Professor Adesoji: No stopping at 60

60th Birthday Special Edition Magazine for Prof. Adesoji Adesugba

MAY 2019

VOLUME 2

SCOOBY A rough gem turned Sapphire!

MAYEGUN OF THE WORLD:

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba

A Letter To My Dad

Mentor Someone & Build a Nation

Soji Adesugba

MAN MOMENT

OF THE

FAMILY | FRIENDSHIP | MENTORSHIP WB Page 1

• Workshops, Business Consulting Services.

• Access to Government intervention funds, grants and loans.

• Advocacy on behalf of business.

• Participation in B2B meetings.

• Business Development and Networking.

• Gain credibility and positive reputation in the international business community.

• Access to advisory services and critical trade information and data.

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May 2019

CONTENTS

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Friends and Associates Mentees p15

An ODE of the Expose on Skoooob, A Living man @ 60

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My Boss, My Freind and His Birthday

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Scooby An Officer to Remember

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Mayegun of the World Prof. Adesoji Adesugba

p24

Frienship since Form One: A friend indee and a brother!

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That chance meeting changed my life

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A life event called Scooby

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A man in the coat of many colours

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Life is incomplete without others.

Happy Birthday Sir

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Live to Learn: Legacy of a relentless leader

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p37

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p21

Family

Special Features

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p10

Scooby A rough gem turned Sapphire!

p26

From One to Sixty

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Man of the Moment

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Our Parents’ days of prayers and infusing the word of God in us worked!

Happy birthday brother!

My Brother Adesoji, Olukolade

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A Letter to my Dad on his 60th birthday

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Professor Adesugba “Bring out the BEST in Others”

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Welcome

Prof, a touch of gold, mixed with diamonds and 60 other gemstones

It is indeed a deep privilege for me to edit this magazine which the friends of Professor (Dr.) Adesoji Adesugba decided to put together to commemorate his 60th birthday. Prof. Adesoji Adesugba is a sort of an enigma, I am certain if we spend the whole year, we will not finish writing about his exploits and achievements in his most eventful and accomplished life. Almost everyone that knows Prof. will agree that he is extremely intelligent, innovative, proactive, brave, adventurous, very kind, loving, free in giving, and patriotic. Editing this magazine of what some of Prof’s friends and family think of him gave me a different insight in one I thought I had known as a father, mentor, and boss, he is too deep and one of a different breed, and if I could say, an angel to many.

Different people call Prof. Adesugba by different names, for some, he is simply Soji, for his old schoolmates and associates from the University of Lagos, he is popularly called Scooby, while his high school mates will call him Subby from his surname Adesugba. His present colleagues and associates prefer to call him Prof. Who really is Soji? But for space, I will only be able to give a brief profile of who Professor Dr. Adesoji Adesugba is, and what he has done in his 60 years of existence.

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba is a Visiting Professor of Business Administration at the American International University Banjul Gambia. An accomplished specialist in Investment Promotion and Economic Development, he is known for his proficiency in organizational development and institutional reforms. He has combined the best in private sector entrepreneurial acumen with an expert ability to navigate public sector practice. Adesugba is currently the Provost at the Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology (BEST) Centre, and a Vice President at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI). He also lectures part-time as a Professor of Business Administration at the Roegate College in Dublin, Ireland and the Baden International Business School, Baden, Switzerland. Adesugba is the Chairman of the National Association of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Mines, and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Education and Innovation Committee.

A certified international arbitrator and mediator, Dr. Adesugba worked as the Chairman of the Industrial Arbitration Panel (IAP), a Federal Government of Nigeria agency set up for the resolution of industrial disputes.

Before working at the IAP, Dr. Adesugba served as a Director at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), where he was responsible for the development of strategies to promote and target investments into the Nigerian economy.

Between 2005 to 2007, Adesugba was seconded from the NIPC to the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) as the Head of Marketing, Communications, and External Relations, to help reinvigorate the privatization exercise of the Federal Government of Nigeria. At the BPE, he served as a member of the National Council on Privatization, subcommittee on marketing, media, and publicity. Perhaps for those who are just knowing Prof, it will surprise them that he started his career in the public service as a Superintendent Collector Grade II, at the WB Page 6

Nigerian Customs Service in August 1982 and rose to the rank of Chief Superintendent before leaving the service in 1999.

I dare to say that Prof’s academic achievement is awesome. He obtained his doctorate in Business Administration with the highest distinction from the California Southern University in the USA. He has a B.Sc. degree in Business Administration from the University of Lagos, an M.Sc. degree in Investment Promotion and Economic Development from the Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland, UK, and his MBA from the Ogun State University in Nigeria. Adesugba studied law and obtained his LL.B. from the University of Lagos. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1989. Dr. Adesugba has a certificate in Chinese Economic Development from the Normal University, Beijing China. Adesugba has a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK) and a certificate from the Columbia Law School in New York. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (UK), a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators, a Fellow of the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Chartered Taxation Institute of Nigeria. In recognition of his high scholastic achievement, Professor Adesugba was admitted into two honours Society in the United States of America, Delta Mu Delta and the Sigma Beta Delta.

I enjoin you all to enjoy this treatise of what different people think of who Prof. Dr. Adesoji Adesugba is and is not. Happy birthday Prof., our jewel of 60 different gemstones!

Tinuke Temitope Head of Programs ACCI Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre Abuja 7th of May 2019

CREDITS Editor-in-chief TINUKE TEMITOPE Editor GODWIN OMODIALE Art Director/Layout AHMAD ABDULFATTAH EKONG EKEMINI Graphic Design OMODIALE GODWIN ABIMBOLA DEJI AHMAD ABDULFATTAH EKONG EKEMINI KELVIN OBORARUVWE

All materials is copyright and all rights are reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the copyright holder.

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NIGERIAN INVESTMENT PROMOTION COMMISSION

Address Plot 1181 Aguiyi Ironsi St, Wuse, Abuja E-mail infodesk@nipc.gov.ng Phone +234 (0)9 2900059 +234 (0)9 2900061

Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission was established by Nigerian Investment Promotion Act Chapter N117 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 to encourage, promote and co-ordinate investments in the Nigerian economy.

Vision ‘To be the pre-eminent Investment Promotion Agency in the emerging markets’ Mission ‘To proactively position and promote Nigeria as the preferred investment haven’

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba

Director Investment Promotion(Rtd.) WB Page 8

1999 -2009

Messages Goodwill

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Scooby,

A rough gem turned Sapphire!

An interview with Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, CON, a bosom friend of Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, and the President of Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Prince Kayode was four times a cabinet Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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When did you meet him, how long have you known him?

We met in the University of Lagos, socially of course because we were never in the same faculty but socially he was popular on campus in his own way, he was involved in a lot of things, I think he had this club called FOADS, and I think he was also active in other clubs which are not that social and we just gravitated together, we always hang around a place called the black market.

Sometimes we also met at parties in Surulere and he knew a many Grammarians that is students of CMS grammar school; actually, his younger brother was my junior in school, but I never knew until much later. So, we were moving within the same social circle at that time.

So, after school how has your path stuck together?

After school everybody went his way and he joined the Nigeria Customs Service immediately and then went back to the University of Lagos to read law; I think he was not too happy with his first degree which was business administration, he was not too happy with his grade because he knew he was not that serious on campus, you know he was one of those motor bike guys, and I think he was a member of the Pyrates Confraternity, so he was lucky to escape by the skin of his teeth, so he thought he needed to do more than that, so he went back to read law but I had moved to Abuja by that time, and moved on with my life. One day, I went to Calabar for an election petition in 1992 or something like that then I ran into him at the airport, he was wearing his usual dirty ripped jeans and t-shirt and he said that he was with the Customs that he was in charge of the riverine area, I wished him well and we moved on.

All these while, we never knew we

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba with his bison friend, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, the President of ACCI

were from same local government in Ondo state, we never knew we were maybe distant cousins because in my local government especially in my village, virtually everybody there is related to somebody and secondly his mother is from Ogori and a lot of people from there are also married to Akunnu my mother’s village. Then I think he now left customs and came to Abuja and joined the NIPC and so we started linking up.

But what really brought us together was when I foolishly decide to go into politics, I discussed this with him, and I think he was in politics before me because he had done some work with Adefarati in Alliance for Democracy in 1999.

So when I went into politics in

2003, it was easy for him to give me a lot of ideas and back me to act like my pillar, I was absolutely out of my depths, I just went in like I do in many things, having absolute confidence in myself but it doesn’t work that way; so he was able to support me to do a lot of things.

Some character traits must have kept you together; what are some of these character traits that you noticed in him, things about him that you probably admire of him?

It is difficult sometimes to talk about character traits, it is a form of titration, you have to mix this chemical that is going to react with this chemical that will give something. I think it was because

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my attitude to live and his blended together and he could give honest advice and he is not afraid of stating his own opinion which is also what I try to do. But more importantly we were able to work more closely together in so many things both at family and personal level and business level because we find reasons to trust each other and there is nothing to hide.

A lot of people especially friends when it comes to money, it breaks friendship because people do not understand that you should be open when it comes to money; they could do other things, they could party together but when it comes to money it becomes a problem but that has never been a problem with us. So he is strong in his own way and he is also like all of us very weak in his own way; he gets carried away very easily and you have to cool him down and that is where we complement each other because I don’t get easily carried away but when I start something he has to put his rope around my waist and drag me because I would have caused a lot of trouble and you start regretting.

They used to call him Scooby?

Everybody called him Scooby it was a childhood nickname, it is actually Adesugba but this was before the era of Scooby Doo. So, everybody from the Vice President of Nigeria Yemi Osinbajo who was also his childhood friend, all his peers and colleagues they all call him Scooby but now I call him Prof because he has moved on in life, he has achieved a lot.

Academically he has done more than most people I know even for a typical Ondo state man; he has maybe three masters and two first degrees, he has a PhD and I think he is even doing another PhD now.

As he clocks 60years what would you tell him?

