By Mimi Chiadikaobi
It was a carnival-like atmosphere on Saturday as Chief Sir Silas Amamchukwu Ejide marked his 90th birthday in grand style at his country home in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The celebration was filled with pomp, glitz, music, merriment, and the clinking of wine glasses as family members, friends, well-wishers, and dignitaries from different walks of life gathered to honour the respected elder statesman.
Chief Sir Ejide, who holds the traditional title “Odu Ochiliozua of Agulu,” used the occasion to celebrate a life he described as “fulfilled and blessed by God. ” The colourful ceremony attracted guests from far and near, all of whom came to rejoice with him on the milestone.
The nonagenarian is a father of ten children, although he lost one at adulthood. He is also blessed with more than twenty grandchildren.Despite
Despite the pain of losing a child, his family remains united and grateful for the grace that has sustained them over the years.
Speaking with our reporter, Sir Ejide expressed profound gratitude to God for granting him the privilege of reaching the remarkable age of 90.
“I am grateful to God for attaining the age of 90,” he said with excitement. “Ninety years is not ninety days, neither is it ninety hours. It is only God who could have made this possible in my life.” According to him, nothing meaningful can be achieved in life without the grace and guidance of God.
Overwhelmed by the massive turnout of people who attended the celebration, the elderly celebrant expressed surprise and joy at the show of love from his community.
“Today, the people of Agulu have shown me that they truly love and appreciate me. I never knew I was loved this much by my people,” he said emotionally.
“Everyone who came here today came with happiness, joy, and appreciation. They were all smiling and laughing. Before now, I used to think my people disliked me, but today I have been proven wrong.”
He expressed deep appreciation to everyone who attended the ceremony and thanked God for preserving his life to witness such a memorable occasion.
“I thank God for granting me the grace of longevity; I still ask God for longer life and good health because no one ever prays for God to take his life.” he added.
Sir Ejide also used the opportunity to pray for peace and unity among his people.
“I pray that God will help our people to live in peace and unity and not bear false allegations against one another. Today I feel fulfilled, and I pray that God will bless everyone who came to celebrate with me.”
Speaking to newsmen during the event, his first son, Mr. Okechukwu Ejide, expressed immense joy that his father had reached the age of 90 in good health.
According to him, it was a rare privilege to see one’s children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren grow up under the guidance of a living patriarch.
“It is a great grace for a father to witness his children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren while still alive,” he said.
Mr. Ejide explained that the family deliberately decided to celebrate their father while he is still alive so that he could personally witness the honour and love being shown to him.
“In our society today, people usually slaughter cows and prepare elaborate meals when their loved ones die. But we decided to celebrate our father while he is alive so that he can see how much he means to us and to others,”
“We want him to be happy while he is still with us. This celebration is to make him joyful and to encourage him to live many more years in good health.”he explained.
He further disclosed that the family originally had ten children—four boys and six girls—but sadly lost one of the daughters after an illness.
Despite the loss, the family has continued to grow, and the patriarch now has more than twenty grandchildren, which the family considers a great honour worthy of celebration.
“My prayer now is for God to continue to keep him healthy and strong,” “We also pray that he will always be well taken care of, given good food at the right time, and surrounded with happiness. All these will help him remain joyful and live longer.”he said.
Speaking about his father’s character, Mr. Ejide described him as a man of integrity and peace.
“My father is a truthful person and a lover of peace. He never stays where evil is being committed. He always stands for what is right.” he added.
The first daughter, Mrs Ngozi Ofoedu urged the public around their lives to step into her father’s mark to do more charitable for a lasting memories of him.
“My father’s life is exemplary in sll areas of human thinking, my father as a business guru had many apprentice under him and he settled all of them at the end of their apprenticeship, which is rare to see.
She also thanked all their guests who travelled far and near to grace the occasion. More especially her husband Chief Ezeugo Onwudiwe Ofoedu for standing tall with her in their many years of marriage and his kinsmen.
Also speaking at the event, one of his daughters-in-law, Mrs. Obiageli Ejide, expressed deep happiness that her father-in-law had reached the age of 90.
“My heart is filled with joy and happiness that my father-in-law is 90 years old.
“I am proud of him. He never jokes with me, and I thank God for giving me such a wonderful father-in-law. If there is another world, I would still want him to be my father-in-law again.”she said.
She described him as a rare and remarkable individual.
“I love him so much. I love him like my own father. He is one in a million. You cannot find two people like him,” she said.
According to her, the lifestyle of the nonagenarian is exemplary, noting that he is honest, straightforward, and always stands for the truth.
“He stands firmly for truth and does not discriminate. He is very caring. Every morning he calls to check on me if I have not called him first.
“He would say, ‘My wife, I have not heard from you today.’ That shows how caring he is. His smile is warm and engaging, and he is always neat and handsome.” she added.
The event, which lasted several hours, featured music, dancing, prayers, and goodwill messages from friends and well-wishers who came to honour a man whose life they described as one of integrity, humility, and gratitude to God.
