion, more especially her husband, Chief Ezeugo Onwudiwe Ofoedu for standing tall with her in their many years of marriage and his kinsmen.
Contributing, one of his daughters-in-law, Mrs. Obiageli Ejide, described Chief Ejide as a rare and remarkable individual whose character and characterization worths celebrating.
“My heart is filled with joy and happiness that my father-in-law is 90 years old. I am proud of him. He never jokes with me, and I thank God for giving me such a wonderful father-in-law. If there is another world, I would still want him to be my father-in-law again. I love him like my own father. He is one in a million. You cannot find two people like him,” she said.
According to her, the lifestyle of the nonagenarian is exemplary, noting that he is honest, straightforward, and always stands for the truth.
“He stands firmly for truth and does not discriminate. He is very caring. Every morning he calls to check on me if I have not called him first. He would say, ‘My wife, I have not heard from you today.’ That shows how caring he is. His smile is warm and engaging, and he is always neat and handsome," she added.