By Oki Samson
CITIZENS COMPASS—Hallelujah! At 49, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan is not just living and counting years, he is living, he is leading, and he is worshiping the King Supreme, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
Yesterday, Sunday 12th October, 2025, the Board Member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and Chairman of Executive Group marked his 49th birthday with the 5th edition of the Gospel Hymns and Songs Birthday Concert, a spiritually refreshing evening that brought the convergence of political office holders, business magnates, law enforcement chiefs, music icons, clergymen, educationists, and media giants from their busy schedules into the atmosphere of thanksgiving and praise. They are all united in gratitude to God for the life of a great man, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan who blends his deep spirituality with business excellence, and faith in God with service to humanity.
The crème de la crème of the society that includes; the eminent Odole Oodua/Chairman of Premier Lotto, Sir Kessington Adebutu who is clocking 90 in a few days; Chairman of Gibraltar, Sir Olu Okeowo and his wife, Lady Adejoke Okeowo; the Consular General of China, Yan Yuqing; the MD/CEO of First Bank, Mr. Segun Alebiosu; Chairman of JB farms, Mr. Ajibola Adebutu and his wife; the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun; Senator Gbenga Ashafa; HRM Oba Gabriel Adejumo, the Oba of Ishan Ekiti, hometown monarch of Dr. Ogunsan; HRM Oba Lateef Egbeyemi, Ologba of Ogba Lagos; Hon. Wale Ahmed; members of the Lagos State Executive Council viz. Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi; Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Folashade Ambrose-Medebem; Commissioner of Housing, Hon. Akinderu Fatai; Commissioner for Youth & Social Development, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende RAK; and Special Adviser (climate) to Gov. Sanwo-Olu, Dr. Mrs. Titi Oshodi; Special Adviser to Gov. Sanwo-Olu on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile; ADC to Gov. Sanwo, CSP Silas Tsado.
Others are Dr. Tinu Sanda, former COO of Ikeja electric; former Chairman of Orile Agege LCDA, Hon. Johnson Babatunde; MD of Lagos Bus Service Ltd, Mr. Idowu Oguntona; the founder of Greenspring school, Mrs. Koiki; Vice Chancellor of Anchor University, Prof. Samuel Bandele and many more.
The gallant men and women at the helms of policing and internal security were well-represented. They include former DIG Force CID, DIG Abiodun Alabi (retd); former DIG Operations, DIG Bode Adeleke (retd) and his wife, Mrs. Modupe Adeleke; former AIG INTERPOL, AIG Lanre Bankole (retd); former Force Secretary, AIG Yetunde Longe (retd); AIG in charge of Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade and his wife, Mrs. Adekemi Fayoade; AIG in charge of Force CID Annex Alagbon, AIG Margaret Ochalla; AIG Lanre Ishola and his wife; the Lagos Commissioner of Police Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh; CP Akin Fakorede; DC Operations, Delta State Command, DCP Muyiwa Adejobi; DCP Matthew Obiuwevbi; DCP Abubakar Yakubu; AC Admin, Lagos State Command, ACP Mary Ayim; several other senior officers.
The dynamic public leader, security expert, entrepreneur, educationist, philanthropist and passionate worshiper, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan opened the evening of worship with his soulful rendition of two hymns to set the tone for an event that transcended the ordinary. He also on different occasions sang ‘I’d rather have Jesus, Jesus You are the center of my Joy’ among others.
Singing virtually, his first daughter, Mercy Ogunsan also took center stage with her powerful rendition of ‘Jesus wept’, an excellent vocal description of Christ’s passion written and composed by her mother and celebrity minstrel, Dr. Mrs. Ajoke Ogunsan.
The power couple, Dr. and Dr. Mrs. Ayo Ogunsan took the song ‘there’s nothing better than living for Him’. They were immediately joined by their two other daughters, Joy and Seun who are physically in attendance to sing the timeless hymnal ‘Great is Your faithfulness’ which aroused emotions in the entire auditorium and erupted into a standing ovation in worship of the King of the universe.
Other vocalists, choirs, and groups took turns to sing various hymnals, choruses, and special compositions. They include Prof. Albert who sang ‘You deserve the glory and the honor’, Pastor Wale Dosunmu who stated Christians should not do church but rather focus on God in ‘righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Ghost’, a fantastic oldie; The Young Executives Forum that sang ‘I am part of the family of God’.
In one of the night’s most iconic moments, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan alongside Psts. Hon. Taiwo Olasunkanmi and Taiwo Adeniran sang ‘Oreofe sha’, the epic Yoruba hymn to celebrate the Grace of God in the life of 90-year-old Odole Oodua Sir Kessington Adebutu who was in high spirits at the evening of worship. Dr. Ogunsan highly eulogized the philanthropist elder statesman for his fatherly role in his life noting that ‘if you meet him in the morning, this is the song he sings’. He also thanked the man fondly known as Baba Ijebu immensely for his momentous roles which has made him not to often miss his biological dad, Engr. Akinola Ogunsan who passed away about 17 years ago.
The spirit of worship continued to soar as eminent guests like Sir Olu Okeowo rendered three classics, Glory be to God in the highest, Hosanna blessed be the name of the Lord, and Fehinti Fehinti Jesu ni mo Fehinti classic; First Bank’s CEO, Mr. Segun Alebiosu sang ‘We bless You O Lord of heaven and earth’; the Consular General of China, Yan Yuqing who proclaimed that she is Ayo, Uchechukwu and Fatima to Nigerians sang the happy birthday song in Chinese for Dr. Ogunsan; AIG Lanre Bankole (retd) and his wife sang the chorus ‘the most excellent name is Jesus.’
The 5th Dr. Ayo Ogunsan Gospel Hymns and Songs Birthday Concert came to the crescendo as minstrel and music minister, Dr. (Mrs.) Ajoke Ogunsan delivered 5 original compositions viz. Who is like You, Oba nla, Osuba re, You lifted me, and All creation bow before You – to the thanksgiving dance, worshipful thrill, and raised hands of the audiences. She also used the opportunity to invite the guests to the official launch event of her inaugural album in December.
For Dr. Ogunsan, the 49th birthday is a milestone of leadership and legacy which yearns to see all of humanity drawn to the Divinity of Jesus Christ.
