By Grace Olawuyi
ABEOKUTA — A grand surprise birthday celebration has been held in honour of Mr. Obawunmi Jiboku, the Co-Director of Taidob College, orchestrated by his wife, Oluwabusayomi, siblings and the school management in the historic city of Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Fondly referred to as OBA within the school community, the edupreneur and Rotarian was visibly stunned as coworkers and students gathered to shower him with encomiums, tributes, and musical celebrations to mark his milestone on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in the historic city of Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Tripod Times reports that the high-profile event, which caught the prominent educator completely off guard, was intentionally hosted at a private residence in the city rather than on the school premises to ensure total secrecy.
The milestone celebration brought together family members, seasoned academicians, and alumni, alongside prominent captains of industry including the CEO of Rockcity FM, Dr. Niran Malaolu, and the CEO of Ecogas, Chief Shina Luwoye, who gathered to honor his immense contributions to the educational landscape of the state.
The carefully orchestrated surprise unfolded beautifully as guests quietly arrived at the private home hours before the celebrant’s arrival. Under the guise of attending an urgent off-site administrative meeting, Mr. Jiboku walked into the residence only to be met by the deafening cheers and applause of loved ones singing birthday songs. The Director was reportedly left completely stunned and deeply emotional upon recognizing close childhood and professional friends who had flown in all the way from Australia, Europe, and other parts of the world just to surprise him on his milestone day.
A deeply moving highlight of the afternoon was the maternal blessings and prayers showered on the celebrant by his mother, Chief Mrs. Hope Olayinka Jiboku, who invoked divine favor, long life, and continuous impact for her son.
The event also showcased strong family ties as his siblings, Engr. Idowu Jiboku and Mrs. Taiwo Itopa-Emmanuel (nee Jiboku), lent their full support, organizing logistics and standing firmly by their brother to ensure the milestone was celebrated in grand style.
Earlier, his wife, Mrs. Oluwabusayomi Jiboku, had emotionally eulogized her husband’s exceptional qualities, describing him as a deeply loving partner, an exemplary father, and a pillar of strength.
Distinguished guests, including Dr. Malaolu and Chief Luwoye, also took turns to shower encomiums on Mr. Jiboku, praising his progressive approach to modern education and youth empowerment. The intimate celebration featured a special documentary detailing his life’s journey, testimonies from former students, and a spectacular cake-cutting ceremony.
The atmosphere inside the private residence was charged with joy and nostalgia as friends from near and far shared stories of Mr. Jiboku’s resilience and dedication to the community.
Mr. Jiboku dedicated the milestone to God, his loving mother, his supportive siblings, his wife, and his dedicated team, while expressing his profound amazement at the global turnout, thanking his international friends for making such an incredible journey.
The private celebration concluded with a series of group photographs, capturing a significant milestone for a man who remains a true inspiration to the academic community.
