Ooni, Ogunsan, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Balogun, Ogunlende, Tinubu-Ojo, and Others Applaud the Authors of “THE ICONIC,” A Book Launched on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Call for an E-Copy of the Book
By People’s Voice Nigeria | News
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 officially launched on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, 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 a 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 proof.
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, but what about you? Hard work 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); and 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 send 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 the 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, co-chaired by the Executive Secretary/CEO of the 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 optimism 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 calls “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, after more than 20 years, I have to give kudos to this man.
On his part, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, remarked, “Most of the youths may have views about the personality of 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 and sometimes heated arguments. He is someone who protects the truth, has a large heart, and despite our issues then, we passed a lot of iconic legislation that has 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 (rtd), 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 learned 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 with the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Special Adviser to the 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 this excellent work you have done.” For Nigeria to be better, everyone has a role to play. Therefore, change and take responsibility for 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 and the tenacity with which they needed to be included in government. He is a man who believes in the youth and ensured that a lot of them were employed in the Civil Service in 2004. You can see the LASTMA, Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI), and Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch. These were people I met to be street urchins, but I employed them en masse and can see what they have 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 news, I stood close to him. “I also realized that throughout the campaign he didn’t really sit down.” He looked very engaged. At one point, two chilled cans of Coke were brought to him. He held it momentarily, opened one of the bottles, 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 has lots of influences, yet he is so 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 youth.” Tinubu is an enigma, a person the youths can look to for drive and inspiration. He is a man every youth should emulate. He carries everybody along—people of different cultures and ethnic backgrounds – provided the person is talented. “He is astatue and not biased,” said the award-winning 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 forces. “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; his life style, personality, and the dexterity he has displayed in life.
The fellow of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) and nonprofit leader added: “Every time I was writing this book, I remembered the story of the June 12 presidential election annulment.” This was a time when the media was gagged, but the name Bola Ahmed Tinubu kept recurring. That was my first impression of him.
“With others, he started Radio Kudirat – in honour of the late Kudirat Abiola.” I saw him as a man to be studied and someone people could learn from because, in a true democracy, a free press is a key component, and that is why I like to say that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a person both the youth and the media can learn from. Tinubu is, indeed, a leader. “Let us learn from him,” Oyelami reiterated.
