Every December 14 is about my younger brother who shared the same womb with me Joseph Olumide Ajayi. Having a younger brother like you is one of the most beautiful things to love and cherish. A bunch of beautiful memories are waiting for you this day. Every memory with you is precious to me. I and my family wish you a birthday that is as magnificent as can be. Psalm 95:1-2 “Let us come into His presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of Praise”! It is a good thing to give thanks to the Lord. The faithful are called to give thanks to God for everything – and not only to be thankful but to rejoice: In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, The Apostle Paul wrote the Epistle containing this recommendation to ‘be thankful’ to the Church at Thessalonica, a Greek City with Gentile believers who had questions about their faith. Paul told them to rejoice and be thankful, no matter their situation or circumstances. Being encouraged to rejoice and give thanks are ways Paul wanted them to live for God – 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Paul also gave the Ephesians similar advice in Ephesians 5:20 - always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. God gave life to humanity, therefore we should give thanks. We are all here today rejoicing and giving thanks for life, for God’s goodness and His redemptions to an amazing younger brother and a man of God’s heart.

On behalf of my family and self, we say a big hearty congratulations to my younger brother and the family's first son, the fourth child who shared the same womb with me. All of your names are very significant to me and I will appreciate God in this joyful tribute using your names - Joseph, Olumide, and Akanni.

JOSEPH – Joseph in the Bible (Old Testament) demonstrated great faith, faithfulness, longsuffering, patience and temperance. He forgave without bitterness, extended love when undeserved and saw God’s hand in all that happened to him. Joseph, this is exactly who you are. OLUMIDE – This is a beautiful traditional name given to boys in Yoruba culture and like many other chosen names in Nigerian tribes, Olumide, meaning “My God has come” or “King arrives”. In Yoruba culture, the majority of firstborn sons are named ‘Olumide’ because having a male child is very significant. No wonder he was named Olumide being the first male child after 3 girls. The name is also significant because it is related to the spread of Christianity across its people. People with the name ‘Olumide’ are opinionated and that is what makes you different from others. They are also social birds because they like to socialize so much. They know how to enjoy their life the most and that is because they know the joy of living. They are known to be fond of art and this has made my ‘Olumide’ to be very creative with everything he decides to do. Olumide is a very popular name for a favourite son. ‘Olumide’, you are a fortune, a man of God, extremely humble, cool, calm and heaven-bound, hence I refer to you as MLB – My Lord Bishop. Then your 3rd name: AKANNI – The name Akanni is primarily a gender-neutral name of African - Yoruba origin that means The One Whose Touch Gives Life. Akanji is both a surname and given name. Akanni is a name that implies a pioneering spirit. You are a natural born leader, highly focused, and achievement oriented. Enduring hardship to try out new things come naturally to you. It frustrates you to do too many unimportant activities. You can do things and make decisions by yourself. You are also energetic and confident. This is who you are my darling brother All your names speak volumes, they are wonderful and unique. No wonder the glory of the Lord radiates all over you. The names are working for you and will continue working for you. JOSEPH, OLUMIDE, AKANNI you are blessed and highly favoured in Jesus’ name.

I am so proud to be associated with you and your family. I remembered the root of you reaching where you are now. I remember when you lived with us (myself and my husband – Revd Dr Gideon Bakare) in the mid-90s in Lagos Nigeria. Then, along with your Post-graduate degree studies, you were driving this big bus for Winners Chapel conveying people to and from Church. My husband also delegated some preaching engagements to you and I believe this helped with your ministry foundation. You have dedicated your life to Christ and the work of the ministry at a very young age. You have been destined to be a leader from Primary school, right through higher education and up to date. You are a very good listener and a very reflective person. I would say you are a born leader.  You have good leadership skills and qualities: integrity, decision making, in-depth focus, good communication skills and you command presence, you motivate and inspire, you empower others, you lead by example, you recognize other’s success, making hard decisions and many moreI AM VERY PROUD OF YOU. I also remember when we (myself and my husband) were posted to Ibadan, we housed and assisted you with your final project in the late 1990s and the Lord also helped us to pay for your Visa to travel out of the country Nigeria to the states (USA). Myself and my daughter visited you in 2017 in NEW YORK. It was a great reunion after 13 years. This was the first time I met your wife, children and your mother-in-law. Your family hosted me and my daughter and you planned and celebrated my daughter’s 16th birthday then. It was a glorious occasion and I am very grateful. You are a very calm, classy, courageous, compassionate, conscientious and cool person. We all love you so dearly. I can never forget the role you played in looking after our mum and dad when they visited you in the USA. When our dad fell ill, OLUMIDE, ‘omo atoju iwo na’. You will live long in good health and you will reap the fruit of your labour.

I will pause here to appreciate my dear wife – Titilayomi’. We thank God for bringing you into my lovely brother’s life and as your name is, so shall it continuously be for you and yours. Your joy shall be eternal, it shall last, and you will be joyful forever and be forever happy. I also thank God for your 3 wonderful Children – Mercy, David and Isaac. Great shall be your success in Jesus’ name. My husband Revd Dr Gideon Bakare who frequently refers to you as ‘okunrin’ wishes you more glorious years to enjoy on earth in good health, sound mind, peace, joy and all the fullness of the blessings of God.  Our children (Esther and Daniel Bakare) wish that this year brings the most wonderful things into your life. Happy birthday dearest brother!