“If God gives me another 45 years, I will still choose the Ilesha girl I met at Ife” — Samson ‘Yomi Osewa
For Pharm. Victoria Olayemi Osewa, September 26, 2026, is a day that brings together two extraordinary milestones — her 70th birthday and 45 years of marriage to the man who has shared her journey through life, Samson ‘Yomi Osewa.
It is a double celebration of life, love, faith, family and purpose.
For her husband, however, the occasion represents far more than the passage of time. It is an opportunity to celebrate a woman he describes as his “Queen,” “heartthrob” and “Victory”, while reflecting on seven decades of a life dedicated to God, family, professional excellence, education and service to humanity.
In his special tribute to his wife, Osewa described September 26 as a date written by divine providence.
“Today, September 26, 2026, is not just a date. It is a divine appointment.”
FROM WESLEY GUILD HOSPITAL TO 70 YEARS OF GRACE
According to Osewa, the story of Victoria began 70 years ago at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesha, where her parents, Pa Joseph Ojo Oludare and Madam Beatrice Omoloye Oludare, welcomed her into the world.
She was the eighth child of her father and the fifth and last child of her mother.
“70 years ago, God released a treasure to the family of Pa Joseph Ojo Oludare and Madam Beatrice Omoloye Oludare at Wesley Guild Hospital, Ilesha — a baby girl named Victoria Olayemi,” he recalled.
But the same date would later assume another extraordinary significance.
On September 26, 1981, Victoria married Osewa.
Thus, the date on which she was born became the same date on which she entered into marriage — a coincidence her husband regards as a remarkable expression of God’s hand in their lives.
“45 years ago, on this same birthday date — September 26, 1981 — that baby girl became my wife,” he said.
“What a God! Who else can make the day you were born the day you become one with your husband? Only God.”
A WOMAN WHO SAID YES TO GOD
Osewa’s tribute paints the portrait of a woman whose life has been deeply rooted in Christian faith and service.
He recalled that Victoria surrendered her life to Christ while at The Polytechnic, Ibadan, and subsequently committed herself to various areas of Christian service.
“You surrendered to Christ at The Polytechnic Ibadan and never looked back,” he said.
Her Christian journey, according to him, took her through the PICUS Choir, ECU Hospital Visitation Group in Ife and the Children’s Department of Foursquare Gospel Church, Akrabata Layout.
She later served as a Council Member and FWI Leader in Ota and became an Elder in Foursquare.
She is also a Life Member of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship and a Haggai Alumna.
“You have served God without break for 50 years,” Osewa said.
He recalled that together they founded the Sure Home Family Forum, aimed at helping strengthen and heal marriages and homes.
“With me, you founded Sure Home Family Forum to heal other homes. What a legacy!” he stated.
Even at 70, he said, her passion for prayer and worship remains undiminished.
“At 70, you still love singing and praying. You are a mother in Israel,” he added.
PHARMACIST WITH A HEART FOR SERVICE
Victoria’s academic and professional journey has also been a significant part of her story.
Her education took her through St. Theresa’s, St. Mary’s and Ilesha Grammar School between 1970 and 1974. She proceeded to Ibadan Polytechnic for her A-Level studies and later attended the University of Ife, where she obtained a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree in 1981.
She completed her internship in 1981–1982, undertook the National Youth Service Corps programme from 1982 to 1983 and later worked at the General Hospital, Ota.
In 1986, she established SAMVIC PHARMACY LTD, which became an important part of her professional contribution to the community.
For Osewa, her professional journey was distinguished not simply by achievement but by character.
“Pharmacist with integrity. God crowned your work,” he said.
WHEN PROFESSION GAVE WAY TO PURPOSE
Perhaps one of the most defining decisions of Victoria’s life came in 1998.
At the height of her pharmacy career, she made a decision that would change the direction of her life’s work.
“At the peak of your pharmacy, in 1998, you heard God say, ‘Start a school.’ You left profit for purpose,” Osewa recalled.
