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.
What happens when legacy meets preparedness? What results from such a combination? Let us not be in a hurry to put forward any answers yet. Instead, let us consider first the opposite situation: When legacy meets unpreparedness.
The world abounds in examples of this distressing situation. A dynasty that has built wealth from generation to generation, with its illustrious heirs providing generational leadership, finds itself in a strange phase where an ill-prepared heir takes over the reins and in that same generation, not the next, wipes out the entire family fortune built over several generations.
We see the same thing with nations. History is replete with examples of great nations built by great leaders, which slid into oblivion when they were hit by arguably the greatest misfortune that ever befalls humanity – bad leadership. It is the reason American author and leadership expert John Maxwell asserts, “Everything rises and falls with leadership.”
As with nations, so with organisations. We see organisations that have thrived for decades and over several generations, get a new leader who is not prepared for such leadership, and the leader pushes the organisation to the brink of collapse.
Contrast this picture with the situation at Nigeria’s most enduring corporate organisation with the most amazing legacies of firsts, First Bank of Nigeria Limited, which witnessed a leadership transition about a year ago. Faced with a number of quality options in and outside the then management team, the decision-makers at the bank and its parent company FBNHoldings, now First HoldCo Plc, had to be clear-minded about who could become the new Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group.
Equally important as the need for continuity was the non-negotiable requirement for capacity to manage the ship of the 130-years-plus institution to sustain its enviable legacies and consolidate the gains made in recent years. The search was for someone with a steady head and hands (talk of risk control and mitigation), in addition to an excellent track record of sterling performance and achievements.
Fortunately, fate was on their side. They did not have to look outside. Right there before them was someone who understood all kinds of risks and how to control and mitigate them. He had been with FirstBank since 2016 when he joined as Group Executive / Chief Risk Officer. Then in January 2022 he was elevated to Executive Director / Chief Risk Officer and Executive Compliance Officer.
This man has given nearly three decades of his working life to the banking and financial services industry. He has under his belt a rich tapestry of cross-functional experience in credit risk management, financial planning and control, credit and marketing, and trade. His cross-functional exposure also includes corporate and commercial banking, agriculture financing, oil and gas, transportation, including aviation and shipping, and project financing
Meet Olusegun Alebiosu, the man history had prepared and the one decision-makers chose among the quality options. He was appointed substantive Chief Executive Officer of FirstBank Group in June 2024, having acted in that capacity since April 2024 when the former CEO left.
Determined to build on the bank’s legacies while navigating the ever-changing landscape of the financial services industry, Alebiosu has shown unwavering commitment to lead the bank through a transformative period that places emphasis on strategic consolidation, technological advancement and market expansion.
Alebiosu’s approach to sustaining the legacies of firsts at FirstBank, which has been at the vanguard of accelerating Nigeria’s digital payments as the first bank to issue over 13 million cards to customers, draws from his vast professional experience which began with Oceanic Bank Plc, now Ecobank Plc, in 1991. Between then and joining FirstBank in 2016, he had worked at Coronation Merchant Bank as Chief Risk Officer, at African Development Bank Group as Chief Credit Risk Officer and at United Bank for Africa as Group Head, Credit Policy and Deputy Chief Credit Risk Officer.
Under one year of his appointment as substantive CEO of FirstBank, Alebiosu’s strategic consolidation efforts have demonstrated that he is a worthy successor, not an ill-prepared or unprepared one, proving the decision-makers right. Understanding the critical role of its human capital in sustaining the bank’s legacies, Alebiosu has invested himself and the bank’s resources in promoting staff welfare.
A comprehensive review of the bank’s compensation structure was undertaken to position it within the 75th percentile of the industry, making the bank more retentive of, and attractive to, the best talents. The highest number of staff promotions across various grades in the last five years has happened under Alebiosu’s watch, with 1,654 employees being elevated in one single promotion cycle.
Under his leadership, over 2,186 new hires have been recruited across key functions and subsidiaries, with a large number of them deployed to the sales function to ensure that retail customers are adequately served. Staff are now more engaged based on the high employee engagement score of 86% achieved in the April 2025 WorkBuzz survey, indicating remarkable progress in the bank’s multi-pronged efforts to promote a positive and inclusive workplace culture.
This drive to reinforce a culture of inclusion and recognition has been accentuated by the launch of a group-wide culture transformation initiative with the goal of embedding the core values of integrity, excellence and innovation. It has also been strengthened by a renewed focus on inclusion, collaboration and high performance. Also contributing was the staging of a FirstBank Employee Appreciation Day 2025 featuring, among others, a personalised appreciation video message from the CEO to all employees across the group throughout Africa and beyond. The inclusion message is further boosted by the launch of the inaugural edition of the bank’s pioneering initiative, Mandarin Language School, to bolster the bank’s expansion in the Asian market.
Expansion is a critical plank in FirstBank’s new strategic planning horizon, under Alebiosu’s leadership. Taking off this 2025, the plan seeks to reinforce the bank’s market dominance across all operational regions and it includes deliberate expansion into new markets within and outside Africa.
Beyond geographical and horizontal expansion, Alebiosu’s plan has also targeted a skyward expansion. Or how else does one describe the groundbreaking ceremony in March 2025 for the bank’s new green-certified, 44-storey iconic head office building in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos State?