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Well there is no new trick you can The way I see things is that he is teach an old “criminal”. We are now on a trajectory, right now lucky to be in fairhe is into skills development, we ly good health have been fortunate, God has “Best friends because as given him the grace to put we grow together the Business Enare rare, and real older we friends are not just friends trepreneurship Skills and face chalTechnology (BEST) Cenbut family, Tokunbo is not lenges, he tre. We found out that just a friend but my family, has been we can actually do a lot God bless him” able to pull for our society in terms through his of skills development in ~Prof. Adesoji own chala way that is sustainable, Adesugba­~ lenges and he and he is putting that into has also began to practice. So, we can enjoy what gradually reorganise we are doing, work with young his life, in terms of good health people and those who are not so practices, and I am sure he will young, give them skills and help stick to just wine and no smoking them get employed like he did in his younger days.

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba with Prince Adetokunbo Kayode, SAN, CON, at a goldmine in Thailand, 2016

Painting by Abiodun Olaku, 1987 WB Page 13

Friends & Associates “My mother used to tell me, the reflection in the mirror of the friend’s you keep, is a reflection of yourself, so keep good people who have positive values as friends, and it will rub off on you. I have always reminded my children on the need to keep good friends. I am lucky, I have awesome people as friends, and I have enjoyed the values we shared all my life. God bless my friends”. ~ Prof. Adesoji Adesugba ~

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AN ODE OF THE EXPOSE ON SKOOOOB, A LIVING MAN @ 60

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or fear of sounding cockily presumptuous, I dare state here and now that no human, here or in the hereafter, including the celebrant himself, can vividly offer a complete dossier, whether in subject, scope or aim about the 60 eventful years of an enigma named ADESOJI “SKOOOOB” (EF) ADESUGBA on Mother Earth.

Not for any reason than having traversed this clime at differing times, events and places with differing personalities with him as Lead Actor on each occasion.

So for a better assimilation at the end of proceedings today, we would have gathered here to share our individual and collective experiences and joined in celebrating a complete man who is coincidentally sharing in material particular, a semblance and utmost respect with the SYNOPTIC GOSPEL of the Biblical Acts of the Apostles where each friend, like the Apostles of Christ, can only capture a brief events during his/ her stay with ‘Soji! A latter-day compendium of these accounts would only attempt an insight about him.

For starters, tap your neighbour and simply whisper “……..Hello!

How did you meet Skooby?”

Then on completion of your experiences, would have had an inkling of your stay here.

How Fervently I Wish I Was Physically Here To Present A Graphic Power Point Documentary I Had Earlier Prepared For Today’s Event.

Mindful about the amount of page space allocated for each contributor, I pledge to do a summarised account as follows

I met ‘Soji physically in 1996 (although his story had been making the rounds since 1982 during our rascally days in the College) at a common friend’s – Joe Rerri – place in Festac town, Lagos and immediately got awe-stricken in realisation when the name Skooby was dropped. Suffice to add that all pieces immediately fell into places henceforth and accounted for an action-packed association in many paths uncharted, unexploited nor ever imagined.

Till date, even when my direct physical account concluded in 2002 when he moved on with life adventures to Abuja, I still relish those days till date.

I find Skooby as one who has transcended beyond physical imaginations in the following life aspects: A being who reasons and acts well ahead of his elders, peers and followers in decision making and choice.

An unassuming born leader and team player gifted with the act of disarming any proposal or venture not built on harmonious resolution while operating below the radar Free spirited individual that easily blends and flows along with his immediate environment irrespective of tribe, tongue or faith.

Benevolent to a ridiculous fault to readily spend his capital just to ensure people around him are fulfilled and happy. This often solicited in fighting to seek his face and favour Adventurous and daring in unimaginable heights and

extents of intuitively boarding a British Airways flight after work on a Friday and be back early enough on Monday morning on his office desk just to prove his point. He would in similar vein invite his fellow weird colleagues to a hunting expedition in an Evil forest of Ogbagi Akoko in Ondo state with a bet on who made a first game catch. The story of making dangerous bankings along heavily congested, undulated and potholed paths from Lagos to Abuja on a Power bike and back same day still accounts for whom he is Dealt heavily on the bottles and smoke that two years after announcing his resolve to quit still elicited doubts from both friends and foes.

Other unprintable and inexplicable dangerous adventures of Skooby still remain unearthed until his autobiographic exposures them.

That Skooby currently bears and carries on with an appellation and appendage of a PROF is a mystery and voodoo act I had already engaged the services of Special Intel community to unravel. It meant he woke up one day and decided he needed to add more proverbial feathers to the already filled cap he garnered in the University of Lagos. The swift crossover to the academia has equally added to the puzzle.

A restless fellow while in pursuit of a stated objective until completion An ardent lover of a medley of musical genres that he could accurately mime works of varying artistes ranging from Fela (his preferred) through Orlando Owo and multi-lingual others A Gentle Rascal who would return from a sojourn to the AFRICA SHRINE and other similar nocturWB Page 15

nal escapades, IF YOU CATCH MY DRIFT, and found seated at the front row of the church for service on Sunday morning.

Above all, his paramilitary training did not help with curtailing his risk-filled excesses No attempt could be justifiably made to conclude this six-year expose on skooby without a thunderous, standing ovasion, reverence and mention of the endless head and heart aches suffered by the immediate family matriarch, who endured a great deal of composure and dedication housekeeping the apology that was soji in those hey days.

Kindly join me in expressing a profound appreciation to mrs ayo adesugba, who despite every indiscretions and misdemeanours of soji kept faith in the face of adversities. The limits were some unceremonious invasion of the entire family privacy and calm that pervaded her home whenever we trooped in to devour whatever she had without displaying any misgivings. After welcoming the stubborn hussy and his co-travellers, would quietly withdraw into her room until the departure of a better avoided nuisance crowd.

Ma’am, you remain an inversely proportinal enigma to the indiscretions of a hubby that is skooby.

I can only ask the awesome one above for his continued mercy and plead with you never to expect any further improvement from the man tomorrow or next.

Very many happy returns and may you derio forever soji!

AZUBIKE (BP) ANIONWU The proverbial “MATTHEW” in the rollcall of Soji’s apostles.

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My Boss, my friend,

and his birthday

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oji, my friend, my boss!! You wanted to surround yourself with what you felt were great people. You were there for guidance, but you let us run with our strengths regardless of whether or not something was in our job description. Working with you made us felt more capable, smarter and part of a team.

Not everyone liked you – you were polarizing. But without exception, the higher performing people loved you for the opportunities and those just trying to do as little as possible would have burned you in effigy.

But you have this magic where you could just make us feel like we could do absolutely anything.

You instilled confidence like no one I’ve ever known. There is a lot of lip service every day to team players – but at the risk of sounding like a cliché, you really had a way of making us feel like we were part of a team. We knew what we did mattered. It mattered to the organizations and it mattered to you.

I don’t have any idea how you did it. When you said, ‘thank you, I couldn’t have done it without you,’ we just knew you meant it. There was never a question that you had our back. You engendered a loyalty that’s rare. I haven’t worked with you in years, but if you needed a kidney, I’d see if I was a match.

I really appreciate your helpful and motivating leadership. You are an excellent leader with a generous heart.

I’m so proud to tell you that it’s been always a great pleasure

working with you. You are such a great leader.

It is difficult to put in words, how much l am thankful for your insight, wisdom, professional attitude, mentorship and guidance. I pray for your success as an individual and hope that your personal and professional life deservingly rises to towering heights.

It was really a great pleasure working with a boss like you, who exactly knows and understand the top secret to be a good manager and as well as being a kind person. Though you were my boss but our relationship over the years turned out to be that of friends. You are a great friend indeed.

Personally, I would like to convey my deepest appreciation to your presence in my life and as my boss at work. I’ve really enjoyed the days working with you.

May health and wealth always be your friends, may good luck and fortune always be by your side, may success and goodwill always be at your beck and call.

May you always have as much strength and courage to lead and, more importantly, a truly happy life.

May you live to be 100 and may you never retire. We like you too much. We don’t want to lose you.

Today we are to celebrate a carefree, stress free and joyous day.

Your Birthday should be a national holiday, dear boss.

I have never met a person as kind, humble and down-to-earth as

Painting by Kolade Osinowo, 1988

you. You are the best role model whom we could look up to. Thank you for being a lovely boss.

Thanking you for being a great boss just isn’t enough for your special day. Thank you for inspiring us to be our best!

All the best to you on this day.

Happy birthday.

With Love from Zuberu Audu Muhammed (ZAM) Assistant Director (rtd.)

Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission Abuja I thank Jesus Christ for Soji. He was my best man when l got married to my paddy, Olufunke.

He was in my 10th year birthday picture. We will both be shortly 60 years young. Can you imagine? We have known one another for over 50 years, it’s been amazing. Am his “egbon”, my birthday is the 3rd of May and he is the 7th of May, same year, 1959. A toast indeed to a jolly good fellow.

Folabi Abayomi CEO, Capernaum Estates

I

Professor Adesoji “Scooby” Adesugba @ 60

have known Grand Pa Scooby for more than 4 decades, starting from our teenage stint at the University of Lagos and have stayed connected till today.

We have been close friends for three of the 4 decades and been through several light and sober moments together.

Furthermore, we have been Business partners and associates, members of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and have undertaken several other business activities together in the last decade. I can safely admit that outside his immediate family I am one of a few who is very close to him. However, to truly capture his essence will require a whole book which I am in no position to guarantee at the moment. It is therefore, a priviledge to be in a position to contribute

to felicitations on the occasion of his 60th birthday.

For brevity (the soul of wit), I will attempt to focus a few striking recollections, important events, his personality in that sojourn.

Scooby (his moniker) is first and foremost a family man. He loves his family deeply. He is one of a few examples of what’s possible in life if you dare set your mind to it.

One remarkable development happened while we were in school. At the University where our paths crossed, we were part of a group of fun loving, very playful friends. However, he fell into that category who paid dearly for that playfulness with an extra year in school and a 3rd class result at graduation. How we empathized with him then, without realising what the future held in store.

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Today, that experience is but a blip in his life journey, as the joke turned full circle. I dare suggest that it probably challenged his ego, his core which brought about a slew of impressive degrees, certifications and competencies that stacked up his professional profile like very few I know.

