Fouad Oki Celebrates Princess Orelope-Adefulire at 67

Ògbóni Fouad Oki has felicitated with the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SSAP-SDGs), H.E. Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, on her birthday, describing her life as one marked by service, compassion and positive impact on society.

In a heartfelt birthday message addressed to the former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Oki thanked God for her life and commended the strength with which she has served, the compassion she has shown to others and the many lives positively affected through her work.

He, however, acknowledged the grief accompanying this year’s celebration following the death of her beloved Oluwafemi, noting that his absence would be deeply felt on a day that ordinarily calls for celebration.

According to him, no birthday greeting could fill the place Oluwafemi holds in her heart, urging the celebrant not to feel compelled to put aside her grief in order to celebrate the occasion.

Oki prayed that Princess Orelope-Adefulire would be surrounded by people who would remember Oluwafemi with her, speak of him with tenderness and remain close to her beyond the celebrations.

Quoting the Bible, he drew comfort from Jesus Christ’s words in Matthew 5:4, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted,” as well as the assurance in Psalm 34:18 that “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.”

He prayed that these scriptural assurances would become a living source of comfort to the celebrant, asking God to sustain her through the quiet moments, difficult memories and the pain of loss.

Oki also invoked Psalm 147:3, praying that God would “bind up the wounds” of her heart and grant her renewed strength as she begins another year.

He prayed for knowledge, wisdom, sound judgment and fresh vision for the responsibilities before her, while asking God to lift her to greater heights and increase her influence for good.

He further prayed for peace, good health and abiding love for her family, as well as “everlasting joy” that would coexist with remembrance and allow moments of laughter without diminishing her love for Oluwafemi.

Citing Revelation 21:4, Oki prayed that the God who promises to wipe away every tear would comfort Princess Orelope-Adefulire and give her hope for the days ahead.

He wished her a happy birthday and praying that she would be cherished as generously as she has cherished others.

Below is the full text of the birthday message.

My darling Sister, Princess Adejoke,

On your birthday, I thank God for your life: for the strength with which you have served, the compassion you have shown to others, and the many lives made better through your work.

I know that this birthday also carries a sorrow beyond words. Your beloved Oluwafemi is not here to celebrate with you. No greeting can fill the place he holds in your heart, and you need not put aside your grief for this day to be worthy of love. May you feel surrounded by people who will remember him with you, speak his name with tenderness, and remain close when the celebrations are over.

Jesus said, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). The psalmist assures us that “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart” (Psalm 34:18). I pray that these words become more than words for you: that God meets you in the quiet moments, holds you through the hardest memories, and, as Psalm 147:3 says, binds up the wounds of your heart.

As you enter another year, may the Lord renew your strength. May you rise on eagles’ wings, as Isaiah 40:31 promises. May He grant you knowledge, wisdom, sound judgment and fresh vision for every responsibility before you. May He lift you to greater heights, increase your influence for good, and bless your family with peace, good health and abiding love.

Above all, I pray for everlasting joy: a deep joy that can live beside remembrance, and moments of laughter that never diminish your love for Oluwafemi. May the God who promises to wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4) comfort you today and give you hope for all the days ahead.

Happy birthday, Your Excellency. May you be cherished as generously as you have cherished others.

With heartfelt affection and prayers,
Ògbóni Fouad Oki