Personality in Focus
Dignitaries Shower Encomiums on Tinubu at Launch of The Iconic by Samson Oki, Other in Lagos
The highly publicized book on Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu titled ‘THE ICONIC Bola Ahmed Tinubu: An Inspiration to African Youths’ was on Wednesday 12th April 2023 officially launched in an atmosphere of ceremonial grandeur and glamour at the lavish Grand Ballroom of the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. The 380-page book authored by two young media gladiators and the multi-award winning publisher of Trek Africa Newspaper, Oki Olatunji Samson and Abayomi Oyelami is a mentorship book written as a legacy of knowledge and wellspring of impetus for young Africans to learn on their road to greatness. Taking cues from the life of Nigeria’s President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the book draws from his life of dedication, hard work, perseverance, and resilience, and his results are proofs.
The book hailed the sagacity, strength of capacity, willpower, and dexterity of the Aare Ago of Yorubaland and Jagaban of Borgu while using these qualities to challenge African youths to ‘take a retrospect at your life. When you were growing up, you had a lot of dreams and aspirations, where are they now? What are you doing about your own dream? Are you hungry for success? How far are you pushing for the realization of your vision? How much work are you putting into your life’s goals? ASIWAJU, the whole world knows, what about you? Hardwork will beat talent if talent does not work hard’.
It also features chapters and segments on the wife of President-elect, Senator Oluremi Shade Tinubu OON; the Vice President-elect, H. E. Senator Kashim Shettima; the President of the Republic of Liberia, H. E. George Manneh Weah; Uganda’s young presidential candidate and popular musician, Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu (aka Bobi Wine), media/PR giant and youth ambassador, Amb. Seyi Tinubu among other bigwigs.
Great personalities, royal fathers, young and old, from various parts of the world further sends in an array of tributes. The book has gained widespread commendation and prominence within Nigeria and outside the shores of the country.
The book launch which had the Chairman of the occasion, the Board Member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) and CEO of Executive Group, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan got the royal blessings of the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua of the Source, HIM Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi as represented by HRM Olalekan Anthony Fasesin, the Alade Okin of Oriade, Osun state; the youngest royal father in Yorubaland, HRM Oba Oloyede Adeyeoba Adekoya, Arujale Ojima of Okeluse, Ondo state; and Sarki overall of Alimosho LGA Hausa community, HRH Sarki Ahmed Kuraja.
The event cochaired by the Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun was massively attended by the staunch advocates and disciples of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Nigeria and the high and mighty from different parts of Africa who expressed high optimisms about the Renewed Hope Agenda which will deliver prosperity to the most populous Black nation.
The event also got the distinguished presence of the daughter of President-elect and Iyaloja-General of the federation, Chief Mrs. Folashade Tinubu Ojo who was represented by Mrs. Folashade Ogungboye; the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa OON as represented by Mr. Dipo Odebowale, Head of NIDCOM Lagos; former Commissioner of Police, Lagos, AIG Hakeem Odumosu (retd); the Special Adviser (Special Duties & Intergovernmental Affairs) to Lagos State Governor, Hon. Mobolaji Ogunlende RAK; Commissioner, Lagos State Local Government Service Commission, Hon. Hakeem Ajasa Bamgbola; the SSA (Housing) to the Lagos State Governor, Hon. Abdul-Akeem Ayodeji Amodu; the Managing Director of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel.
Also in attendance were the Executive Chairman of Coker-Aguda LCDA, Hon. Rasaq Ibrahim Olamilekan; Convener, Asiwaju Distinguished Ambassadors Movement and Vice Chairman, Ikorodu LGA, Aarebinrin Folashade Olabanji-Oba; former FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, ACM Olusegun Ogungbemide as represented by ACC Esther E. Uzoma, FRSC Unit Commander Lagos Island; Bishop Dr. Osaze Williams from Republic of Liberia; Hon. Hammed Oladipupo, Council Leader, Itire-Ikate LCDA; CEO of Badinson Security, Mr. Matthew Ibadin; President, Evolving Women in Politics, Hajia Dr. Fatima Bello; National Treasurer, Evolving Women in Politics, Olori Aderonke Erinle; veteran Nollywood actor, Bose Joseph; foremost June 12 activist, Comrade Awa Bamiji; and CEO of Lillie’s Trend, Margaret Adewunmi among others.
