It was lit on Thursday night at White Gold Hotel, off Offa Garage road, Ilorin, as a veteran thespian, Kehinde Akins nee Ale, who retired from the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture, marked her birthday.
News Hub Mag! reports that colleagues, friends, fans and well-wishers of the thespian took turns to eulogize her while pointing out her selflessness, kindness and deftness on the stage.
Opening the floodgates for the eulogies, the acting Director of the Kwara State Council for Arts and Culture, Adeola Omowumi Olanipekun, described how instrumental the celebrant had been to her success in life and in her career.
According to her, the celebrant had guided her during her rookie days in the Arts Council and even helped her make decisions that propelled her to the present position she now occupies.
“I should not be here this night because I am a little bit under the weather but this woman has been my benefactor in so many ways that I have even lost count. I thank God today that I followed all her advice when I entered the Arts Council because that is what is helping me today.
“My prayer for her is that God will give her long life and good health and also grants all her heart desires.”
Also speaking, the BoT chairman of the Hospitality and Tourism Development Association of Kwara State, Benjamin Oyinbo, said he is not surprised at the encomiums poured on the celebrants pointing out that he had known her and her twin right from childhood.
“She didn’t derail from what I have known her and her twin for selflessness and empathy is like a second nature to them and they will always go out of their way to assist others and also make people comfortable,” he stated.
He urged her to continue with her good deeds as she will reap the reward at the appropriate time.
In his own contribution, the SWAN chairman for Kwara State, Jimoh Bashir, described the celebrant as a woman who has impacted positively the lives of people around her.
Bashir who is also the Chairman, The Herald Chapel NUJ, recounted fond memories of his encounter with the celebrant and her immediate family.
Other speakers on the occasion attested to how the celebrant had impacted positively on their lives.
In her remarks, the celebrant in an emotion-laden voice thanked the brains behind the ceremony stressing that she is full of appreciation to God for how far he had helped her.
