The planning committee for the 90th birthday celebration of High Chief Dr Saka Balogun has announced rescheduled dates for the landmark event following the successful Oriire rescue operation.
The safe release of the abducted pupils and teachers has brought widespread relief across Oyo State, turning a period of deep communal anxiety into a moment of collective thanksgiving.
In an statement signed by the Planning Committee Chairman, Mr Gbite Adegoke (GMA), the committee praised the unified Oyo State security operation for ensuring that all victims returned home safely to their families.
Dr Saka Balogun: Birthday Events Rescheduled After Successful Rescue Operation
The committee had previously frozen all upcoming public festivities for the elder statesman in solidarity with the affected families, prioritising the community’s welfare during the local security emergency.
The committee described the victims’ safe return as “a moment of great relief and thanksgiving for their families, the school community, Oyo State, and Nigeria.”
The committee noted it had “earlier postponed the week-long activities marking High Chief Balogun’s 90th birthday, originally scheduled for July 22 to 25, in solidarity with the abducted pupils, teachers, and their families, stressing that their safety and well-being were far more important than any social celebration.”
Following the successful operation, the committee announced that the “90th birthday book launch, public lecture and grand celebration would now hold on September 4 and 5, while the special prayer session earlier fixed for July 22 would take place as scheduled.”
Committee Commends Coordinated Security Efforts
The collaborative effort behind the rescue operation has drawn extensive praise from regional leadership and community stakeholders.
The committee joined millions of Nigerians in thanking God for the successful rescue and commended “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun Corps), and other security agencies for their coordinated efforts that led to the successful operation.
It also praised traditional rulers and key stakeholders for their contributions to the rescue efforts, particularly the “Soun of Ogbomosoland, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (Orumogege III); the Olugbon of Ile-Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao; the Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oyediran; and other royal fathers whose interventions and support helped secure the victims’ release.”
A Career of Public Service Reviewed
Describing High Chief Saka Balogun as a “distinguished academic, accomplished administrator, seasoned politician, and respected community leader,” the committee emphasized that his decades of service have made significant contributions to the development of Ogbomosoland, Oyo State, and Nigeria.
According to the statement, High Chief Balogun taught History at Makerere University, Uganda, the University of Ibadan, and the University of Ilorin, where he retired. He also served as “Chairman of the Osun North West Local Schools Board, Presidential Liaison Officer during the administration of the late President Shehu Shagari, Chairman of the Council of the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), Badagry, Commissioner for Finance in the administration of the late Dr Omololu Olunloyo in the old Oyo State, and Chief of Staff to the late former Governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala.
The statement further noted that High Chief Balogun is the National Adviser of Egbe Omo Ogbomoso Parapo Agbaye, the apex socio-cultural organisation of Ogbomosoland, a prominent member of the Ogbomoso Consultative Council (OCC), and currently serves on Governor Seyi Makinde’s Elders’ Forum in Oyo State.
The committee concluded with prayers for enduring peace and improved security across Oyo State and Nigeria, urging citizens to continue supporting governments at all levels and security agencies in their collective efforts to protect lives and property.
