Date: 2017-12-30

Today, 30 December, I join family members, friends, colleagues, associates, well-wishers and the good people of Kwara State and beyond to celebrate a caring, selfless, humane and loving woman and mentor, Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed, wife of the Executive Governor of Kwara State, as she turns a year older today.

Getting to know Her Excellency, Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed has been a blessing to me, as she has been a very strong pillar of support to me and my family. I would forever appreciate all God has used her to do in my life. No doubt, Mama as fondly called by her relatives and close associates, is a servant-leader that is willing to sacrifice anything for the masses.

Mrs. Ahmed is compassionate, and filled with utmost humility; she has this reassuring smile that makes all those around her feel special and loved. Mama has an enduring passion for humanity and has made great impact in her immediate community and beyond. She is sympathetic to the needy and always willing to assist people who are deprived.

This among other reasons prompted her to establish the Life Empowered Anchors Hope, LEAH Foundation, as a means to address the socio-economic and health challenges of the needy, with special focus on women and girls.

Through her initiative, LEAH Foundation, she has given hope to the hopeless and put smiles on the faces of many women and girls within and outside Kwara State. She had been actively involved in humanitarian service long before she became the First Lady of Kwara State.

In recognition of the contributions of LEAH Foundation towards the eradication of cancer in women, the organisation was in April 2016 admitted into the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC). UICC is the largest cancer fighting organisation in the world, with a network of more than 900 members in 155 affiliate countries.

Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed is a devout Christian, who has a deeper relationship with God and allows the consciousness and fear of God to dictate and guide her way of life. She strongly believes that God made her what she is today, to make positive impacts in the lives of people around her.

A philosopher once asserted, "the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." Mrs Ahmed has no doubt lost herself in the service to humanity, as she has engaged in several philanthropic gestures.

In recognition of the wonderful jobs she is doing through her foundation, Omolewa Ahmed has won several awards and recognitions within and outside Nigeria

Ma, as you celebrate your birthday today, I thank God Almighty for preserving your live till this day and pray that may HE continue to grant you good health, wisdom and longevity to keep serving Him and humanity.

Happy birthday Deaconess Omolewa Ahmed. Age with grace Ma.