Encomium, Elation, Glitz As Abayomi Akinola Celebrates 60th Birthday In Texas

• “I feel good and blessed today. It’s wonderful that I’m alive to see my 60th birthday”

Akinola Abayomi, a chivalrous, unassuming and quintessential gentleman has clocked 60.

Friends, family members, business associates and well-wishers gathered to felicitate with the astute businessman on the glorious occasion of his 60th  birthday in March.

Aside from the fact that serendipity smiled at him at some point in his life, Akinola story is that of foresightedness, dedication, determination and hard work. Providence imbued him with the sort of clairvoyance that eludes many as he rose from the modest means to the highest rung of the social and economic ladder

“I feel good and blessed today. It’s wonderful that I’m alive to see my 60th birthday. God has been good, so I can’t complain. It been wonderful” an elated Akinola told Ekohotblog in an interview.

Abayomi Akinola was born on March 15, 1961 in Lagos, Nigeria. I attended Elementary/Primary School at Olowogbowo Methodist School in Lagos in 1966-1972 before proceeding to Oyo State now Osun State to attend my secondary school at Baptist High School, Iwo from 1973-1979.

“It’s not been easy. The Journey of life is always full of ups and downs. There’s always the rough time, there’s always the smooth time, at this period of my life I’m blessed” Akinola, beaming with confidence and poise, asserted

“I’ve been in this country for this long For this long, you know how hard it is coming to a place where you don’t have family but God has been wonderful. Always rough, But I thank God for today”

Akinola exemplary lifestyle is as impeccable and enviable as his educational qualifications, academic acumen and illustrious career both as a private sector executive and business owner.

“Having completed my secondary school I was able to gain employment under the Federal Government in Lagos with National Provident Fund located in Lagos from 1979 – 1984. After 5 years of being employed with the Nigerian Government, I was able to gain admission to South Georgia College in Douglas, Georgia to study Marketing in March 1984.

I moved to Houston, Texas in June 1984 to continue my studies at Houston Community College in Houston. In June 1985 I gained admission to Texas Southern University, Houston, Texas to study Banking and Finance. I graduated in 1989 at TSU with a BBA Finance. Then I went for my Postgraduate program at same TSU for my MBA in General Business with minor in Finance and graduated in May 1991.

“After graduation I was employed by Phillip 66 as a convenience Store Manager from 1991 – 1996 before gaining another employment with Shell Oil company as a convenience Store Manager in Houston from 1996 – 2003 before venturing into self-employment in 2003 by establishing a mobile phone company named Postal & Wireless. After few years of running the Phone service business I started a new business called Skye Shipping Services, LLC in 2008 dealing with transportation of personal items/oil equipment products by Airfreight different States in Nigeria. Business that I am currently running till date.
Currently married to a lovely wife Adeola Akinola for 28yrs and blessed with a daughter, three sons and a granddaughter” he said

On regrets,  Akinola said God has been wonderful to him and that he had never really had any moment to regret any decision he made in life.

“God as been incredibly amazing to me by putting me through the right path. All what could have been regrets are turned around to positives. I don’t want to have any regrets in my life i never had one before, it turns to regret God always twisted around and change the path to a good one” he asserted

“Like I said, you know, any negative thing coming my way, God always twist it around and make it positive. I can’t tell you, I have any regrets”

On his greatest and biggest moments in life, he pointed out that bagging his first degree at TSU and the birth of his first daughter will take such glory.

“greatest moment of my life was when I got my first degree at TSU I came here for that Purpose. I was able to achieve it. My parent was alive, when I told them they were so happy that I didn’t come here to mess up the family name.

“Another was when my first daughter was given birth to. 1990. It’s not that it wasn’t expected so hard. But when I saw her I was like I’m a complete man at that time

“At this point in my life, I would like God to give me long life, good health and to see more of my grand children” he enthused.

At the sophisticated and exquisite Nigerian restaurant, Omarise Bar and Grill Restaurant, owned by an associate of Akinola, Otunba Omiyale — where sumptuous and mouth-watering Nigerian and Jamaican delicacies are served to the delight visitors —  family members, friends, associates, well wishers converge to celebrate with this epitome of humanity on occasion of his birthday.