Today, he not only holds degrees, in Law, post graduate degrees in Business Administration and Investment Promotion, but add to that, a Doctorate of Business Administration along with professional certifications in several disciplines and you get a picture of the immense efforts and sacrifices he devoted to self-development.

Truly amazing and inspiring by any standard.

The real story however is about a classmate and friend who graduated with a revered second class Upper degree in Actuarial Sciences in the same year. He would readily remind Scooby of his playfulness but was quite astonished several years later after, when he ran into Scooby representing the country as a lead speaker on Investment Opportunities in Nigeria at one of the Global Investment Conferences outside the shores of the country. It was Scooby’s gotcha moment with this friend in the company of local and foreign participants at that event. If you know Scooby, he never passes an opportunity to rub it in. Rub it in he did (on a lighter mood).

Unlike many of his friends, he was determined to achieve the highest level of academic degree in his preferred discipline, a Doctor of Philosophy.

I remember vividly 5years back, on one sunny afternoon, as he embarked on that journey at our Asokoro office, he appealed for company. I declined by telling him that I surrendered such quests to my sweet daughters to carry on.

But when asked today, I confess a swell of admiration. Through his WB Page 18

activities, Scooby has inspired and mentored so many close and far.

Scooby is a man ahead of his time. He was always driven by ideas and ambition so early in life. He showed exemplary entrepreneurial streak early in his twenties and was involved in setting up one of the first on-line Magazines called SuperEagles. com in 1996 with Jossy Ogbuanoh and Maxim Uzoatu (who edited), among a string of other business interests . His first foray being Richard Munds Ltd, a Marketing Communication Company with Lanre Idowu, Seun Sonoiki and Jimi Bankole between 1987-1991.

Then, Afprohand Ltd , a Media outfit specializing in Television production of Corporate documentaries. Other interests included Stock trading, and an effort to invest in the Finance Sector. It is pertinent to note that all these he did even as he was serving as a Customs Officer.

He was way ahead of his peers on the IT curve, he is tech savvy and dexterous on the social media platforms. Today, he is MD, Investment Law and Taxation Consults; VP, Information Technology and Strategy, Abuja Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and also the Provost, Business

Entrepreneurship, Skills and Technology Centre, Abuja.

He is an open book (to a fault), mischievous but kind and large-hearted. He is readily forgiven even when friends have acted badly.

Scooby is the ideas man, the ambitious, the passionate, a man of many parts and a restless individual. Scooby is your itinerant Scholar, Administrator, Organizer.

Scooby is the Modest person who keeps giving even when in need himself.

He is Special and i celebrate our friendship. My family celebrate him especially today. We thank God for His faithfulness to him and pray that the Lord breathe into his hearts desires afresh and bring them to life. We pray for God’s strength and fresh wisdom for the new age. We pray for God’s healing hands over his health, long life and contentment.

Happy 60th Birthday Brother and Many happy returns Sheni Balogun Managing Director Toysheba Ltd. and Council Member Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba National Coordinator

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Prof. Adesoji Adesugba at One

The Nostradamus of my time, Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, Happy 60th Birthday

H

ow time flies. Mr. “Scooby“ is going to be 60 years.

Wow. When I received a message from my friend and brother, Professor Adesoji Adesugba, that I am amongst “close friends, associates, and those who have in one way or the other crossed my path during my life” I was blown apart and felt highly elated to be with these privileged few.

Professor Adesoji Adesugba, has many friends and he know’s how to keep in touch with them. A tireless, hardworking, intellectual and erudite personality. So, for him to have filtered his numerous friends and associates, of whom I am lucky to be amongst the top ten, I feel very proud and honored.

I was lucky as a young man to have met “Scooby” the nickname we called Professor Adesoji AdeWB Page 20

sugba, as students in the University of Lagos, far back in 1979. He was a year ahead of me, but this didn’t affect our friendship. The significance of our meeting in college, brought an exposition of the intellectual character, moral rectitude and individual drive and resilience to succeed, which has been the hallmark of the gargantuan success and achievements which Soji is noted for.

I can’t call Soji a continuous dreamer, but he is almost like Nostradamus (the man who saw tomorrow), always coming up with new ideas, always adventuring. He has a vast array of knowledge and uncharted waters yet to be revealed. It’s impossible to say all I would like to say about Professor Adesoji Adesugba, in this short tribute however, it will suffice to say that he is a great

man, with an admirable knack for success, relentless, a man of honor, an erudite scholar and a ground-breaker in many fields of life. And most importantly very reliable and trustworthy.

Professor Adesoji Adesugba, graduated with a degree in Business administration from the University of Lagos, joined the Customs and Excise department, where we continued with our friendship, though I was in the Shipping, Export and Import trade at the Tin Can Island Port.

His quest and hunger for more knowledge made him continue his studies while working, and he acquired an LLB (Hons) degree in Law. In the later part of the 1990’s Adesoji informed me he was quitting the Customs Service as he had other plans to move forward.

He left the Customs service to put his legal Knowledge into practice.

By 2009 when I visited Adesoji in Abuja, he had become the Chairman of the Industrial Arbitration Panel, an agency of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

His love for books and reading cannot be surpassed. He loves books, the arts, humanity, his family and friends. When Adesoji told me, he had acquired a Doctorate degree, it didn’t come to me as a surprise.

ful celebration. The boy ‘Scooby’ is now a man ‘Professor Adesoji Adesugba’ All glory to God. Your Friend and Brother, Amos Igho Ogba B.A. (HONS). LLB, LLM Dublin (Republic Of Ireland)

At 60 years of age, Professor Adesoji is now ripe enough to take the big stride into the limelight, as I know that the necessary grooming and tutelage in life has been well accomplished. I am an ardent follower of all Adesoji is doing, and his current works in the ACCI Best Centre, is an attestation and crystallization of his dreams and expectation in life. A strong believer in the sustenance and growth of our beloved nation Nigeria, I can only pray for the manifestation and protection he deserves from our great creator.

Adesoji Adesugba, is a detribalized Nigerian, a non-conformist, a friend, a comrade, a philanthropist, and a believer in the propagation of humanistic ideals. Professor Adesoji Adesugba in one of his post on Facebook said” It’s good to be good and feel alive.

Never forget that life is just for a short time and those who lived a century ago are no more. Live well, do good and feel good.”

Your life exemplifies the quote above. You have been an inspiration to me and many of your friends, in many ways and we can only continue to pray that this day of your 60th birthday will bring joy, happiness, fulfilment and the will to continue with your good deeds.

You are a good husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend and a member of the international community. May you have a wonder-

Soji, my friend from childhood, my friend for life, a happy 60th birthday!

Soji,

H

appy 60th. Congratulations for entering your sixties. I can truly say we are becoming old(er) friends. Was it just the other day we were kids growing up together across the road from each other on Modupe Johnson Crescent in Surulere?

Scooby S

An Officer to remember

ometime in 1982, a group of young men and women, fresh graduates were recruited into the Nigeria Customs Service as cadet officers. Some of these people were meeting themselves for the first time while some others had either been together at school, home or Youth Service. They wasted no time in bonding and becoming friends and colleagues knowing full well that they would spend better part of their youth and adult life together in the service of their fatherland. Professor Adesoji Adesugba (as he is now known) and I were in this group of young officers. So officially, I met Soji

Good to see that six long decades of life haven’t slowed you down even a bit. You are still as adventurous, enterprising, energetic, and full of life as ever. I am glad to have called you friend over the decades May you celebrate many more birthdays in great health and even greater spirits.

Chuks Anyanso, Business Analyst (USA)

way back then and I dare say it has been one great experience at work and play over these years.

He was popularly known and called ‘Scooby.’ Do not ask me why but if you do, I will refer you to him or any other person to tell you why. We became good friends with our eyes focused on what the future holds. You know Scooby easily makes friends and knows how to keep them.

After documentation, we were WB Page 21

celled in parades and drills (you know he is very smart and always sharp), Enforcement, Revenue aspects of Customs job.

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba at a Customs ceremonial parade , 1986

posted to various locations within Lagos for our pre-training attachment since the college was not ready to receive trainees. Training however commenced in 1983 at the Ikeja Training College where we spent the rest part of the year acquiring necessary skills and knowledge that would make us proper Customs Officers. Here, we all had the chance to unbundle ourselves and get closer as friends, colleagues and associates.

It has been a lifetime and wonderful experience you would not want to trade away.

Scooby is smart, bold, insightful, always willing to learn new things and never hiding knowledge nor unwilling to share information and acquired skills. He is very ambitious, restless in search of knowledge and opening of new vistas.

He also takes genuine interest in his friends and cares for them if the opportunity ever presents itself. Whatever he decides to do,

he gives his all almost to the point of perfection. He loves his job and loves his friends too. Need I say how generous Scooby is?

Professor Adesugba went on voluntary retirement from the Custom Service in 1999 after seventeen years of meritorious service to Nigeria. In those years, he rose to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Customs, worked at various formations including the following: • Murtala Muhammed International Airport Command, Lagos, • Murtala Muhammed Cargo Area Command, Ikeja - Lagos, • Oyo State Command, Ibadan, • Federal Operations Unit (FOU), Ikeja, Lagos, • Katsina Area Command as the FOU Officer in Charge, and • TinCan Island Port Command, Apapa - Lagos.

In all these places, he made his mark and presence felt. He ex-

Scooby’s restlessness and drive pushed him to enrol for Law at the University of Lagos which he did successfully while in active service. This no doubt laid the foundation for his eventual early retirement from the Customs Service to seek more fulfilling desires in the corporate world. On leaving Customs, he worked at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission where he became a Director before he finally left to serve his fatherland as the Chairman of the Industrial Arbitration Panel.

He genuinely cares for his friends and people generally. If asked, I am sure that most of his friends would have beautiful stories about how he impacted their lives positively. I met my darling wife through Scooby. He was the toast master thirty-one (31) years ago when we got married apart from crossing sword on that day.

I remember several years before soft sell magazines came into existence, he had suggested we go into publishing which for some reasons we did not do. The point is, Professor Adesugba is never short of ideas. A most striking thing about Soji is that despite having left Service long time, twenty years plus, he still keeps his friends, squad mates and colleagues close to his heart. He is reliable and one of the most responsible friends you can depend on. He ensures that any chance he has to do anything of benefit to anybody is never wasted.

