"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is
a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." ― Albert Einstein
I woke up today to the miracle of breasting the golden tape.
It has been a dramatic race shaped by God, people and events. I have crossed
many paths and in the process, crossed the path of so many people who have
greatly helped my race. The journey has taken me from primary school to the
university and through the ranks of journalism/communication profession. Apart
from the huge gratitude to God Almighty, I also want to use the day to
acknowledge/appreciate those people our paths have crossed in the race of the
last fifty years.
Right from my first day at United Anglican Primary School,
Ekan Meje, Oke Ero Local Government of Kwara State in 1973, I can still
remember Amos Oludare, Segun Olajide, Ezekiel Olayemi, Thomas Adekeye, Victor
Alao and the rest. At Fatima College, also at Ekan Meje, some of them include
Jide Ogunsola, Patrick Dawodu, Anthony Bamigboye, Femi Abidoye, Oye Raphael,
Tony Ashaolu, Tobi Osinowo, Kayode Ajibola, Michael Olajire Ipe, Simeon Abiodun
Kolawole, etc .
After I moved to Igbobi College Lagos, for my HSC, I met
Chris Kehinde Nwandu, CKN, Kayode Jackson, Seun Anifowose, Fashola (can’t
remember the first name) Segun Osinaike and the rest.
At the University of Lagos, the long list include Ademola
Olajire, Abiodun Enayon, Kingsley Johnson, Grace Awodu, Tola Fashoro, Bola
Olawuyi, Ose Osamendan, Salami Shuiabu, Femi Akorede, Biodun Bayo, Simon
Kolawole, Waziri Adio, Gbenga Olawepo, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Ola Abiola,
Segun Mayegun, Kenneth Nwachukwu, Emman Onyeche, Silas Abayomi, Kunle
Akinjogbin, Femi Owoeye, Doyin Adewunmi, Temitope Jinadu , Agboola Alphonso,
Bolaji Abdulahi and numerous others.
My taste of journalism at Business Today Newspaper brought
me in contact with Ted Iwere, Edem Vindah, Doifie Ola etc, before I moved
to The News Magazine at inception in 1993. The Journey at The News at Osolo
way, Oshodi brought my path across that of Dapo Olorunyomi, Bayo Onanuga, Seye
Kehinde, Idowu Obasa, Ayo Arowolo, Muyiwa Adekeye, Jenkins Alumona, Akin
Adesokan, Ebenezer Obadare, Semiu Salami, Peju Sanni, Biodun Fagunjade, Simon
Kolawole, Demola Olajire and other members of that great team.
At Financial Standand, Ayo Arowolo came my way again, just
like Simon Kolawole, Yemi Ajayi, Uche Chris and Haniel Ukpakure. When I moved
with Simon Kolawole to The Week Magazine in 2001, my path crossed that of
Clement Okitikpi, Laurence Ani, Dayo Thomas, Gregory Nwaknuor, Anayo Okorie,
Alex Ogundadegbe, Ismaila Adebowale, Femi Kolawole, Deji Ademigbuji. Others
include Adeola Yusuf, Anietie Ekong, Kunle Olafioye, Olawale Abideen,
Jude Atupulazi, Aliyu Askira, Nneka Okoli, Tola Odusote, Nta Daniel, Faith
Akagha etc.
The journey to The Source brought my way across that of Dame
Comfort Obi, Igho Akeregha, Yakubu Yusuf, Bayo Bernard, Osas Ogbonwan, Stephen
Ubana, Marcel Okoro, etc.
The Communication profession has also brought me in contact
with Adetokunbo Modupe, Charles Igbinidu, Joe Okonmah, Oladele Olakunle, Onos Akusu,
Kufre Ekanem, Patrick Olowokere, Emeka Aniukwu, Ifedayo Adegbenro, Ify Odita,
Abiodun Ayodeji, Tosin Tiodunmo. My media partners in the Print, Broadcast and
Online media are just too numerous to mention here
The membership of my professional groups has brought me in
contact with Olufunke Fadugba, Funke Egbemode, Baba Dantiye, Wahab Oba, Deji
Elumoye, Slyva Okereke, Femi Adesina, Angela Agoawike, Garba Shehu and others.
Above all, the journey has been very dramatic: my enrollment
in primary school; my admission to college; my admission to Unilag; my union
activism in the school; the attempt by Unilag to stop my Master’s degree
admission; my marriage and the coming of the twins – all dramatic stories still
waiting to be told.
Today is a day of gratitude – to God and to man. This is my
story; this is my song.
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