It was a carnival-like spectacle in Agulu, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, as family members, friends, dignitaries and well-wishers gathered in large numbers to celebrate the 90th birthday of respected elder statesman, Silas Amamchukwu Ejide.
The colourful celebration, held on Saturday at his country home, was marked by pomp, music, dancing and an atmosphere of deep gratitude as the community turned out in their numbers to honour the nonagenarian whose life many described as exemplary.
Chief Ejide, who holds the revered traditional title Odu Ochiliozua of Agulu, sat at the centre of the festivities, receiving guests who came from far and near to celebrate a life he described as fulfilled and blessed by God.
For the celebrant, the milestone birthday was not merely a celebration of age but a testimony of divine grace.
Speaking with journalists during the celebration, the patriarch expressed deep gratitude to God for granting him the privilege of attaining such remarkable longevity.
“I am grateful to God for attaining the age of 90,” he said with visible 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, human achievements and longevity are only possible through divine grace and guidance.
He expressed surprise at the level of appreciation shown him by the Agulu community and beyond.
“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.
“Agulu proved me wrong”
“Everyone who came here today came with happiness and joy. They were smiling and laughing. Before now, I used to think my people disliked me, but today I have been proven wrong.”
Chief Ejide is the father of ten children, who lost a daughter in adulthood after an illness.
Despite the painful loss, the family has remained united and grateful for what they describe as God’s sustaining grace.
He is today blessed with more than twenty grandchildren, many of whom were present at the celebration to honour the man they fondly describe as the pillar of their family.
“I thank God for granting me the grace of long life. I still ask God for longer life and good health because no one ever prays for God to take his life.”
“Today I feel fulfilled, and I pray that God will bless everyone who came to celebrate with me.”
His first son, Okechukwu Ejide, described his father’s 90th birthday as a rare blessing.
“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 why they decided to celebrate their father while still alive.
“In our society today, people slaughter cows and prepare elaborate meals when their loved ones die,” he said.
“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.”
“This celebration is to make him joyful and to encourage him to live many more years in good health,” he added.
“My prayer is for God to continue to keep him healthy and strong,” he said.
Peace lover
“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 said.
One of the daughters-in-law, Obiageli Ejide, expressed deep joy that her father-in-law had reached the remarkable age of 90.
“My heart is filled with joy and happiness that my father-in-law is 90 years old,” she said.
“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.”
“I love him like my own father. He is one in a million who 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.”
The celebration lasted several hours and featured traditional music, dancing, prayers and goodwill messages from friends and well-wishers who came to honour a man whose life they described as one defined by humility, integrity and gratitude to God.