For who and what you are to 31000 SQUAD, we love you immensely.

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba at a Customs ceremonial marriage , 1985 WB Page 22

Professor Adesoji Adesugba is a happily married to his sweetheart, Ayo (who recently retired as a Federal Permanent Secretary)

MAYEGUN OF THE WORLD:

I Prof. Adesoji Adesugba at a Customs ceremonial function, 1986

blessed with lovely children and grandchildren.

My friend and brother, hanging out with you is always a blast, knowing you is a great pleasure, being your friend is heavenly.

Your positive attitude is infectious and unparalleled, you know you have got the killer work ethic which makes you, you. Scooby, I know you are always a winner, I will therefore close with the words of Bear Bryant, an American College Football coach who said ‘If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride - and never quit, you’ll be a winner. The price of victory is high but so are the reward’. You are.

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba

really cannot recall when and where I first met Soji and while I know he is nicknamed ‘Scooby’, I am almost certain that I almost never call him by his nickname as many of his old friends are wont to do. I also don’t know the reason why. In direct converse and in thinking about this, Soji most often only calls me by my first name as opposed to my nickname when matters are serious. Such is the way of our relationship.

However, fact is we are brothers, born in the same year and having grown up with the same ideals from different families hailing from the same local government area in the Akoko sub-region of Ondo State we share a strong bond.

Soji for me epitomizes and embodies everything good about Akoko people and I admire him for this. He collects academ-

ic achievements the way some people collect cars. He is very detailed and professional in all he does. Money is not his driving focus (had that been his driving force, he will today be counted as one of Nigeria’s billionaires for he certainly has had many opportunities to make lots of money). He is a visionary as can be seen from his work at the Nigerian Investment Promotional Commission (NIPC) where he was instrumental in opening up Nigeria to China and with his work at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce BEST Center where he is empowering hundreds of young Nigerians with skillsets, they may otherwise not have been able to acquire. Soji is very committed to service. Service to his people, service to Nigeria especially the Nigerian youth and he is always willing to give his time so much so that I always wonder how he has time for anything else.

Yet, Soji is very social. Urbane,

Austen A. Warikoru Deputy Comptroller General of Customs (Rtd.) WB Page 23

well read and very well-traveled, he easily can fit into any society anywhere in the world and he would be held in high regard. All together, these various skillsets make this Grandfather an easy conversationalist engaging with both the young and the old.

Needless to say, I very much admire Soji. On many occasions, I have sought his wise counsel on varied matters and his perspectives have always been right on the money. Soji seeks to make everyone around him better that they would ordinarily have been.

In fact, he demands this of his friends. He insists that our better angels must be in the forefront of our every action and he will quickly voice his disappointment if one falls short. I value this contribution he has made, and he has certainly been impactful in my life.

A few years ago, his hometown conferred him with the traditional title, Mayegun. However, Soji is bigger than his little hometown so I have unilaterally increased the size of his domain now refer to him as ‘Mayegun of the World’.

As he starts a new phase as elder Statesman, I congratulate Dr. Adesoji Adesugba in all he has achieved, and I am celebratory of his accomplishments.

Congratulations and best wishes.

Oluwole Akande Washington DC , 21 March 2019

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FRIENDSHIP SINCE FORM ONE,

a friend indeed and a brother!

P

rof Adesoji Adesugba as a boy of eleven years old was already very focused thanks to his Dad. Similarities in our background brought us together. We later found out we had common friends, Chuks Ayanso and one or two others in his neighbourhood of Modupe Johnson Crescent and mine Chilaka Close off Adelabu in SuruLere Lagos. The interesting thing as our friendship grew was the acceptance, we both received from our individual parents.

Nothing short of almost swapping Daddy’s. I felt so comfortable with his Daddy strict but full of wisdom, while Soji could spent the whole visit to my house chatting with my very youthful dad. Of course, our parents got to meet each other and Soji’s siblings and mine became very close up till now.

The mutual respect we developed in secondary school blossom into a positive (sibling) rivalry in our academic, social and moral

development in life. Soji my senior brother by five (5) days and I developed a bond which I cannot explain, it was like we have known each other from another life. Similarity in our parenting helped our friendship, being brought up to be God fearing, truthful, honest, respect for elders, to have dignity in Labour, contentment and above all service to humanity gave us a right focus to make us what we are today.

Soji knows how to get in trouble and equally how to get himself out of trouble. Of course, I mean childhood pranks. He was bold, adventurous but calculative. A committed friend that stand by anyone (especially friends) until the problem is solved. Fifty odd years of friendship no regrets meeting and knowing you. Your unequal love and support to all within your sphere of influence is worth mentioning. You are a great guy so proud of you.

I thank God for the memories we share over the years up till now.

Bayo Fadairo BSc Psychology (Unilag) Media, Marketing & Public Relations consultant.

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From One to Sixty

From little acorns, great oaks are born: Prof. Adesoji with his books early in life Prof. Adesoji Adesugba during his Call to Bar, 1989

Form One, Methodist Boys High School, Lagos, 1971

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Prof. Adesoji Adesugba with his siblings; Adedayo

Bachelor’s Degree graduation from University of Lagos, 1981

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba at the White House, Washinton DC, 2008

o and Soromidayo

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba at the Taj Mahal, India, 20009

Masters’ graduation forn Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland, 2009

Doctorate degree graduation from Southern California University, USA. 2018

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba and hisWB loving wife, Page 27 Mrs. Ayotunde Adesugba

“The Future is Mine”

Painting by Samson Adesugba, 2018

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Prof. Adesoji Adesugba; a friend, a brother and an inspiration!

Speaking for myself, I have benefited immensely from all the above dispositions of Prof that it became easy to let the friendship grow to brotherhood and I have become a better person through my interactions with him.

Prof is a “magician” with ideas and whenever I have a crazy idea, the best person to bounce it off will be Prof. Adesugba and the result will be a refined version of the same idea with tonnes of encouragement.

LET NO MAN That marked the Today Prof. Adesoji SAY THAT HE IS A SELFbeginning of a Adesugba is 60 MADE MAN FOR THERE friendship that has years on earth. We IS NOBODY WHO PASSED lasted through the celebrate a friend THROUGH THIS JOURNEY years. I have found and a brother. We WITHOUT SUPPORT Prof to be different celebrate a passionFROM OTHERS. things to different ate Nigerian and a people, but I am conman of ideas. We celebrate vinced that almost all of us who a creator who is was created by will have the privilege to call him The Master Creator 60 years ago. a friend will attest to some common denominators which include Our prayer is for God to continue SUPPORTIVE, COUNSELLOR, MOto bless and your family while TIVATOR, INNOVATIVE, INSPIRAgranting you many more years of TIONAL, NATIONALIST, HUMILITY, good health and prosperity.

URBANE, ETC. Happy birthday Egbon quite a number of us were already in awe of his organizational skills and were therefore pleasantly surprised with the humility and unassuming mien of this great man.

T

he phenomenon called life leads you through a journey with different experiences.

It is a journey through a path that some of us have paved for them while some are destined to pave theirs. Some rare folks have the added thrilling responsibility of paving theirs and also paving the path for others who they meet in the course of the journey. It is a journey like no other.

In the course of my sojourn in life, I met Adesoji Adesugba about 15 years ago. We first met when he was in Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission where he was very instrumental to a successful Abuja Chamber of Commerce organized trade mission to Toronto, Canada. Due to his very busy schedule, he arrived midway into the mission but before his arrival

When Prof joined the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a Vice President, he came on board with unprecedented ideas that led to what is today acknowledged as the best learning platform for skills and business development, actually it’s called the BEST Centre.

High Chief Emeka J. P. Obegolu Akajiugo Anaocha President, Pan African Lawyers Union President, Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators 2nd Deputy President, Abuja Chamber of Commerce Chairman, Governing Council of ACCI DRC

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Mentor

Someone & Build a Nation

“When you develop a mind, you contribute to the development of a people. Never fail to look around you and seek someone you can lift up and make better than yourself irrespective of gender, tribe, or religion, that is a better contribution to society than seeking to buy a private jet�. ~Prof. Adesoji Adesugba~

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THAT CHANCE MEETING CHANGED MY LIFE

N

othing gladdens my heart as this opportunity to pencil down a few thoughts about a great friend and mentor, Professor Adesoji Adesugba at 60!

A chance meeting in 2002 with Prof as he is fondly called in his office at the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC) turned out to be one of the most momentous events of my life. Till date, the event of the July morning remains as clear as daylight to me and will forever be cherished in my memory as the beginning of my long-standing love and admiration for him. As an inexperienced young lawyer, fresh from Law School and having been unable to secure any form of formal employment after my youth service in 2000 decided to venture into the unchartered waters of self-employment to survive the rough terrain of the FCT. I recall my unscheduled visit into the NIPC to make a pitch for my young law firm, Joint Heirs Chambers and I thought that the office of the Director Investment Promotion was a nice place to hit it off. I met with the then director, Alhaji Ghaji Bello, who directed me to make my inquiries from Prof, who at that time was an Assistant Director in the same department.

Walking into his expansive office that day became my most strategic business meeting, as within fifteen minutes chat in a first-time meeting, without any prior referrals or recommendations, Prof told me that he would work with me. I am not sure what exactly I said to him to convince him. From that moment our friendship blossomed over the years. I see in him a principled leader, a teacher and a man of immense wisdom who has steadily guided my career as a lawyer.

Prof comes from a background of WB Page 32

vast experience and is a man that can be said to have seen a broad spectrum of things in his years of service, from working with the Nigerian Customs Service to retiring as the Chairman, Industrial Arbitration Panel, his broad spectrum of service in the public sector is only rivaled by that of his private sector entrepreneurship adventure to his experience as a scholar where he lectures in line with favorite past time which is, people building.