• Friends and associates showered encomium and praise on Akinola.

Momoh Yakubu said Akinola took him in when he came to Texas and was of great assistance in helping him find his feet in his new enclave. He noted that Akinola radiates kindness and benevolence and he lits up every gathering he finds himself in. He noted that he has forged a strong bond with the celebrant and they are now family.

“My name is Momoh Yakubu. My relationship with the celebrant has been extended for the past 20, 21 years when we move to Houston at the behest of my boss. My wife, and his wife initially got Together, they work together and ever since that time we’ve been friends. I was telling him that ever since I’ve met him, his composure is kindness and you see him? He’s always happy. He’s always calm with any situation that you may meet him in and I pray for him that God will continue to expand him, deliver him from whatever he wishes God to deliver him from. Because when you see an environment that we’re in, we’ve a family that is so cohesive. Because I know all the family, all the children, we are all together, if We don’t see in a week. We heard each other’s voice on the phone, almost every other day. So, which is very impressive, he’s a complete gentleman. I wish him all the best in all his undertaken and more years on earth”

Bayo Oyekan, a contemporary of Akinola at Iwo Baptist high school, said the celebrant has been of tremendous support since they ran into each other in Texas, noting that the celebrant has every cause to celebrate the occasion as he’s come a long way.

” My name is Bayo Oyekan. I live in Houston, Texas. The celebrant is someone that was my junior in high school. That was iwo Baptist high school, that was several years ago and when I came into Houston, I ran into him and he’s been more of a friend now than a junior and it’s been very helpful and that through him I’ve been able to know a couple of folks. So it’s my joy to have come here today to celebrate with him. His 60th birthday and I wishing many happy returns of the day.

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On if the celebrant has always been a level-headed character and maintained a gentle mien when he was a lot younger, “There are some secrets you don’t want to let out” Oyekan said “He wasn’t the worst of students. but then something that kept him at bay, was that our principal then, Chief Akinola was his uncle. That kept him in check from what may have been some excessive. Thank you very much”

For his part, Otunba Olakunle described the celebrant as a trustworthy and reliable fellow who always prioritise the wellbeing of his family

“My name is Otunba Olakunle Omiyale, I go by Otunba omi International. I’ve known the celebrant for 15 years, he’s is both a friend and business associate. He was member of Eko club, one of our branches in Houston. Business-wise whenever I’ve stuff to send to Nigeria, he’s my goto guy. He’s a shipping business.

“He Has never failed me. Everything gets to Nigeria safely and on time. actually he is is five years older than me. So I don’t think I should be advising when it comes to life experience. For, you know, I will just wish him many more happy years in good health prosperity. and I know he’s a very good family man. I know his wife and children are here celebrating with us at restaurant. And he’s one of those few Nigerians that people will like to emulate when it comes to family life. He doesn’t play with his family, they are always together and he has grandchildren. So he’s blessed and I pray that we all get blessed as he’s”

Olakunle also thanked Otunba TJ Abass, CEO and publisher Ekohotblog for his presence at the occasion

“Yes, I will just like to say this. Anybody reading this article, I would like to thank my big brother, Otunba TJ Abass, CEO and publisher Ekohotblog. Thank you for your presence here today, we really appreciate you, and for everybody that’s reading the article. If you find yourself in Houston, Texas, please stop by our establishment here and Omarise Bar and Grill Restaurant. And, you know, we promised to make sure that you enjoy your stay with us and the entertainment, you will not be disappointed. Thank you for the Final Destination African cuisine. In Jamaican American white. Everything you want? You to have it here, live? Entertainment Tango white of Westerner in Houston, Texas, CEO of American restaurants. We thank you. God bless you”

Abiodun Mike said “I’m from Nigeria and I’ve been in Houston for fifteen years, I’ve been leaving here for a long time. I’ve known uncle Akinola for ten years, we have been moving together and he’s very good to me. He’s nice and always gives me advice. I thank God for his life and my prayer for him is for him to live long in good health. I pray for his family too to live long”

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