Hailing the man that he always call ‘Daddy’, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan said ‘some of us don’t call him by name, we call him Daddy because he has touched our lives. He is a Consultant-General for winning elections. Nigerians will experience a new moment with a man like him.’
‘I believe that this man will help us fix the broken walls in our country. He is a leader of leaders, a manager of men and resources, a distinguished Nigerian, and very passionate. I look at my life at the time when I met him and now for more than 20 years, I have to give kudos to this man.’
On his part, the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun remarked: ‘Most of the youths may have views about the personality of the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But for me Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is someone I have worked with closely. I have been under his tutelage for the past 21 years, I worked with him as a principal officer of the State Assembly when he was Governor.’
‘He will encourage us to build a very smooth relationship in the House despite our divergent views which sometimes the arguments can be heated. He is someone who protects the truth, has a large heart, despite our issues then, we passed a lot of iconic legislations which have been replicated across the country’, he added.
Speaking at the event, the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oodua of the Source, HIM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi who was represented by HRM Oba Olalekan Anthony Fasesin assured that ‘the traditional institution would continue to support every laudable project that brings unification to the country and encourage youths to aspire.’
The former Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, AIG Hakeem Odumosu (retd) said any book written or anything said about Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not more than what he has done, ‘Since my first encounter with him as a young commissioned police officer about 30 years ago, his spirit of forgiveness, a virtue, I have learnt from him as a quintessential leader, is golden. I have vowed to work with him and remain loyal till the last day.’
Sharing his personal encounter about the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Special Duties and Intergovernmental Agency, Hon Mobolaji Ogunlende RAK commended the authors for their excellent job, adding that they were already replicating what THE ICONIC did by ‘grabbing the bull by the horns’.
‘The generation behind us will see these excellent work you have done. For Nigeria to be better, everyone has a role to play. Therefore, change and take responsibility of your community. Tinubu has set a template, a foundation for the youths’, Ogunlende remarked.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant (Housing) to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Surveyor Ayodeji Amodu called on Nigerian youths to believe in the coming government headed by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu understood what the youths needed; the tenacity at which the youths needed to be inclusive in government. He is a man that believes in the youths and ensure that a lot of them were employed into the Civil Service in 2004. You can see the LASTMA, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) and Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch. These were people met to be street urchins, but employed them enmasse and can see what they been able to bring to the table.’
In a separate interview, the author Samson Olatunji Oki said the inspiration to write a book on the President-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu was birthed in 2015 during the presidential campaign trail of President Muhammadu Buhari at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos. ‘As a reporter craving for news, I stood close to him. I also realized that throughout the campaign, he didn’t really sit down. He looked very engaged. At a point, two chilled can coke were brought to him. He held it momentarily, opened one of it and gulped it. He took the second and did the same. From there, he moved straight to the podium to address the crowd. I thought about his personality and got inspired. He is rich, well connected and had lots of influences, yet, was so much committed. With his antecedents in government and how he has carried the youths along, I saw him as not only a role model, but a mentor and an inspiration to the African Youths.’
‘This is a book for the youths. Tinubu is an enigma; a person the youths can look up to for drive and inspiration. He is a man every youth should emulate. He carries everybody along – people of different culture and ethnic backgrounds – provided the person is talented. He is astatue and not biased’, said the awardwinning publicist cum media guru.
In the same vein, the co-author Abayomi Oyelami added that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s dedication to humanity and preservation of democratic tenets were the driving force. ‘We actually started writing in 2018 and we are glad that in 2023, we have officially unveiled the book. It is a mentorship book that looks critically at the man Tinubu; the life style, personality and the dexterity he has displayed in life.’
The fellow of Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and nonprofit leader added: ‘Everytime I was writing this book, I remembered the story of the June 12 Presidential election annulment. This was a time the media was gagged but the name: Bola Ahmed Tinubu kept recurring. That was my first impression about him’.
‘He, with others, started Radio Kudirat – in honour of late Kudirat Abiola. I saw him as a man to be studied and people can learn from because in a true democracy, free press is a key component and that is why I like to say that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a person both the youths and the media can learn from. Tinubu is, indeed, a leader. Let us learn from him’, Oyelami reiterated.
The Lagos State Police Command, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has extended its heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Ayo Ogunsan on his well-deserved appointment as the Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF).
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the command noted that “Dr. Ogunsan’s appointment is a clear testimony to the unwavering trust and confidence that the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has in him.”