An avid reader, intellectually sagacious, a doting father, a most loyal friend, a human capacity development Champion, a thorough bred professional in the league of great thinkers, a man of uncommon insights and an ideas man with incredible work ethic, Prof commits himself to every assignment with the dexterity and tenacity of a bull. He exemplifies this in his transformational leadership qualities in his role as the Vice President in Charge of Information Communications Technology at the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), where he set up the training arm of the organization, the Business Entrepreneurship Skills Technology (Best Centre), which in less than one year has become the focal point of the Organisation.

His ambitious target of training over 1000 youth yearly under the #BEST1000, received much needed validation with the graduation

of its first 120 young graduates from the Centre. Prof has a deep understanding of the arcane rules of empowerment for self-reliance. As an innovative leader, he believes in the primacy of youth empowerment and building people and does not believe in holding a position to tackle any challenge but rather works silently from the background to deliver intangible results of building the next generation. Under his leadership as Provost, the BEST Centre has become the foremost private response to the burgeoning youth unemployment crisis that is befuddling the entire country.

Eze Anumnu, Chief Counsel, Joint Heirs Chambers, Abuja.

Prof. Asedoji Adesugba and other dignitaries, with participants at the opening of the #BEST1000 Training Programme

A LIFE EVENT CALLED “SCOOBY”

S

cooby happened to me at life’s junction of being and becoming. I was midway (or so I estimated) my studies to become an architect. He was (and still is) in many ways an event, a learning tree and more recently, from his laser-focused mantra of ‘ I-am-not-your-mother-but- youwill-begin- to-think-I-am’ including series of epileptic ‘lashes’ from a vice grip on a guilt whip, I am forced to succumb. I write this shortly after getting lashed.

I had been whining for months about how my doctoral studies and work demands left me no time to compose my preferred eulogy (Eulogy? oh well, we will recycle this write-up when it is apt to refer to it as one). In his usual professor, I-will-teach-yousomething demeanor, he dug out a record from his past teachings to share a story about somebody called Tunde. Tunde was so smart but always fared poorly in tests because he focused so much on quality at the expense of completing anything. Ok, ok, Egin, I get it.

I suffer from procrastination and not unlike cheese, 47 years later it has aged and it stinks. I will write your eulogy unfailingly today. O paari. E ma binu.

I recall milestones when ‘the event’ shaped my life journey.

1994 – participation in the design- build of his house in Lagos.

Following design development, drawings, a model and construction project management, I know hard knocks. The schedule is according to the availability of limited funds. One day Lagos shows itself – we set rebars pour concrete and before the concrete cures, the rebars are stolen. I am

completely floored by my event called Scooby – whose composure and approach to challenges remains unrivaled to this date.

Calm, matter-of-fact let’s fix this and to me, “... stop whining ‘toro.”

1995-1996 – I am official a college dropout. Scooby is stalking me from every part of the globe. “Stupid girl, you better return to Nigeria and get your degree.” I realized now, that it was not just about his sense of social responsibility for impressing on me the relevance of earning a degree. Scooby was (and is very simply) pro-Nigerian and chronically Nigeria-ccentric.

Scooby is progressive (The first person I knew to have an email account and surf the net long before everyone caught on), has an eye for art – began collecting works of unknowns that are now renowned, a wordsmith to whom I owe my scrabble skills, a chess player who changed my game and an afflicted learner (afflicted seems to be my only interpretation of the constant amassing of degrees and certifications) There is also the generous and kind side that keeps an eye out for ways to motivate, encourage and assist the less privileged.

Scooby is an outlier and the unusual human being that I love, respect and whom I hope to be like when I grow up. (I will likely have to wait until another lifetime since I’ve exhausted the growth spurts in this one).

A HEART OF GOLD

I

met Prof when I was holding the first AFRICAN Gem and jewelry exhibition and Seminar in 2017. He was very nice and sounded very intelligent.

We clicked right away. I felt like this was the beginning of mentor mentee relationship but as time went on it went beyond that to an older brother younger sister relationship. Unknown to us we actually knew each other from home. His sister and I were friends back in the day.

Prof is an absolute delight, a great person with a heart of gold.

What I enjoy most about his company are intellectual conversations that we have. Prof is a repository of ideas and is always buzzing with one initiative or the other and very good ones by the way.

So Prof as you get a year older I pray that God will fulfill your hearts desires (and I know it should be in usd). Most of all I pray for good success in every one of your projects and initiatives. God bless you for all you do and all you contribute to the growth and development of humanity.

The End starring AdeScooby Adesoji Adesugba (no sequels and no part two), just a Happy 60th birthday, old man.

Toro Oni New York, Geneva, and sometimes Paris Jummai Oluyede VP Women Development (ACCI) CEO Afrexpo

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A MAN IN THE COAT OF MANY COLOURS!

H

e stuck out his hand for a handshake and said; “I am ‘Soji”...I felt the warmth and firmness accompanied with a captivating smile, which was later discovered to be one of his trademarks.

The above scenario was far back late in the year 1990 just some few weeks in the employment of Richard Munds Limited. He was a non-Executive Director in the company and was around for a meeting of the Board of Directors.

Richard Munds was into Marketing Communication and I was the Head of the Creative Team.

The man popularly addressed as “Scooby” by friends and close associates always spend some quality time with me and colleagues in our studio anytime he comes around.

My first impression of his person was his dress sense, which was and still always smart, simple and snazzy. Likewise, his manner of approach, humble, courteous and respectful. Subsequently, we developed a relationship which I guessed was triggered by his love for the creative world. As I later discovered that he was an ardent art collector.

A “MAN IN THE COAT OF MANY COLOURS”, that’s exactly who he is. I met him first as a director in my company with an earlier hint that he was a serving Customs Officer and as mentioned above an Art Collector too. I unconsciously made him my mentor without his own knowledge. I learnt a lot from him amongst which was not to procrastinate, but rather think out ideas and pursue vigorously to bring to reality. He is a man of too many ideas and always itching to take a risk.

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It was fun having him around, as one is sure of a “takeaway” after such meetings. I later got to know that he had his first degree in Business Administration and the second in Law from the prestigious University of Lagos.

His insatiable drive to break new grounds at all times is something I admired so much and was challenged not to be too complacent about once position at any point in time.

The life in Richard Munds, was fun as I had the opportunity to learn new things and met some great minds in the communication world. But mid-way sometime in year 1994 I quit my job at Richard Munds but already developed a personal relationship with him.

After the life in Richard Munds, I further discovered other gifts in him. He is a free giver who loves everyone around him, but the depth of relationship depends on individual disposition towards him. His ability to accommodate disappointment is something I admired so much about him.

A major plus that I admired so much about him is the ability to take very crucial decisions and stick by it. My most striking experience was on a visit to his post back then at Tincan Island Port in Lagos. We were there for a while and left for his house at Amuwo Odofin. The moment we settled down, he said; “Samsonite, I love my job, but I want a new challenge as everything in life is not about money...” I was really taken aback as this was a man that was newly promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Customs which set his foot on the path of hitting the peak of his career.

I initially thought it was a joke, but that was it. He dropped the uniform and moved on. He left for Abuja for another job...recall what I said about his insatiable drive for breaking new grounds.

There was also this day he came visiting Lagos and I met him at his Hotel room on Allen Avenue by Toyin Round about. I drew his attention to the absence of his pack of cigarettes. His response was, that I already moved on. To those who know him, that was a display of a disciplined mind.

The above-mentioned scenarios taught me that nothing is impossible to achieve in life. My relationship with him actually encouraged me to go into private practice after my time with Richard Munds and that really opened my eyes to many things about life and further strengthen my belief in my personal ability to make things happen. My trust in his person and his genuineness of thought towards everyone that crossed his path made me so comfortable with him Now, to the question; Who is Professor Adesoji Adesugba?

From my own perspective, he is someone I want to describe as a man in a “Coat of Many Colours” because I met and knew him to be the following: first as a non-Executive Director in my company and later as an Officer and a Gentleman, seasoned Administrator, a Lawyer, Investor, Trader in Nigeria Stock Market, Art Collector, Gemologist, Member Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Coordinator of the BEST Centre that recently turned out a thousand entrepreneurs, a philanthropist, a trusted, reliable friend and big brother. And finally, I met a man that could go the extra mile to put a smile on the face of his immediate and extended family members. Let me close by referring to Pa. Samson Adesugba’s comment on his son... He referred to him as a child of destiny and very caring. He said he may not be on ground with him at all times, because of his too many travels all over the world but that he never failed in providing his

needs...Congrats Prof! All I pray is for God to grant you good health to continually keep you under his CANOPY.

Samson Majoyeogbe, Managing Director CEO, Seedvest Limited, Lagos.

YESTERDAY’S WISDOM FROM A GREAT MIND, TODAY’S ME WITH A THANK YOU!

W

ith much honor and pride, I share my experience with one of the rarest persons I know. His prestige, openness, humility and love cannot be contained in this little note. What I am doing however, is engraving just a tinge of his personality in time and eternity.

While it may not be enough, it is written with the sincerest of hearts.

To be a rare kind of human would mean helping others without having any reason to. Through you, I understand, even deeper than I would have imagined, what true religion is just as it is written in Micah 6:8 that: ‘’… what he requires of us is this: to do what is just, to show constant love, and to live in humble fellowship with our God.’’ Your immeasurable selflessness has shaped the facets of life of all the individuals you have touched. But even more than all these people, you have touched, transformed and rejuvenated my life and the lives of the people that are dear to me.

In 2008, as a budding youth corps member trying to find the balance between my imaginative plans and the challenges I would be facing in reality, my uncle Mr. Dele Agekame put me under the care of the person who little did I know would guide and mentor me into what I later became. Prof. believes that helping others is his business and a serious one at that. I have him to thank for the vast amount of knowledge I have gained so far. Working under his tutelage at the Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, he became one of my biggest influences on life decisions. A book he gave me as a gift in the early days of my career has had a great influence on my work productivity till date. I have also learned patience, resilience, smart work and hard work from him.

From those little challenging years as an inexperienced administrator, he coaxed and coated this budding larva into a blooming butterfly, and it was only a few years after that I found my footing in my career growing up the ladder as well as building a family bound together in love and tolerance.

