As Otunba Festus Masajuwa Turns a Golden Age Today: Happy Birthday Sir! Femi Ojo

 

“Femo lalaaaa, Femo, Femo!! Showapa?” that’s Otunba Festus Masajuwa’s usual hailing - courtesy since October 2016; when I have known him as my boss at Wilson & Weizmann Associates, a media /public affairs consulting firm where I was an employee  for almost a decade.

Otunba Festus Masajuwa’s was the General Manager of Wilson and Weizmann  Associates, the one we all referred to as “de facto” Chief of Staff and Second in Command to our Chairman, Oga Amuta.  He is a tall man, about six feet or thereabout, in fact, the tallest amongst us as at the time I was with the firm, good-humored ,modest but sophisticated, accessible and sometimes; might be sly on a convoluted staff’ issues. Let me add that, Otunba is a fine-looking man with a good heart.

As a lesser rank staff to Otunba, I had an unhindered access to him to discuss issues ranging from matters at work, business, personal development, politics, family, welfare and even at some occasions, I sought his spiritual guidance on certain issues that seemed bizarre...did I say, he is an ordained Pastor in the Redeemed Christian Church of God, in Lagos! The man Festus Masajuwa’s was more often than not our strategic negotiator on any issue that concerned staff welfare. If you want a favour from Dr. Chidi Amuta at Wilson & Weizmann, the grand scheme is befriend Festus and you can be rest assured that he will put in sympathetic justification for you before Amuta!  At many different times,  that I got some favour like, , leave of absence from work, car loan and its eventual loan cancellation and reimbursement of the earlier payment and just to mention but a few; besides my hard work and loyalty to the company one man was instrumental- Festus!

One thing distinguished Otunba Festus from the rest of us while I was an employee in his office; he had a transmissible smile that could turn the worst of situation cheery, though he might make a little sarcasm behind your back afterwards but the magic his smile performed was always pacifying at a problematical period. He also doubled as our resident pastor and our conference room was his chapel of worship. I remember  on Mondays, we would all gather for prayers and all chorused “Amen”  to his prayers every at our usual management’s meeting. Again, Festus is a different pastor unlike the ones  a church member would go  to for financial help and would leave his member with only  prayers and the usual “ God BLESS You, You Can Now Go”. You don’t go to Otunba broke and return back with empty pocket…even if it is not up to your need, he would ensure your pocket is graced with whatever he has and end it with ‘ Shalom’.

Since my surprising  exit from Wilson & Weizmann Associates about five years ago and my venture into a serial entrepreneurialship , Otunba Festus Masajuwa  did not break our cord of communications and would occasionally call, send text messages or chat me up to either say hello or find out one thing or the other.

As Otunba Festus Masajuwa turns the proverbial golden year of 50 today, I wish him nothing but pure joy, may God perfect everything concerning him. May he not know better yesterday and not weep over his seeds.

Here is wishing Otunba Festus Masajuwa, boss, brother, pastor, advisor life’s finest things at 50!

Now, let me go prepare for our zoom party!

Happy Birthday Boss!