I write to celebrate an incredible man who has played a pivotal role in my life. He is my dear brother and father figure, Pastor Wole Akinrinlola. On this special day, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for the profound impact you have had on me, especially during my formative years.
I still vividly remember my primary school days at LA Primary School in Ode Aye. As I was preparing to write my entrance exams for secondary school, you arrived from Lagos in your sleek Peugeot 504 GL, bringing with you excitement and dreams of the bustling city. My desire to follow you back to Lagos for the holiday was so strong that I cried rivers, longing for the chance to experience everything you had especially your big television and videos, a stark contrast to the small black-and-white sets we had back home.
However, you set a condition before taking me to Lagos: I had to read a few English comprehension passages and solve some simple maths. At that time, I struggled with both and found myself weeping, feeling as though you didn’t love me and even thought I was beneath you. When you informed our father that I wasn’t ready and needed to be returned to private school, it felt like a crushing blow. I was demoted from primary 6 to primary 3, a setback that left me initially unhappy.
Yet, looking back, I see how that intervention ignited a fire within me. It instilled a sense of urgency and fear that pushed me to take my studies seriously. By the time I reached primary 4, everything changed. God intervened miraculously and opened my mind and brain to learning, and I quickly caught up, becoming brilliant and sound in my studies. I often wonder who knows where I would be today if it weren’t for your guidance and tough love?
Happy birthday, Pastor Wole Akinrinlola! You are an anointed man of God and an extraordinary brother. Thank you for believing in my potential and for shaping my path toward education and success. May this day be filled with joy, love, and blessings as you celebrate another year of life. You are truly cherished!
With all my love,
Pastor Olumide Akinrinlola,
Publisher, Starnews NG
June 26, 2026
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