Your respect and understanding of family values is admirable. I recall the support you gave my husband and I during our wedding, the constant advice to Dare my husband and your adopted son, and the prayers you showered on us when we had our first child. You are indeed a rare father, and my family and I will ever be grateful for your mentorship.

and it was his inborn intention to make sure the people that surrounded him built themselves. I understand now that you being a perfectionist has made me conscious about details and finishing.

I admire the dept of your wisdom and knowledge which appears to increase as you age.

Today, I celebrate you Professor Adesoji Adesugba for being an all-round great person and for your exceptional personality.

Thank you for your selflessness, and discipline, for being a giver, mentor, supporter and being the best version of a human. I thank you most importantly, for being the key instrument to who I am today. Happy Birthday to my mentor and teacher.

Mrs. Temitope Ogunleye, MSc, BA

I must admit, there were numerous times when I would run to Prof because I had given up or almost given up. I ran to him because I knew that his words were always reassuring and had never for once failed me. He reassured me with his words and actions over and over during my worst and greatest of moments.

He understands the importance of discipline and growing oneself WB Page 35 Painting by Abayomi Barber, 1993

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A WONDERFUL BOSS AND MENTOR!

W

ell, do you want to know my friend, Boss, Confidant and Mentor?

He is Professor Adesoji Adesugba, an erudite Lawyer, and urbane technocrat, a refined personality whose interpersonal skills are amazing. Soji as is fondly called by friends is a selfless guy who will give you all he has and walk home feeling better than you the recipient.

He has this amazing quality that you would consider infectious because he doesn’t keep malice but would tell you his mind and that ends it. His ability to mend fences and break the ice between warring friends is legendary and altruistic.

He deepens the organization of events with his boundless creativity; his infectious optimism galvanizes many around him with a wet blanket attitude into oblivion. He mentors his protégées with the detail of a comb and instills the discipline of doing things once!

I would write many pages, but all I can say is, he is the guy to run to when the chips are down and would always give his shoulders for friends to lean on.

Happy Birthday Sir.

Aza Emmanuel, Chief Investment Promotion Officer, Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission, Abuja.

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LIFE IS INCOMPLETE WITHOUT OTHERS. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR!

I

t is often said that life is incomplete without others. In the same vein, we meet different people every day, but only a few of those we meet leaves us with something to keep remembering, supportive and something that impacts generation after. Some people have lived a life of great purpose, knowing that a good life is embedded in making others happy. People are not generally remembered by the amount of money they made for themselves, the property they owned and so on but by the value they brought into other people’s life. Words will fail me to describe the person of Professor Adesoji Adesugba on this occasion of His 60th birthday anniversary. A page on the magazine could describe only a few of his attributes and impacts.

host of others to celebrate your ingenuity, passion and unprecedented leadership. Your rare and outstanding life is a miracle to generations of people who experienced those special grace and gift from God that you embody.

Our prayers for you is that God will continue to bless and empower you to do more, and most specially to use you to raise men and women of character who will continue the good deeds you have taught us. I am one of the persons who has learned a lot from you, and I assure you that I will continue to keep your legacy going for generations yet on born.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Usually, people expect from others, but have you ever come across someone who surpassed your expectation, that is Prof.

He is my boss, mentor, father, adviser, helper, and guardian who lavishes my family with incredible love, care, and fatherliness. From the very beginning, you took me as a daughter and stands by my family and me in multiple ways.

His personality is so incredible that he always finds the solution or way around every situation.

You think a situation is so difficult or impossible, just talk to Prof then it becomes as simple as you can never imagine.

Your kind heartedness and honor of goodness are embedded in my heart and that of many who are opportune to have come in contact with you. I describe you as a man of integrity, great wisdom, full of empathy and compassion for other people’s happiness.

Today, my family and I join the

Mrs. Temitope Tinuke, Ed.D (Cand.)

Business Entrepreneurship Skills and Technology Centre Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

YOU MADE THE SEEMINGLY IMPOSSIBLE POSSIBLE FOR ME SIR! MY GRATITUDE TO A GREAT MAN AT 60!

I

am not sure how more than 15 years ago, but with God on my side I found myself in the home of Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, me, a young man from Benue State to work in with a Yoruba family. I remember been a bit worried as to how the differences in culture will affect the relationship. But now, all I can say with all humanity and is my extreme gratitude to the Almighty God that brought me to the care of Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, my father, my father, and my father. Daddy, I dedicate you to God Almighty our Savior Jesus Christ, who makes something out of nothing and made me who I am today by His grace through the very kind father Prof.

Adesoji Adesugba who adopted

“LIVE TO LEARN” THE LEGACY OF A RELENTLESS LEADER

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oday, I have the privilege of celebrating someone who epitomises visionary leadership, yet, one who is the strength of every leader due to his unique ability to follow. Despite his monumental achievements, Prof’s humility and dedication to what he believes are exceptional.

Professor Adesoji Adesugba’s life reflects a true representation of the adage “live to learn”. I admire the role that Prof has played as founder and Provost of the Business Entrepreneurship Skills and technology (BEST) Centre.

Although one of the many institutions he has passionately contributed to establishing, the role he played in founding the Centre as the Vice President ICT, and now overseeing the Centre

me from an early age, taught, me, brought me up, mentored me, provided for me in times of need, clothed me and gave me all my needs despite the fact that I am not from his Yoruba tribe but an Idoma. Thank you, father, for your faithfulness, grace and mercy for provision and protection throughout your life. To God be the glory.

I also want to appreciate your contribution tremendously in the course of my study, a million thanks Prof. and Mrs. Adesoji Adesugba for your financial contribution, fatherly advice, words of encouragement, your fatherly concern, moral impact, love and care shown to me throughout my course of study and my stay with you. And also, for time dedication, qualitative instructions, constant supervision and immense help in the time of my needs. Indeed, you have added value to my life. God in his infinite mercy will add value to your life and the life of your family. has literarily changed the rules not only of the Abuja Chambers of Commerce Industry, but also of the Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria as a whole.

Prof is an accomplished academic with success in diverse roles; a founder, a Business Professor, an Investment Promotion and Economic Development Specialist, a Lawyer, a Certified International Commercial Arbitrator, an Advisor to established institutions and clients of diverse backgrounds.

He is a Doctor of Business Administration and belongs to two top honours society, Delta Mu Delta, and Sigma Beta Delta.

His mentoring qualities are of the highest order and under his stewardship, myself and staff of BEST Centre look forward to positioning BEST as one of the most successful training and research Centres in the country. He has continued to give his best to his

My appreciation will not be full if I fail to mention your countless and constant worries and concern for my wellbeing. From the depth of my head and with great humility and respect I say thank you. My prayers for you is that you shall live to eat the fruit of your labour in life. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.

Okpe Andrew Industrial Arbitration Panel, Centre Business District, Abuja, Nigeria.

students and mentees as a person of highest honesty, reliability and naturalness. Many of his Protegees are presently either founders or occupying important positions in reputed organisations and institutions.

Prof’s leadership has been exemplary, and he has set the pace for us to build our future with creativity and vision.

Victoria Akai Director, ACCI BEST Centre, Abuja.

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“Without family, we are nowhere. Family supports us in times of needs and builds us to be who we are, creating values, creating history and a linkage that continues into eternity. A good family will join together to make life worth living, I thank God for my family�. ~Prof. Adesoji Adesugba~

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Our Parents’ days of prayers and infusing the word of God in us worked! Happy birthday brother!

My days of awareness and remembrance began when I was about age 3. I discovered that I was born into an extensive family just about that time. I also found myself in a bungalow, in a place called Surulere, living with my father, mother and 6-year-old brother. I was told that we moved into that house from another place called Lagos Island a few years after my birth and that the house I grew up in was much bigger than that which I was born.

Growing up was between challenging and fun. My father and mother were Civil Servants who were very serious with life. I was raised alongside my brother with a very strong hand and Christian values that are almost in extinction today. My brother Adesoji, was the easier going mild mannered one, while I was the much headier and stronger willed child.

I remember our romping around the house together as children and our connection to the neighborhood. We had neighbors that were like family back in those days and it was routine going to their houses to play with other children. The neighborhood playing ground was next door, so we would play football, cricket and other games. I was more of the sporty type and my brother would rather play hide and seek and board games.

Our parents raised us to be a very close-knit family, even with our cousins, nieces and nephews. I remember we would go to my elder sister’s home at Yaba almost every Sunday to visit in an attempt to see that we bonded together with our nieces and nephews, while my cousins would come and stay with us during the holidays. 29, Modupe Johnson Crescent, was a mecca of sorts for my family. My little sister Soromidayo George came by when I was about 8 years old. Her entry into the family was a joy. I saw myself now having an addition to the conversation I had developed with my elder brother Adesoji.

Adesoji had always shown strong leadership qualities growing up. As for me, I had no issues following him and I would tag along back then, with the confidence that I had a bigger brother who was always protective. There was hardly any display of sibling rivalry amongst us as we attended the Surulere Baptist School together. The school was just 2 stone throws away from the house. He was 2 classes ahead of me and we would walk to school every morning in our starched white school uniforms and brown clarks shoes. I remember how he would always act out the role of the elder brother at that early stage.

I was very rascally growing up. With parents who were strict disciplinarians, this unfortunately was a wrong choice of behavior, growing up with a father who an ex-soldier and a social worker mother. My father or mother would cane me severely when I fell short of the standards, which was quite often. On the other hand, Adesoji always never got the same treatment, since he was always well behaved, took life more seriously and much more obediently. Nonetheless, he seemed to always share the pain with me due to his caring nature.

Growing through our teenage years saw him shaped into a very loving, protective and caring person. Friends were not in short supply. Our neighborhood was a very friendly and safe one. We spread our friendship tentacles into a wider area of the neighborhood; Adeniran Ogunsanya, jalupon Close, Curtis Adeniyi Jones, Bode Thomas, Chilaka Close, Adelabu Street and environ, while we congregated frequently at the Shell Club, NPA and Union Bank sports ground, playing football, tennis and squash rackets with our growing network of friends.

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My brother made friends with ease, most especially when he left for the University of Lagos and became a rather popular individual. This was destined to be, due to his innate, God given nature. Adesoji is a very giving person, who deeply cares for everyone he meets. He also has this detachment from ephemeral and material things. He will give all he has without a blink.

