The former Somolu/Bariga PDP chairman, Hon. Niyi Osibemekun popularly known as Jackal in the Somolu political arena celebrated his 60th birthday anniversary recently in Lagos.
His Ogunbadejo residence in the Somolu local government area of the state was a cynosure of all eyes as family, friends, and political bigwigs not leaving out clerics in and outside the state stormed his abode to celebrate and thank God on his behalf for attaining 60 years of age.
Reminiscing his escape from the fang of death after 48 hours in a coma in 2010, the ‘birthday boy’ narrated to Somolu News that he was extremely and graciously lucky to have survived the deadly brain trauma that enveloped his life back then.
He went further, “I cannot thank God enough than to continue to give glory to God Almighty for giving me the second chance to live a normal life again after I went into a coma for 48 hours. I had the premonition that I was going to die that faithful Tuesday because I saw death face-to-face while sitting on the veranda of my house”.
“Having lost hope of survival, I was physically, psychologically dead and had to call my cousin, Wole to take charge of the house because he was the only man left in Nigeria to manage the affairs of the family while others were abroad”.
“And just as I was about to step out of the gate of my house, a call came in from a spiritual woman of God, a close relative who made the revelation about a bad omen about to happen to me. She asked where I was and I told her I was at home, and she ended the call. And in another few minutes, another call came in from my spiritual father who revealed the same thing to me but said God asking him to ask me what I wanted and the only request I made was for God to give me a ‘second chance”.
“Immediately after that phone call, I began to lose consciousness and was quickly rushed to a specialist Hospital in Maryland, Lagos where a test was conducted with confirmation of a blood clot in my brain which in medical terms means ‘No Survival’ and was thereafter in a coma for 48 hours.
“By Thursday evening, I was back to life on the hospital bed, moving my hands and legs. The doctor spoke to me and shook my hand. He was shocked to see me talk and move my hands. He quickly conducted another test to ascertain what happened only to discover that the blood clot had disappeared. He stood in disbelief because he said he had never seen that kind of miracle since he started his medical practice”.
“And I thank God I have been living a healthier life like every other normal human being since then. Why wouldn’t I praise His name and do His bidding?
Speaking to Somolu News at the venue, one of the APC party stalwarts, Hon. Ademola Olisa described Hon. Jackal as a committed grassroots politician whose contributions to socioeconomic as well as political space in the Somolu community cannot be overemphasized.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Ward E leaders; Hon. Babafemi Olowole (Denmark), in his birthday remarks described the celebrant as a lovely brother, political stalwart, and responsible man of honour and dignity.
Present at the birthday party include the No. 1 citizen of Somolu local government, Hon. AbdulHamed Salawu ‘Dullar’, Vice-chairman; Hon. Adekunle Ekiyemi, the leader of the legislative Arms; Hon. Yomi Oshunkoya, the former House of Assembly member representing the Somolu constituency 1; Hon. Olowo Rotimi Emmanuel, the former Sole Administrator of Somolu local government; Hon. Bamidele Williams Lawanson, the Chairman, Revenue Board; Hon. Mike Ohikhe.
Others also present are the Chairman of the Somolu/Bariga Apex leaders; Hon. Peter Oyewusi, his subordinates; Hon. Ademola Olisa and Hon. Fatai Bakare popularly known as Baba-Oba, the chairman of Ward E leaders; Hon. Oluwole Olowole (Denmark), the Ward E Apex leader; Hon. Bisiriyu Akewusure, Hon. Kola Adebayo, the former Ward E councillor; leader Aina Omotunde, Hon. Ade Adebambo, and host of others numerous to mention.
The Ex-Regional Chief Account of Palnapina, however, in his appreciation remarks, thanked all the guests and well-wishers who despite their tight schedules managed to honour his birthday anniversary while praying to God to continue to guide and bless them in all their future endeavours.
