Obakpolo of Owa Kingdom thanked God for keeping him alive despite health challenges he started experiencing since age 58.
By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
It was indeed a great and happy occasion on February 26, 2022 as a great Icon, Chief Anthony Uzum, the Obakpolo of Owa Kingdom in Delta State celebrated his Platinum (70 years) birthday with pomp and pageantry.
The occasion which held at Anthony Uzum’s Estate in Akute Ogun State attracted very eminent personalities from Delta, Ogun and Lagos States. It was an occasion of reunion with his friends, relations, colleagues and contemporaries.
Speaking on the celebrant’s profile, the Deputy director Onikan General Hospital, Lagos, Dr Obaze Solomon described Chief Anthony Uzum, the Obakpolo of Owa as a humanitarian and philanthropic man who never refused to help people who asked for help.
“He gives out without minding whether something remained for him or not. Chief Obakpolo is known for his generosity and kindness to people”.
In his brief remark about their father, Dike, one of the sons stressed that their father, Chief Anthony Uzum, is an amiable husband, good and loving father, grandfather, friend and very caring.
“Our father is a disciplinarian and and trained us to the level of education we desired”
“We thank God for strengthening his life after some health challenges and today we are happy to celebrate his 70th birthday anniversary”
In a brief interaction with newsmen, the celebrant, Chief Anthony Uzum narrated how at the age of 58, he started having health challenges and that it is amazing that twelve years after, he is still alive to attain ‘this age of 70’.
“I am so excited.This is an honour. My children decided to organise this celebration to say ” Father in Heaven, Thank you for keeping me alive”
When asked how he felt celebrating his 70th birthday, the Obakpolo of Owa Kingdom said that he felt elated, “It is a joyous one”.
The celebrant who was a Customs officer during the time of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the Customs boss, said that after his secondary education, he joined the Customs and after working there for three years, he took leave and went to University. After graduating from the University, he went back to Customs and worked for another twelve years, cumulating to fifteen years, after which he resigned. He then floated a firm, Kizito Maritime Company.
When asked to comment on Atiku Abubakar, Chief Uzum said ” Atiku was my boss. He has no tribal inclination nor sentiments. He should have been the next president after Obasanjo.
” Atiku is a very decent man, a great businessman. Since he left Customs, he has been engaged in many activities”
The celebrant said that basically he is an Owa man from Owanta. According to him, the major town in Owa Kingdom is Boji Boji Agbor, Delta State.
On the upbringing of his children, Chief Anthony Uzum said that he gave his children good education and that has greatly helped them in life.
The birthday event featured some side attractions such as dancing competition, quiz for adults, traditional dances which the celebrant excitedly danced to the tune. The climax of the occasion was the cutting of three steps birthday cake by the celebrant.
Dignitaries at the event were Prof. Celina Maduemezie; Prince Jacob Akindele; Mrs Kehinde Lawal; Dr & Mrs Kanayo Nwanze; Dr & Mrs Abayomi Aiyasimoju.
Others were Mrs Atema Akindele; Dr & Mrs Omoniyi Fagbemi; Chief Hillary Ogu; Prof. Rosemary Ogu; Mr John Obayuwana; Mr Kayode Sufiyanu; Barr. N.M. Salami and Dr. Obaze Solomon, deputy director Onikan General Hospital, Lagos.