Reminiscing Ogunsan’s trajectory in the world of administration and security, the statement stressed that “Over the years, Dr. Ogunsan has demonstrated exceptional selflessness and commitment to strengthening the security architecture of Lagos State.”
The Command further noted as follows:
“The Commissioner of Police is confident that Dr. Ogunsan, as a distinguished member of the LSSTF Board, will assume this new role with deep institutional knowledge, proven integrity, and unwavering dedication, coupled with a strategic understanding of the security needs of Lagos State. The Command has no doubt that he will deliver on his mandate successfully.
“Dr. Ogunsan’s continued valuable contributions to the LSSTF and his longstanding partnership with security agencies across the State have positioned him exceptionally well to steer the Fund towards greater operational efficiency, an outcome that will undoubtedly enhance public safety and security throughout Lagos State.
“The Lagos State Police Command once again warmly welcomes his appointment with deep optimism and hereby assures the new Executive Secretary of its unwavering partnership and cooperation. The Command is proud of him and immensely happy to be associated with him.
“The Lagos State Police Command looks forward to further strengthening the existing synergy, support, and operational collaboration with Dr. Ayo Ogunsan and the LSSTF team in ensuring the continued safety and protection of all residents and visitors in Lagos State.”
Prior to his appointment, Ogunsan was a Board Member of the Trust Fund.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of some senior officers to top strategic command and positions, aimed to strengthen command structures and reposition the Nigerian Army for heightened operational effectiveness.
According to a statement by Army’s spokesperson, Lt.-Col. Apollonian Anele, on Thursday, the appointment cut across key command, staff and instructional positions across formations, units and training institutions of the Army.
Among the new appointees are: Major General Bamidele Alabi, who has been redeployed to Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans and appointed Chief of Policy and Plans (Army); Major General Jamal Abdulsalam, formerly Chief of Special Services and Programmes at Army Headquarters proceeds to Defence Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Defence Operations while Major General Peter Mala moves from Office of the National Security Adviser to Headquarters Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC) as Commander.
Major General Samson Jiya, from Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC) moves to Defence Headquarters Department of Defence Accounts and Budget as Chief of Defence Accounts and Budget.
Other strategic appointments include, Major General Mayirenso Saraso from NAHFC to Army Headquarters Department of Operations as Chief of Operations (Army); Major General Isa Abdullahi from Defence Headquarters to Army Headquarters Department of Administration as Chief of Administration (Army); Major General Musa Etsu-Ndagi from Army Headquarters to Department of Training to Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs as Chief of Civil-Military Affairs. Major General Abubakar Haruna from NAHFC to Nigerian Army Training Centre (NATRAC) Kontagora as Commander and Major General Philip Ilodibia from Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans to Defence Space Administration as Chief of Defence Space Administration.
Others are: Major General Godwin Mutkut, from Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) N’Djamena to Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre as Corps Commander Infantry, Major General Umar Abubakar from the Ministry of Defence to Headquarters Nigerian Army Armour Corps as Commander Armour Corps, Major General John Adeyemo moves from Nigerian Army School of Artillery (NASA) to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery as Corps Commander Artillery and Major General Mohammed Abdullahi from Nigerian Army Cyberwarfare Command to Headquarters Nigerian Army Signals as Corps Commander Signals.
Also, Major General Taofik Sidick has been redeployed from the NAHFC to Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps as Chief of Accounts and Budget (Army), Major General Abdullahi Ibrahim from NAHFC to Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps as Corps Commander Ordnance, Major General Adeyinka Adereti from Defence Headquarters to Headquarters Nigerian Army Electrical and Mechanical Engineers as Corps Commander, Major General Nansak Shagaya from Army Headquarters Department of Operations to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport as Corps Commander Supply and Transport while Brigadier General Yusha’u Ahmed has been appointed acting Corps Commander Education.
The COAS also approved the appointment of Major General Oluyemi Olatoye, from Headquarters 82 Division/ Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA to the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna and appointed Commandant, Major General Emmanuel Mustapha from Defence Space Administration to Nigerian Army Signal School as Commandant, Major General Adamu Hassan from Nigerian Defence Section, Riyadh, to Nigerian Army School of Artillery as Commandant and Brigadier General John Bulus from Headquarters Nigerian Army Finance Corps to Nigerian Army School of Finance and Accounts as Commandant.
