Personality in Focus
Opinion: Celebrating Nigeria’s Media Guru, Oki Samson Olatunji: Promoted by Grace, Exhibiting Excellence!
By ‘Yomi Oyelami
When the grace of God comes upon human effort, there is no doubting the exploits that are generated. The effulgence and excellence of the exploits that the life of one of Nigeria’s youngest and brightest media generals, Oki Samson O. is generating is a proof to the abundance that the grace of God can bring out of man’s dedication to an upwardly mobile lifestyle. Results don’t lie, only fools will doubt proofs!
For Olatunji, his consistency to doing what one knows to do best; his intentionality to seeing through a planned course of action; his painstaking effort to ensuring that the best foot is put into every aspect; his eye for detail in fashion, outlook, and personal grooming; his adroit prowess to portraying the clientele the best way possible, his cerebral nature at holding meaningful and productive conversations; his commitment to the fact that hard work pays after all; and his knack for delayed gratification is simply few of the exemplary characters that have distinguished him among a generation of media personalities that are wont to play a fast one for quick gains. These same qualities he encourages and desires that the vast community of youths under his influence should embody. He goes all the way to practice what he preaches! This is the Samson Oki that I know, I have worked with, and I have come to celebrate over the years.
That Oki Samson born on the 20th April. He is the MD/CEO of McKinggs Media (a media/PR, events, communication, and branding Company) with interests in publications, advocacy, publicity, photography, event, and talent development; the Publisher of Trek Africa Newspaper, Nigeria’s towering news weekly that goes the extra mile for the news with a focus on two key thematic areas of business and governance both in-print and online and have pursued the vision ‘to become a reputable newspaper brand out of Africa’ since its inception in 2014; and also the National President, National Association of Online Security Publishers (NAOSNP) are probably well-known.
Permit me to show you more!
Oki is an award-winning celebrity publicist and brand strategist that has worked over a decade with several high net-worth individuals, hugely profitable business organizations, and impact-making not-for-profit organizations. He has also over the years established himself as a brand reputed for excellence and integrity in the media world. As a freelance journalist with New Telegraph Newspaper, he distinguished himself under ‘The Megacity’ weekly column which focuses on issues around West Africa’s industrial hub and Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, Lagos.
‘Mr. Sam’ as he is fondly called by his vast followership of youths is an authority in youth advocacy and youth development. The admirable orator has successfully mobilized the youths for countless community and national initiatives. He is very popular as a voice that resonates with the youths, owing to his numerous initiatives and programmes which keeps empowering several entrepreneurs and emerging young leaders. Two of the youth-centric initiatives are C. E. O. (Creative Entrepreneurial Opportunities) which spurs graduates into skill and enterprise development and the FOTA (Face of Trek Africa) a beauty pageant which brings the spotlight on the intellectual, enterprising and beautiful young African women.
It should be noted that he is the brain behind the annual Trek Africa National Discourse, Trek Africa Real Estate Summit and Expo, and Trek Africa Entrepreneurship Conference – all of which have become veritable platforms for charting innovation for enterprise development, industry growth, and nation building. With these platforms, he has succeeded in bringing eminent personalities and leaders across Africa including Liberia, Sierra leone, Uganda, Ghana, among others and has giving awards to deserving members of the public. In fact, eight team members were in Monrovia, Liberia for one week in 2018 at the august invitation of the Government of Liberia led by His Excellency, President George Manneh Weah where they met and discussed with the Vice President of the country and the Mayor of Monrovia.
The media guru is a diehard and unrepentant follower of Nigeria’s foremost politician and former two-term Governor of Lagos State and All Progressives Congress (APC) national leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He was a volunteer mobilizer for the Buhari-Osinbajo presidential campaign towards the 2015 elections. While he closely watched The Jagaban of Africa on the 2015 campaign trail as a media professional, the idea for the soon-to-be-published book ‘THE ICONIC BOLA AHMED TINUBU: AN INSPIRATION TO AFRICAN YOUTHS’ was birthed. Since then, as a co-author, he has pursued and pushed for the coming to the reality of the book with dexterity.
Born to a mixed Nigeria/Sierra Leone parentage in the early 80s, he derived his passion for African leadership, enterprise, and politics while studying as an accounting student at the Lagos State University (LASU), Lagos, Nigeria. He is married to Ayomiposi with a beautiful daughter.
Roll the carpet for the one of Nigeria’s youngest and brightest media general, Oki Samson Olatunji!
Welcome to a fresh phase!
Cheers to a new beginning. Happy Beautiful Birthday Sir!
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.
A Board Member of Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, has been honoured with membership status of the Centre for African Social and Economic Transformation (CASET), University of the West of England, United Kingdom.
The recognition is coming on the heels of Ogunsan’s indefatigable commitment and unrelenting advocacy and support for quality education across all levels.
Dr. Ogunsan’s unflinching interest in education glaringly shows in his active participation as Board Member of Center for Digital Humanities (CEDHUL) in Nigeria’s frontline university, University of Lagos; as Chairman of AKEM Foundation, a nonprofit which has provided millions of naira within two (2) years to support schools and NGOs who provide education access for free to children in underserved communities in Nigeria; and in several individual sponsorships to ensure that the future is brighter for children. His personal story of prominence polished out of adversity continues to propel him forward.
