Family members, political associates and friends have been congratulating the first member of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission, Evangelist Comrade Francis Akhigbe who added another year to his years today.
Several platforms on social media, including the ones he belongs and those he doesn’t belong have been abuzz with messages, congratulating the man Local Government Council staff have come to know as a man of integrity, accountability and uncommon love for Local Government staff as a result of his worker friendly disposition when he acted as the Chairman of the Edo State Local Government Service Commission for a brief period earlier this year.
While thanking God for the gift of life, Comrade Akhigbe who is a political juggernaut in his own right and master of grassroots politics, noted that he has been blessed to be standing to be counted.
“In the journey of life, inspite of all challenges, you either stand up to be counted or you lie down and be counted out.
“By God’s infinite mercy, I am standing up and being counted. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME.”
Comrade Akhigbe’s colleagues in the pen profession have not been left out in eulogising him on his birthday as journalists in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), from former and current executive members of the union to members have been sending their birthday wishes.
In his message, a Senior Special Assistant to Governor Monday Okpebholo of Edo State, Comrade Benson Odia described Akhigbe as a sagacious politician, a man of character who is enigmatic.
According to Odia, “Happy Birthday to a Cosmopolitan Leader, a Sagacious Politician, a Goal Getter, a Silent Achiever, a Visionary Leader Per Excellence, an epitome of Political and Administrative ideologies, a Political Colossus, an Enigma, a Man of Character, Competence and Capacity, a Man of Integrity,a Jolly Good Fellow, Hon Francis Akhigbe, as you mark your natal day celebration today, may God Almighty in his infinite mercies, bless you beyond your expectations, grant you all your heart desires, long life and Overflowing Prosperity in Good Health in the mighty name of Jesus Christ Amen. Congratulations and Age Gracefully Sir.”