Celebration
By Chidinma Agu and Clara Egbogota
Lagos, June 23, 2018 (NAN) The Vicar of St Andrew’s Anglican Church, Ogudu, Lagos, Ven. Kelvin Tope-Tapere on Saturday urged Nigerians to exercise patience and maintain professional integrity
Tope-Tapere said this at the Holy Communion and Thanksgiving Service in Lagos to mark the 80th Birthday of Prof. Oufemi Adefela, a pioneer Editor-In-Chief of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to him, Christians are expected to remain spiritually-steadfast when faced with hard times.
The cleric said that patience was paramount and a weapon which a true Christian could use when faced with tribulations.
Tope-Tapere said it was the grace of God that kept the celebrator, who lost his father at the age of 15 months.
“I congratulate you on your poems “Mind of the Wing”. Nigeria needs men like him who understand the principle of tribulations.
Amb. Toye Olofintuyi , a former NAN Editor, recalled that Adefela was one of the first nine editorial staff of the agency and the pioneer Editor-In-Chief.
He explained that Adefela, who was the first editorial staff, employed the other eight editorial staff.
According to him, Adefela is a peace-loving and a humble man who was also very committed to journalism.
The Chairman of the ocassion, Mr Itanola Omoniyi, in his speech, welcomed Adefela to the group of octogenarians.
He said that Adefela had lived a life of humility, honesty and integrity.
Omoniyi thanked God for giving Adefela the grace to celebrate his 80th birthday.
Adefela , while appreciating friends and professional colleagues for coming to celebrate with him, said that at 80, he felt young and energetic.
”At 80, people have asked me how l feel and l replied l feel younger.
”Since the past eight days, l am overwhelmed with goodwill messages and love.
”All l can say is that l am grateful to all of you especially to those who have worked with me, ” he said. (NAN)
ACA/ECO/AJA
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Edited by Adeleye Ajayi