This commitment is well-captured in the letter of Jo Midgley, the Deputy Vice Chancellor and the Registrar of the University of the West of England, UK who communicated the news of the appointment to the advisory board.
The academic, Jo Midgley highlighted about Dr. Ogunsan, ‘Your extensive experience and contributions to Africa’s higher education sector through training university leaders and teaching personnel, as well as your Board Membership of the Centre for Digital Humanities at the University of Lagos, Nigeria will make you an invaluable member of our CASET’s Advisory Board.’
‘As a Board member, you will play a crucial role in shaping CASET’s strategic direction, providing high-level support and guidance on stakeholder engagement strategies and knowledge dissemination efforts, helping to foster impactful collaborations and partnerships, and ensuring that the Centre’s initiatives align with the evolving needs of Africa’s social and economic landscape’, the letter stated about the expectations for the technocrat Ogunsan.
The higher institution, University of the West of England, United Kingdom also added the reason for appointing Dr. Ayo Ogunsan as Member of the Advisory Board of our Centre for African Social and Economic Transformation (CASET). They noted that they are guided by the University’s ethos of enterprise and collaboration, thus ‘the Centre is dedicated to empowering individuals and communities in Africa through strategic partnerships and transformative education and training programmes, research, evidence-based policymaking, social and cultural engagement geared towards finding practical solutions to regional social and economic challenges.’
‘We will be honoured to have you as part of our highly respected and esteemed group of experts and thought leaders.’
Midgley added that the Advisory Board convenes annually, with meetings held virtually and occasionally in person at the University of the West of England UK or in Africa where feasible.
He noted that Ogunsan’s insights and participation would be instrumental in helping CASET to achieve its mission of fostering transformative social and economic change through capacity building, research priorities, evidence-based policy and innovation.
The Registral said that Advisory Board Members were not employees of the University including CASET adding that his term as a board member would commence in June 2025 and run for a renewable period of three years on a non-remuneration basis.
“Renewal of board membership is subject to members’ continuing support, integrity and commitment to always being a good ambassador in advancing CASET’s mission.
“We will be honoured to have you as part of our highly respected and esteemed group of experts and thought leaders.
“We also appreciate your willingness to contribute to our mission and look forward to your valuable contribution to advancing CASET’s vision for transformative change in Africa,” he said in the letter.
It was gathered that Ogunasn is a prominent figure in the education sector, his expertise spans entrepreneurs hip, security management, and education, and he is widely acknowledged for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Source: Trek Africa
Robert Francis Prevost, the first pope from the United States, has a history of missionary work in Peru but also a keen grasp of the inner workings of the Church.
The new Leo XIV, a Chicago native, was entrusted by his predecessor Francis, to head the powerful Dicastery for Bishops, charged with advising the pontiff on new bishop appointments.
The sign of confidence from Francis speaks to Prevost’s commitment as a missionary in Peru to the “peripheries” – overlooked areas far from Rome prioritised by Francis – and his reputation as a bridge-builder and moderate within the Curia.
The 69-year-old Archbishop-Bishop emeritus of Chiclayo, Peru, was made a cardinal by Francis in 2023 after being named Prefect of the Dicastery, one of the Vatican’s most important departments — and a post that introduced him to all key players in the Church.
Vatican watchers had given Prevost the highest chances among the group of US cardinals of being pope, given his pastoral bent, global view and ability to navigate the central bureaucracy.
Italian newspaper, La Repubblica, called him “the least American of the Americans” for his soft-spoken touch.
His strong grounding in canon law has also been seen as reassuring to more conservative cardinals seeking a greater focus on Theology.
Following Francis’s death, Prevost said there was “still so much to do” in the work of the Church.
“We can’t stop, we can’t turn back. We have to see how the Holy Spirit wants the Church to be today and tomorrow, because today’s world, in which the Church lives, is not the same as the world of ten or 20 years ago,” he told Vatican News last month.
“The message is always the same: proclaim Jesus Christ, proclaim the Gospel, but the way to reach today’s people, young people, the poor, politicians, is different,” he said.
Born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, Prevost attended a Minor Seminary of the Order of St Augustine in St Louis as a novice before graduating from Philadelphia’s Villanova University, an Augustinian institution, with a degree in Mathematics.
After receiving a masters degree in divinity from Chicago’s Catholic Theological Union in 1982, and a doctorate decree in canon law in Rome, the polyglot joined the Augustinians in Peru in 1985 for the first of his decade-long missions in that country.
Returning to Chicago in 1999, he was made provincial prior of the Augustinians in the US Midwest and later the prior general of the order throughout the world.
But he returned to Peru in 2014 when Francis appointed him as apostolic administrator of the Diocese of Chiclayo in the country’s north.
Nearly a decade later, Prevost’s appointment in 2023 as head of the Dicastery came after Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet was accused of sexually assaulting a woman and resigned for age reasons.
The Vatican later dropped the case against Ouellet for insufficient evidence.
Prevost also serves as president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America.