I think some of his friends noticed this trait in him earlier and took advantage of it. That which he didn’t give they took, and he will shrug it away without any hard feelings. I’m always dumbstruck at his capacity to let go and forgive that my life has been shaped by this singular attribute in my brother. Times when he had been defrauded or cheated and I become very agitated with feelings of taking back a pound of flesh, he will always tell me, “Rakapu forget it, ti won lo ju”. Translating – “Rakapu forget it, the greater challenge lies with them”. Adesoji silently taught me the essence of forgiveness.

Reading is a tradition in the family. To this end, taking up life’s challenges included achieving greater exploits in the world of knowledge. It is not a surprise that Adesoji, today has a doctorate and a professorship in academia. God has blessed him with a sharp analytical mind and being cerebral is like breathing. This attribute has created a penchant for him to be a little impatient with the less endowed who are more in number in our environment today. However, he has developed a passion to overcome this anomaly by giving of himself to the cause of improving the thinking abilities of myriads of humans that have in one way or the other found themselves in his sphere of influence, while seeking to emancipate them from the shackles of poverty that’s so prevalent in our world. As always, he gives himself to the cause of humanity.

Adesoji, has been the brother born for adversity. He saw me through my difficult years. My brother would share his finances with me without giving it a thought up till now, despite the fact that I’ve also grown to be God-sufficient with a family of mine. He dotes on my boys, Adedapo and Benjamin. He’s always looking out for them, while he ensures that Benjamin grows up nurturing the God given gift of music that’s already clearly visible in him, just like he did for Adedapo who today a young man is to reckon with in the field of visual art.

Adesoji, the Good Book revealed to me “a friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity” – Proverbs 17:17. You are an absolute fit of this profound scripture. I’m eternally grateful to have you as my brother.

On this day of your 6 score on planet earth, I salute you my brother. I lift up my heart and my voice and pray for you. May you live the rest of your years in wisdom, sound health, peace and joy. May your influence across the nations of the earth continue to increase in leaps and bounds. As the Good Book refers to you, “see a man diligent in his work, Adesoji, you will continue to stand before Kings and not before mean men”.

May the joy of the Lord continue to be your strength in the Almighty name of Jesus, our Lord, Savior and Master. Wishing you a happy birthday and many, happier returns.

Lovingly Yours, Adedayo, Olaolu Adesugba Chairman, Institute of Hospitality UK, Nigeria Branch

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Professor Doctor Great Uncle Soji Adesugba - a man of many letters!!!

It’s an honour to write to wish our great Uncle a very happy 60th birthday.

How do you spell Soji Adesugba??? What do you call him???

Gruncle (great Uncle) as he’s known in our house, has always been to me first of all THE greatest Uncle, my father’s younger brother, but more than that I celebrate him on Father’s Day because he has always been a dad to me. My second dad.

And above that he’s been a friend, a support, a listening ear, an oracle of wisdom and guidance, a dependable rock.

ProfDoc has a warm and a giving heart; much more than that, he has a forgiving heart. He has steadfastly supported me all the way from my starting university and continuing up till now without fail. And as he has supported me, he has also supported and encouraged my own children through their formative years. I’m sure everyone who writes about him will say the very same thing.

Everyone will also say that he clearly thinks too much and has too many degrees. He collects degrees like many women collects handbags. I have been mindful to caution him from the words of the bible in Acts 26:24 when Festus tells the Apostle Paul, “you are beside yourself, too much learning has made you mad”!!!

It’s apparent to me that Great Uncle Scooby has no intention to ever die because by that time many decades from now, it’s unlikely we will find a headstone to fit in all his titles.

Great men however are always misunderstood and thought to be mad, especially the very wise men, the seers, and the prophets. So Gruncle is in good company. Even the family of Jesus said he was out of his mind (Mark 3:21).

As an experienced, and certified Psychiatrist with decades of experience, I can however assure everyone that My dad, my great uncle, my friend, Professor Doctor Adesoji Adesugba is without doubt, completely out of his mind with learning (Acts 26:24), just like Paul. I have no doubts about it!!!!!!! Like the great prophet and seer he is, he is also without equal.

Congratulations Uncle on your 60th birthday. You deserve all of the best that life has to offer and myself and my family, we wish you all of the best on this your milestone birthday. Longer life, more prosperity.

Dr Olugbenga Akande MBBS MSc MBA FRCPsych CCST Medical Director, John Munroe Group, UK Vice Chair Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry Royal College of Psychiatrists

My Uncle is awesome! Happy birthday Uncle!

I don’t think I can never forget when he told me, “Adedapo...the best thing you can do for yourself is to never stop learning..there is no age limit to when you can always go back to school’’ He had just come back from a trip and he took me to eat amala. My uncle has always played a major role if my life was a stage play. I remember when I told him I needed a laptop back in school and he didn’t even hesitate to give me his, a new one he just bought for himself. I have always admired how he wants to know everything and learn something new every day. I am not great at writing, but I am going to try my best to express myself in this small piece.

My dad always accused him of spoiling me...but I just think he’s the kind of person always willing to give a second chance. Even when I disappoint him. He can be very pessimistic at times, but you can be assured he’s going to brag about you when do well.

I don’t want to make this a long epistle...I think it’s safe to say that he’s the perfect role model for success. I wish him many more years to come...and greater heights in his career!

Adedapo Adesugba (Collyde Prime) Creative Director and Internationally renowed Cartonist, Lagos WB Page 42

MY BROTHER

ADESOJI, OLUKAYODE

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am an extremely lucky woman.

I was born into a home, with a loving and doting father, an industrious mother and the best brothers you could ever wish for in life. I attribute this, though, solely to the fact that my dad was not only a union soldier as my brother, Adesoji would lovingly call him but also a Christian soldier.

A couple of words describe my bother Adesoji – these are: Giving, lively, tenacious & determined. I’ll explain. I’m not sure, if he remembers, but l do: Adesoji Olukayode, Adesugba has a friend called Osahan who told me that if ‘Soji had only One Naira in his pocket, he would gladly give N0.99 of that N1.00 away. This is ‘Soji. I also remember a time in my life when ‘Soji gave me a car to use. It was a small, white, Toyota car (can’t remember the model). One fine day as l was driving through Adeniran Ogunsanya, Surulere, Lagos, l was stopped by several people along the road who kept shouting Scooby (‘Soji’s nickname), think-

ing that he was the one driving the car. Unlike my two brothers, l am more introverted and felt absolutely harassed by the time l got home, at the way l was stopped almost every one meter by someone who knew him and thought he was the one driving – this is ‘Soji, the popular and lively man, who is always in the midst of friends, giving of himself and being the life of the occasion – no matter what that occasion was.

Adesoji’s career is characterized by tenacity and determination.

He has shaped and motivated me over the years to venture into the unknown and do the impossible. ‘Soji burns the mid night oil, he amasses knowledge and disseminates ideas to shape new ventures. Adesoji is an inspiration, he is a giver of life – he is a God given gift to me. God has used him and still uses him to help shape my existence. God gave him to me as a succor, a leader and father figure when my dad passed away. God used Adesoji to shape and help me be the woman l am today. In my career, Adesoji is there, in my ventures into more knowledge acquisition, Adesoji is also there. He would constantly challenge me to read more, study more and do more. He is my career coach, my network and facilitator of good things.

and his comfort just to make sure l didn’t lack. Scooby as his friends call him as an extremely loving heart. Though impatient, and cranky when he feels things are done less excellently than they should be or when it appears that one is procrastinating or–can’t get the job done, he is a ‘softie’ inside who believes in the act of helping the vulnerable and needy.

My darling Prof., a man of knowledge, a loving and doting father and husband, my brother and friend, l sincerely wish you the best very of life, comfort, joy, God’s blessings and breakthroughs. I pray with all my heart that God will protect you and yours and that the very best days of your life are just beginning. As you have helped many – God will help you. As you have supported many – God will support you and open great doors for you.

I love you.

Oluwasoromidayo George Corporate Affairs Director, Unilever Nigeria

When my husband and l were starting out in our marriage, Adesoji helped us to start out on a sound and comfortable note.

Adesoji would sacrifice his time WB Page 43

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LETTER DAD To My

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Dearest Daddy, t’s a joyous day today as we celebrate you, giving thanks unto God for His many mercies and grace and for upholding you with His right hand.

As I look back to the worthy legacies you have set, I realize that every time you gave the needy, every time you placed others before yourself, you laid for me a foundation of selflessness. I am grateful to God for: Your kind, thoughtful and very helpful words of wisdom and advice!

Your wonderful and infectious sense of humor Your integrity Your commitment and loyalty Your constant attitude of contentment, gratitude, being joyful, and choosing joy (Literally choosing Ayo) Your work ethic and diligence in life Your love for God and pleasing God Your kindness, generosity, and humility WB Page 44

Your love for learning, and perseverance Your respect for others, respect for diverse beliefs, and for different ways of life Your love for life, travel and living in the present!

These are all attributes I pray I can continually develop in my own life too – to edify myself, edify others, ultimately honoring and glorifying God! Happy Birthday Dearest Daddy – Thank you for being the best dad!

Sincerely, Omotinuwe Adesugba, Digital Marketing Specialist

My Father

A man with great achievements and a Heart of Gold.

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y father, Adesoji Adesugba is the most honourable man I know. A man with great achievements and a heart of gold. A man of God and a family man, he holds himself to a higher standard and helps everyone around him become a better person. Although my Dad has many achievements, he makes it clear to us all that his ambitions to make his country, continent and even the world a better place is a clear goal of his.

I remember one evening about 20 years ago, My father came back home from work. He informed my sisters and I that we would be moving to a new city, Abuja. We were all unsure of what to expect.

He reassured us and ensured when we arrived to this new, big city we had everything we needed. From a new house, to ensuring our education was a priority.

Although this was one of many times my father has ventured towards success and supported his family along the way, his ability to provide for not only his immediate family but also care for his extended family attests to the nature of his character.

My father also has great zeal for bettering himself. He has a DBA, Ed.D (cand.), MSc, MBA, LL.B, BL, BSc and many other alphabets and diplomas to his name. This desire to learn has also rubbed off on me and he continuously inspires me to follow in his foot-

steps to be the best I can be.

