Personality in Focus
Dignitaries Shower Encomiums on Tinubu at Launch of The Iconic by Samson Oki, Other in Lagos
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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 Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, has commended Globacom for its unwavering commitment to the preservation and promotion of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, noting that the telecommunications company’s sustained support has helped transform the Ofala Festival into a world-renowned cultural celebration.
Speaking on the 2026 edition of the festival, held at Ime Obi, Onitsha, Anambra State, on Friday, the monarch paid a glowing tribute to Globacom for its longstanding role as the principal sponsor of the festival, a partnership that has spanned fifteen consecutive years since 2011.
According to the monarch, “Their partnership has transformed the festival from a palace ritual to a world-renowned cultural festival owes a great deal to purposeful partnership. Since 2011, Globacom has stood with us as our principal partner – now fifteen consecutive years of unwavering commitment.” He added that “In good times and challenging times, Globacom has helped us preserve the authenticity of Ofala while enhancing its presentation, documentation, broadcast and global reach. They have helped take a living heritage to the global stage”.
Igwe Achebe also applauded the vision of Globacom’s Chairman, Dr Mike Adenuga Jr., whose commitment to cultural preservation, he noted, reflects a profound appreciation of the role of indigenous traditions in strengthening national identity and social cohesion.
“I thank Globacom and its Chairman, Otunba (Dr) Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON, a true man of culture, for his vision and belief that culture is not a luxury but a foundation for unity,” the monarch said.
Commenting on the theme of this year’s festival, “Igba Mbo, Iga N’Iru” — Strive and Advance — Igwe Achebe described it as a compelling call to diligence, excellence, self-improvement and collective progress. He explained that the theme embodied the enduring spirit of the forebears who built the Onitsha kingdom on the banks of the Niger, while challenging younger generations to preserve that legacy through enterprise, purposeful endeavour and a commitment to progress.
In his goodwill message to the monarch and the people of Onitsha, Dr Adenuga described Globacom’s association with the Ofala Festival “since 2011 has been much more than a corporate partnership. It has been a relationship which we cherish deeply and regard as a privilege”. He expressed profound appreciation to Igwe Achebe for the opportunity afforded Globacom to contribute to the preservation, celebration and wider projection of the community’s priceless cultural heritage.
He noted that the annual festival provides a valuable platform for showcasing the rich cultural traditions, dignity and enduring values of the Onitsha people to audiences across Nigeria, Africa and the wider world.
Through its longstanding partnership with Ofala, Globacom continues to demonstrate that corporate citizenship extends beyond commercial enterprise to the preservation of the cultural foundations that give communities their identity, strengthen their unity and connect generations.
Kardinal Business Travel, a travel technology company with African and global focus, was among 60 startups that pitched at the 2nd edition of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Startup Awards, held at the ECOWAS Commission headquarters in Abuja recently.
The company’s Chief Executive Officer and Founder, Cornelius Ugwunwa, presented the company’s case at the three-day event. The awards was part of an ECOWAS initiative to help West African businesses and startups scale through digital transformation, regional integration and sustainable value chains, with the aim of widening access to global markets.
Temitope Kareem, founder of Nigerian healthtech firm HubPharm Africa, won the top prize of $30,000. Senegal’s Gaynako took home $20,000 as first runner-up, while Steve Bah Blesson’s MyOpinion from Côte d’Ivoire won $15,000 as second runner-up.
Speaking during his pitch, Ugwunwa said Africa needs a new system for business travel. He cited a market with $75 billion in inbound travel spending and a strong business travel component in 2025, while travel and tourism as a whole contributed $228 billion to the regional economy.
“When a company sends its employees across Africa for a business engagement, we at Kardinal noticed the challenges of countless inboxes, spreadsheets and emails, mostly after the trip.
Businesses keep asking: How much did we spend? Who did we spend it on? Was it above or below budget? Can we reconcile everything on one platform?” he said.
He described African business travel as a $30 billion market that is largely fragmented and overly dependent on manual processes.
According to him, many businesses lose over $1 billion to manual travel processing and cannot track spending in real time. “That is why Kardinal exists: to solve this entrenched problem,” he said.
Ugwunwa said GoKardinal is an artificial intelligence-driven platform built to track expenses for African businesses. It brings the entire business travel lifecycle (planning, budgeting, booking, financing and expense tracking) onto one platform, in real time.
“GoKardinal is not another travel platform. It is an infrastructure for business travel, powered by AI for expense management,” he said, adding that the idea is to help businesses move without delay from one location to another to do their best work, expand and make profit.
On the company’s performance, he said the platform serves over 51 businesses in Nigeria and across Africa, with estimated weekly profit of $10,000 and gross merchandise value of over $1 million, growing at 65 per cent annually. he added.
He noted that about 80 per cent of African businesses still run their business travel manually, without any form of expense tracking, in a market worth over $30 billion annually. “African business travel is not just travelling for the fun of it.
It is an ecosystem with the potential to generate over $70 billion when digitalised,” Ugwunwa said.
The President of Security Resources & Risk Management Academy, Lagos, Mr. Matthew Ibadin, has charged officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces and allied nations to practice emotional discipline, warning that unmanaged anger remains a greater threat to a Staff Officer than the enemy.
Ibadin, who is also a doctoral researcher at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and University of Abuja, stated this on Monday while delivering a lecture on “Emotional Discipline Under Pressure and Anger Management for Staff Officers” to participants of Senior Course 48 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna.
The lecture was attended by 436 officers comprising the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and officers from eight friendly nations.
Describing anger as “a temporary madness that leaves a permanent record,” Ibadin warned officers that “the line between a respected officer and an inmate is thinner than you can imagine.”
“Anger may enter the room, but must never take command,” he said.
The Lion Principle
Illustrating his point with the parable of the lions, Ibadin noted that while both male and female lions roar, the female roars only when necessary and lives 15-18 years compared to 10-12 years for the male.
“She lives longer not because she is weaker, but because she is more disciplined. Many of us have become male lions in uniform – fighting juniors, spouses, traffic, minor disagreements even when no real threat exists. That constant agitation slowly destroys what you have built,” he said.
He therefore charged officers to “be a female lion in strategy and a male lion only when tactically necessary.”
Five Battlefields Where Anger Destroys
Ibadin identified five battlefields where undisciplined anger destroys officers: Health, Home Front, Office and Command, Career and Prison, and Relationships.
On health, he described anger as a silent killer that triggers hypertension, stroke and cardiac arrest, noting that many officers survive the war front but do not survive peacetime.
“At Jaji, your rank commands respect, but at home your rank is irrelevant. If you win at the office and lose at home, you have lost. An officer whose home is under emotional fire cannot think clearly at the command post,” he cautioned.
He warned that signatures appended in anger to operational orders, procurement papers and personnel assessments could lead to Boards of Inquiry, career ruin and mission failure.
He added that 70 percent of inmates in correctional centres for murder never planned to kill, but acted in a moment of unmanaged anger.
Practical Tools
Ibadin introduced practical tools including the 90-Second Rule and the S.T.O.P Protocol – Stop, Take a Breath (4-4-4), Observe, and Proceed with Discipline – for decisions under pressure.
He adopted Aristotle’s five tests for disciplining anger: Right Person, Right Reason, Right Time, Right Degree, and Right Manner.