According to the statement, the senior officers appointed as field commanders includes, Major General Saidu Audu from Army Headquarters Department of Training to Multi-National Joint Task Force (MNJTF), N’Djamena, as Force Commander, Major General Warrah Idris from Defence Headquarters to Joint Task Force North West Operation FANSAN YAMMA as Commander and Major General Oluremi Fadairo from Army Headquarters Department of Civil Military Affairs to 82 Division Nigerian Army, Enugu as General Officer Commanding and Commander Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA.
Other appointees are Major General Olatokumbo Bello as the Director Defence Media Operations at Defence Headquarters while Brigadier General Samaila Uba was redeployed from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji to Defence Headquarters as Director Defence Information.
The CIAS charged the new appointees to bring to bear their wealth of operational experience, administrative acumen and strategic foresight in driving a disciplined and combat-ready Army to decisively confront the contemporary and emerging security challenges.
He urged them to sustain the current operational momentum, strengthen interagency collaboration and remain unwavering in upholding the Nigerian Army’s core ethos of loyalty, selfless service, integrity and excellence.
Former Director General of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC) and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Otunba Segun Runsewe, has bagged the award of Pillar of Nigerian Culture and Tourism.
The award was conferred on him by the Association of Nigerian Journalists and Writers of Tourism (ANJET), the umbrella body for Nigerian travel press, on Thursday, October 23 at a colourful ceremony held at the prestigious Sheraton Lagos Hotel and Towers.
He was among some distinguished Nigerians from public and private sectors, including the former Nigerian Minister of Tourism and Culture, Ambassador Frank Ogbuewu, who were honoured for their contributions to the growth and development of Nigerian tourism.
Other distinguished Nigerians conferred with awards were: Otunba Wanle Akinboboye (Foremost National Tourism Builder and Creative Mind), Mr. Jemi Alade (National Trailblazer in Inbound Tour Operation) Engineer Tarzan Ganiyu Shekoni Balogun (National Icon in Tourist Boat Operations and Water Transportation), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung (Icon of Consistency and Resilience in National Tourism Leadership), and Chief Abimbola Bode-Thomas (Hospitality and Tourism Management Amazon).
Speaking on the award conferred on Runsewe and the other awardees, the President of ANJET Mr. Okorie Uguru said the awards aim to promote the culture of service to the people, and also showing appreciation to those who have served the nation with distinction while holding public office.
He said: “It is not about celebrating those who are serving the country now, but showing appreciation to those who have served in the past, to challenge current political office holders to put in their best.
“The individuals and distinguished Nigerians we are honouring are among the people that built the visibility and growth the tourism industry is enjoying today… They have contributed, and are still contributing to the sector.
“As holders of institutional memories and archivists of this industry, we know the roles they have played and are still playing in the development of the Nigerian tourism industry. That is why years after some of our awardees have left public offices, we still call them to bestow this honours.”
While receiving the award, Runsewe lamented the inability of Nigeria to take tourism seriously. He said: “I stopped talking for some time because there are too many talks in tourism, there is no action. We come; we speak big English and go back. Today, I am going to reveal two or three things. The last time I came out was to speak to the new executives of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN). For me, I am almost tired of talking, because there is no action.
“Let me first of all thank Ambassador Ogbuewu today. He said he does not want to come, so I urged him to come. It is only the living that can be celebrated. Let us thank God that during our lifetime, we are being celebrated. It is not everybody that has that opportunity.
“I can stand anywhere and talk about this industry. I do not need a book.
“Ambassador Ogbuewu you would recollect that President Obasanjo took your very good self, led a delegation to Trinidad and Tobago. That was the day Obasanjo made a statement, he said ‘I going to stand on the existing protocol’. That was the first time they heard that English. The then president of Trinidad asked, ‘what is he talking about.’ That is a tourism brand.
“People do not understand tourism yet. People think it is only about moving from one place to the other. No. Let me reveal a few things: how many of us know the late Pastor T.B. Joshua. T.B. Joshua was selling religious tourism and nobody keyed into it? When T. B. Joshua was having his conference in Nigeria, there were over 20 private jets parked at the airport. I, maybe you did not know before today, I normally go to the airport to list how many countries they come from. I have my data. There is religious tourism in Nigeria. We have not tapped into it. We see them as pastors. Yes, pastors doing their job, but there is tourism content in what they are doing.
“If this country manages tourism well, we should not have a single child looking for a job. After agriculture, tourism is the biggest employer of labour, but we are still playing games, we are still telling ourselves stories.”
He thanked ANJET for the award and encouraged them to continue with the good work in the industry.