Together, the couple established The Ambassadors Nursery and Primary School, an institution built around the development of children academically, morally and spiritually.
“You and I birthed The Ambassadors Nursery and Primary School,” he said.
According to him, what began as a response to a perceived divine call has grown into a platform for raising children who can make meaningful contributions to society.
“Today, that vision is a city on a hill, raising godly children who will be mighty vessels,” he said, drawing inspiration from the biblical description of believers as ambassadors for Christ.
“At 70, you are still there, still teaching, still sowing,” he added.
45 YEARS OF LOVE, FAMILY AND COMPANIONSHIP
Beyond the milestones of career and ministry, Osewa’s tribute is perhaps most emotional when he speaks about their 45-year marriage.
“You gave me 45 years of unbroken love,” he told his wife.
Their marriage has been blessed with three children — Oluwaseun Temitope, Ifeoluwa Oreofe and Iyanuoluwa Oluwapelumi — and four grandchildren, Aimee, Anna, Jesutomiloba and Jesupelumi.
“You mothered them in the fear of God,” Osewa said.
He described their grandchildren as “four crowns” and concluded: “Your home is Sure Home indeed.”
HER LEGACY IS IN THE LIVES SHE HAS TOUCHED
For Osewa, Victoria’s greatest achievement cannot be measured merely in professional titles, institutions or material accomplishments.
He believes her greatest legacy is the lives she has influenced.
“You do not just live, you pour,” he said.
“You teach, you give to the needy, you preach the gospel, you win souls. Your legacy is not just buildings, it is lives.”
His description echoes the portrait of the virtuous woman in Proverbs 31, particularly the passage that speaks of strength, honour, wisdom, kindness and the praise of her children and husband.
“Victoria, I praise you today,” he declared.
70 YEARS OF GRACE, 45 YEARS OF FAITHFULNESS
For Osewa, the significance of the occasion cannot be captured by numbers alone.
“If I count your age, it is 70. If I count our marriage, it is 45. But if I count God’s faithfulness in your life, it is uncountable,” he said.
He thanked his wife for three pivotal “yeses” that, in his view, shaped her life — her decision to accept Christ, her decision to marry him and her decision to embrace the educational calling that led to The Ambassadors Schools.
“Thank you for letting God write your story,” he said.
“Thank you for saying YES to Jesus at Ibadan Poly. Thank you for saying YES to me at Ife. Thank you for saying YES to purpose in 1998.”
And then came his summation of the woman he has celebrated for 45 years:
“You are not just 70 years old, you are 70 years of grace, 70 years of virtue, 70 years of victory.”
A HUSBAND’S PRAYER
As his wife begins another decade, Osewa prayed for renewed strength, continued relevance and greater fulfilment.
“May your oil never run dry,” he prayed.
“May your strength be renewed like the eagle’s — Isaiah 40:31. May your latter years be greater than your former.”
He also prayed that she would live to see her great-grandchildren and witness the continued growth of the educational legacy she helped build.
“May you live to see your great-grandchildren, and may The Ambassadors Schools you laboured for outlive us all,” he said.
“I WILL STILL CHOOSE THE ILESHA GIRL I MET AT IFE”
Perhaps the most touching declaration in Osewa’s tribute came at the conclusion, when he looked beyond the 45 years already spent together.
“If God gives me another 45 years, I will still choose the Ilesha girl I met at Ife,” he declared.
Then, with the affection of a husband celebrating the woman who has walked beside him for nearly half a century, he concluded:
“My heartthrob. Happy 70th Birthday, my Queen.
“Happy 45th Wedding Anniversary, my Victory.
“I love you. I honour you. I celebrate you — in all realms of life.”
For Victoria Olayemi Osewa, 70 is therefore more than an age.
It is a testimony.
Forty-five years of marriage is more than an anniversary.
It is a journey.
And as her husband celebrates her, his message is unmistakable: 70 years of grace, 45 years of love, and a lifetime of impact.
