BIRTHDAY BLUES TO DR. OLUWOLE KUKOYI AT 70

 

Our paths cross in the year 2007 when I was working as Awori Archdeaconry Secretary under Ven. Christopher Olarenwaju Ayejoto,

in the old Lagos West Anglican Diocese. I was admitted into his hospital for seven (7) days along Idiroko road, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

He came to checked on me during Ward visit. He enquired of my person and I told him brief about me. Dr. Kukoyi was so fascinated with my responses; hence, he developed interest in me till date.

In the year 2011, I organized a symposium tagged “One Man One Vote”. With the help of High Chief Bamgboye Osunlabu, the Ekerin of Ota, Dr. Kukoyi gave a support of 10,000, Wemabank Cheque. I guess you could imagine the amount if it is today’s economy. This was used to facilitate the event successfully.

As we journey together, there was a time I saw Dr. Kukoyi cleaning and gathering refuse on the main road with his club members, putting on Rotary Club Jackets. This single act challenged me that if a great man likes him can be so humble to a fault by cleaning road with rake, and who is me. 

This made me to answer the call from Lions Club by joining them. A year later, my two Senior Colleagues Mr. Kayode Taiwo and Prince Yemi Obalanlege now the Olota of Ota, HRM Prof. Yemi Obalanlege invited me to their Rotary Meeting at Iyesi, asking me to join them.

Dr. Oluwole Kukoyi is a man of many parts. A detribalized man with a large heart. An Anglican member to a fault who has vowed that no matter how, he will not leave Anglican Communion. I remembered a scenario in the year 2020, Dr. Kukoyi invited me to his office, we talked at length where he later said what happens yesterday is a enough for him to leave Anglican Communion but because of his promise to God, he will not leave but rather continue to play his part in order to make the Communion a better place of worship.

His joy knows know bound the first day he saw me in Cassock. He smiles and said, “Its long I know that you will later answer the divine call into the ministry. He prayed with me. I can see joy on his faces the day I told him that I have receive grace and mercy from my Father and Bishop, The Rt. Revd. Dr. Johnson Akin Atere to be ordained into the Sacred Ministry this year. He tendered his unreserved apologies for not been able to attend due to international assignment. What manner of man is Doctor Kukoyi.

He has used his God-given resources for the benefits of mankind. Some months ago, one of his Doctor friends, the owner of Fame Hospital nicknamed him small Jesus. He narrated how Dr. Kukoyi went all out to save his life even when people thought hope is lost.

He is a philanthropist, benevolence, kind, preacher and lover of God’s work. An unassuming rich man with simple nature. A lover of hymns. An orator who can give you bible quotation that suit your present situation. One of the Pillars of Awori Diocese.

On his benevolence lifestyle, the gentle old man gives all Awori Diocesan Priests, Workers and their wives free medical treatment.   

A Medical Doctor by profession, Rtn. Dr Oluwole  Kukoyi was variously trained at the University of Ibadan, Kings College  Hospital, London, Thomas Jefferson University Institute in Philadelphia, U S A, and an MBA from the Business School in the Netherland.

He is currently Chief Medical Director Ace Medicare Clinics Ota, Ogun State, and happily married to Rev Mrs. Sola Kukoyi with four children, all Paul Harris Fellow.

The cerebral and erudite Rtn. Oluwole Kukoyi joined Rotary Club of Ota in 1984, from where he rose rapidly through the ranks over the years.

He is currently the National Coordinator of Rotary Internationals Inter country committee( ICC), which currently has relationships with Britain and Ireland and Turkey.

As you graciously join the Septuagenarian Club, it’s my prayer that with long live, good health and abundance resources the Lord will satisfy you. You will continue to be relevant both to God and humanity. May all your children surround your table and at last may you and I make heaven.

On behalf of my wife, Olori Modupe, our kids and entire Staffs of Dama Media Concept, we celebrate your love, passion, philanthropically gesture and humanitarian services and we wish you HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LONG LIVES. Cheers to Dr. Kukoyi at 70!

By 

Revd. Damilola Moses Oladele

Operational Director of Dama Media Concept

Awori Diocesan Communicator

Ag Chaplain, Awori Industrial Chaplaincy.