Alebiosu is also prioritising the acceleration of process automation in recognition of the importance of digital transformation. It is a massive push for technological advancement that includes adopting robotics technology and artificial intelligence at scale, to give the bank an unassailable competitive advantage among its peers in the industry.
The bank has deployed digital tools to enhance seamless account opening and optimised backend systems and customer service delivery. Two additional Digital Experience Centres (DXCs) have been launched – one at Lekki Admiralty Way, Lagos State and the other at its UNN branch, Nsukka, Enugu State. Also, the bank’s agent network has expanded to over 280,000, a 50,000 increase from the 230,000 agents it had in 2023.
As expected, shareholders, among other stakeholders, have been observing the strides the bank has been making under Alebiosu’s leadership, with a keen eye on the numbers. Fortunately, again, the bank’s results for the financial year ended December 2024 speak volumes, with after-tax profit of its parent company rising to the highest point it has reached in the last 12 years, according to the company’s latest financial statement.
In recognition of his achievements within such a short period and his exemplary leadership, Alebiosu was honoured at the World Business Outlook Awards as “Banking CEO of the Year – Nigeria 2025”. He has also been honoured with the “Special African Banking Leadership Award” by African Leadership Magazine. This was in 2024.
The story of Alebiosu’s leadership at FirstBank has clearly been one of preparedness meeting legacy. Working with the board and management team, he has consistently sustained the bank’s legacies and also consolidated its recent gains in ways that will ensure the gains keep compounding. FirstBank, more than ever before, is poised for greater intra- and intercontinental growth and impact in the years ahead.
This piece is contributed by Aniekan Ezekiel
In celebration of his sportsmanship, leadership, and vision, Aare Adetola Emmanuelking, the esteemed Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Adron Homes and Properties, has been honored with Nigeria’s inaugural Noble Golfer Award.
This prestigious accolade was conferred upon him by the renowned Elite 18 Global Golfers during a high-profile event that brought together key figures from the sports, real estate, and business sectors.
The Noble Golfer Award recognizes individuals who have shown steadfast dedication to advancing the game of golf and promoting sports culture in their communities. Aare Emmanuelking’s nomination exemplifies his exceptional commitment to enriching the golfing landscape in Nigeria, alongside his broader initiatives aimed at fostering sports development across the nation.
Aare Emmanuelking is not merely a business leader; he is a pioneer in integrating golf into modern lifestyle experiences. Currently, he is leading the ambitious development of a state-of-the-art golf course in Nigeria a monumental project that aspires to redefine leisure, tourism, and sporting excellence within the country. This golf course aims to provide a premier playing experience while also serving as a social hub for golfing enthusiasts and the community at large.
In a bid to make golf more inclusive and accessible, Aare Emmanuelking has also initiated the construction of advanced golf driving ranges in all Adron Homes Estates across Nigeria. This visionary project is designed to encourage participation in the sport among Nigerians of all ages and backgrounds, fostering wellness, recreation, and community engagement as integral parts of Adron’s residential developments.
At the award presentation, Aare Emmanuelking conveyed his heartfelt gratitude for the recognition, emphasizing his belief in the transformative power of sports as a vehicle for national development and youth empowerment. He remarked, “Golf is not just a game; it exemplifies discipline, a distinct lifestyle, and a pursuit of excellence. Through Adron Homes, we are not merely constructing houses—we are nurturing communities built on the foundations of wellness, unity, and opportunity.”
The Elite 18 Global Golfers commended Aare Emmanuelking’s innovative approach, highlighting how he effectively merges real estate advancements with world-class sports infrastructure. They acknowledged that his efforts have the potential to inspire a new generation of golfers and to position Nigeria as a premier destination for international golfing events.
As Aare Adetola Emmanuelking continues to break new ground in both the real estate and sports development arenas, receiving this award serves as a testament to his lasting influence—not only in the realms of business but also in cultivating a legacy of excellence, one fairway at a time. His contributions are poised to create lasting change, inspiring future generations and fostering a vibrant culture of sport and community in Nigeria.
The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim, has commiserated with the family of late Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (retd) on the death of the former military administrator.
In a condolence statement signed by the Minister himself, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), Senator Gaidam lauded the fallen soldier, saying that his contributions to nation building will not be forgotten.
Olubolade died in the early hours of Monday, May 12, 2025.
Below is the detailed message:
LETTER OF CONDOLENCE TO THE FAMILY OF THE LATE NAVY CAPTAIN CALEB OLUBOLADE (RTD)
I, the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidami, offer condolences to the people and government of Nigeria, especially the Olubolade family, on the death of former Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (Rtd), who died today.
The Ministry and Police community share this moment of grief and sorrow with the family, the people of the state, and the entire country. When offering condolences to a statesman, it is important to acknowledge the significance of his contributions and the impact of his passing on the nation.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of a true leader and dedicated servant to our nation. His legacy will live on through his tireless efforts and commitment to the people. This is a profound loss for our country. Captain Olubolade’s dedication to public service and his unwavering commitment to the security sector will be remembered.
Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the passing of a statesman who served with honor and integrity. May his spirit of leadership inspire generations to come.
In this time of grief, we offer our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Olukayode. His contributions to our nation will not be forgotten.