Here is to my father reaching the age of 60 and to a long, healthy and happy life.

Lots of Love Adeolu Adesugba MSc., Vancouver Canada

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Happy 60th birthday my dear Prof.

The Mayegun of Ogbagi Akoko!!!

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y Dear, my brother, my cousin (omo olu, omo ododoro, omo awoso bi eni woma, omo agba’ofe la ni ojo to sooro…)

I have known you all my life as someone very focused, intelligent and full of wisdom.

I call you my science-oriented administrator and Barrister because of your passion for technology.

Adesoji, my very own dear; you never let go of me even when I distant myself and we have our squabbles – You’ve been, and you are my support in every way I cannot explain:

My Dad, My Teacher, My Life.

Happy birthday Dad!

For being my brother; you make me feel protected For being firm; you make me stay disciplined For being an intellectual; you motivate me to forge ahead For being a pillar; you make me have courage to do anything

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Dear Daddy, hen I sit back and remember all the countless times that you provided me with guidance, I am convinced that the God knew what He was doing when the God chose you to be my dad. The one man that always encouraged me to reach for the stars was you. I am thankful for all the things you prepared me for.

One thing that is most distinguishable of your character is humor. Your humor has seen me through many trials. Your way of dealing with things is what people see in me too. You are my tower of strength. I can never thank you enough for being an amazing example of a true human being in my life. You have motivated me in every walk of life, be it education, extra-curricular activities or relationships at different stages in my life.

Daddy, I truly appreciate you! I pray for many more joyful, prosperous, happy, and healthy years for you. May you find peace, joy, and contentment in all you do. I pray that God’s hand of favor will WB Page 46

For being who you are; you make me love you more and more.

As you celebrate 60 years on earth, I wish you the very best of God’s blessings and thanks for being the best.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAYEGUN Aladesola Olu-Ibukun, Principal Procurement Officer NASENI/Prototype Engineering Development Institute (PEDI) Ilesa, Osun State.

always be upon you. As you grow older, may you continue to have a fruitful, joyful and productive life.

Sincerely, Adesola Adesugba, Senior Analyst, Main One Cables Ltd.

D

Uncle Soji!

He gives and gives and gives Its so uncanny!

Dad, You are truly the Best ever!

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addy is the best man I’ve ever known. He is kind, loving has a big heart, and he is completely selfless. He is the special type of human who takes the shirt off his back to clothe you. He is one of the rare good Samaritans.

He’s a strategist, a great advisor and an educator. He inspires many and encourages me to learn something new every day. He’s helped shape me into an innovator and a go-getter. He sees me more than I see myself and has always believed in a most bright future for myself. This vision has helped me push further and further beyond the limit and that’s the kind of atmosphere he creates for everyone who crosses his path with him.

and best friend. With age comes more grace. I thank you daddy for all you do for this family, our community, your friends and all you continue to contribute to this nation. It’s easy to lose hope in this Country sometimes but with people like you around our spirits are renewed. Cheers to a never-ending success. Cheers to the greatest I’ve ever known.

A father might hold his daughter’s hand for a short while, but he holds her heart forever.

Bonne Anniversaire Papa! ¡Feliz cumpleaños! On t’aime beaucoup!

Oluwafolakemi Adesugba Correspondent, Arise TV Abuja

He is a true visionary he takes his community along with him. A clear example of that is the excellent work he continues to do with the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry BEST 1000 program where he is currently training one thousand Nigerian youths in different vocations free of charge.

What a fantastic achievement indeed.

As long as he’s on this planet his achievements will never end, I know that for sure. When such a unique and ever studying person is your father it makes you never want to fall short in following his footsteps. I am ever so honoured to have him as a father, confidant

was received into the Adesugba family 23 years ago. Walking down memory lane into the present, I want to thank the Lord for such an enriching experience.

Through these years, I’ve lived to find succour and happiness in the family. This support has not only come from my husband and my wonderful Sis-in-”love” Oluwasorodayo, but from members of the family who have received me as their own. Most worthy of mention is my big brother-in-”love”, Professor Adesoji Adesugba.

Uncle Soji, as I fondly call him, is a man with a heart of gold. His kindness for humanity knows no bounds. I’ve always been a recipient of that grace. Uncle Soji will always call me, to find out how I’m faring; “Bola bawo ni? so wa okay”…meaning “Bola how are you? Hope you’re okay”. Then I will respond, in the affirmative and our brief conversation will end in him asking about the children and how we’re faring.

His capacity to give and keep giving is uncanny, especially in a world of self-gain. He always reminds me of my father-in-”love”.

I will never forget last year, when my husband became very ill and was hospitalised. He came in from Abuja in his busy schedule and spent a week with us just to be with him. I was wondering to myself, what type of a man is this?

I’m most grateful to God, for his life.

Egbon mi, on a day that we celebrate your 60th birthday, celebration is not only here on earth, celebration is presently taking place in heaven. Our Father, the Creator of the heavens and the earth celebrate you; Our Lord Jesus Christ celebrates you; Our Lord the Holy Spirit celebrates you. The Angels celebrate you.

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60 years is a new beginning for you, it will definitely usher in greater strength, greater capacity, increased prosperity and prominence. Thank you for standing by us. Thank you for your words of encouragement in my challenging times. May God continue to bless you and give you an inheritance amongst the sanctified.

Happy 60th birthday!

Mrs. Bolanle Adesugba

Professor Adesugba -

“Bring out the BEST in Others”

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once told a colleague that I had no idea where Professor Adesoji Adesugba marshalled the incredible energy that he has from. I continued jokingly, that approaching 60, whatever it was that Soji had bottled up, I wanted a tiny sip of it.

“Tireless”, “resolute”, “energetic”, and “relentless” are some of the adjectives that could properly be used to describe Adesoji. My first meeting with him was back in 1981. He had been tasked by his future wife with locating the elusive Dapo Akinyebo and determining whether I was still a Student of the University. He spent the better part of six weeks combing the length and breadth of the University of Lagos Campus until he finally ‘unearthed’ me and was able to determine that I was still a student of the University.

After just one meeting with him, it struck me that I was talking to a true “People Person”. The sense that I use the word “People Person” today, is in the context of a man who has devoted his energies and focus in helping, encouraging, motivating and bringing the best out in those around him.

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gone on to became the founder and Provost of the BEST Centre of the Abuja Chambers of Commerce in Nigeria. He has been for years a passionate advocate for improved skills through dual and multi-vocational training for combating unemployment and poverty reduction in Africa; The impact of his contributions to the Centre have been realised in skills development through his endto-end work mentoring young under privileged school leavers in developing entrepreneurship skills. What impresses me is Soji’s passion for not only designing and developing the programme content, but his hand’s-on involvement in the content delivery of all the programmes at the BEST Centre. Being involved in ‘another life’ in Curriculum design and development, I found the curriculum content of the Entrepreneurship Development Program for young school leavers at the BEST Centre, refreshing and extremely innovative in its focus. 350 youths from challenged backgrounds have initially benefitted from this trail blazing programme.

Soji is a man of varied facets and skill sets. After a long distinguished and unblemished career in the Nigerian Customs and Excise Service, Professor Adesoji retired to deal with an issue close to his heart. He currently works intensively with paramilitary retirees assisting them understand and overcome the fear and challenges of retirement, as well as developing new skills. The result of these efforts led to his recent re-appointment as the Chairman of the National Association of Retired paramilitary Officers, Nigeria for another 4-year term. I was recently speaking with a retired Nigerian Custom’s officer who spoke glowingly key advice and guidance which Professor Adesugba provided to them in terms of transferring the skills that they (recent retirees) had into diverse fields like consultancy and Educa-

tion.

There are many others who owe to Professor Adesugba, a debt of gratitude; Those who as far back as three decades ago, benefitted from educational scholarships and packages of support which he provided to the less needy.

Some of those beneficiaries have gone on to become Captains of Industries and key professionals in various sectors of the Nigerian Society.

Various friends, colleagues and acquaintances view Professor Adesugba from variety of perspectives. Some will view him as a seasoned academic seeing him as one of Africa’s leading authorities in Investment and Export Promotion. Others view him as a fearless advocate; a lawyer ready to fight the corner of the underprivileged (his recent efforts in supporting pro bono, married women sacked

by Globacom, Nigeria is a case in point).

My view of Soji, is as a ‘people person’ whose aim is always to bring out the BEST in others.

Wishing him a very happy 60th birthday in advance, and many more years of public service to the people around him.

Dapo Akinyebo Solicitor Legal Adviser Her Majesty’s Court’s Service United Kingdom

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba Chairman FCT Chapter WB Page 49

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, with the immediate past president of FEWACCI, Mr. Essohouna Germain Meba, 2019

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba with the Ambassador of Ukraine in Nigeria, Valerii Aleksandruk, 2019

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, the Maiyegun of Ogbagi Akoko, Ondo state, Nigeria. 2012

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba with his childhood friend, Aliko Dangote

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, with Filipo Amato and other members of the EU Commission, 2019

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, with with the DG of GIN, Anna Momoh, 2019

WB Page 50 Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, with Bhudist priests in Thailand, 2016

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Prof. Adesoji Adesugba in Sandton city, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2018

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, with Prince Adetokunbo Kayode SAN, CON, at a function in Monrovia Liberia, with a Royal king from Ghana, and his wife and his family, 2017

Miss, Ifeoluwa Ninalowo, Prof’s Granddaughter

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, with old NIgeria Customs Service squadmates, Comptroller Rtd. Tope Ogunka and Deputy Comptroller General of Customs Rtd. Austen Warikoru

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba with Phyno and some othe artists

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba with his childhood friend, His Excellency, the Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo

Master Samson Adesugba, Prof’s Grandson

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, advising a mum and her daughter, Mrs Christy Oji and Edna Oji

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba, with his in-laws, Banff, Canada, 2015

My favorite spot, Eifel tower, Paris, 2006

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INDUSTRIAL ARBITRATION PANEL THE PANEL WAS ESTABLISHED TO SETTLE TRADE DISPUTES Address

Future View Plaza (2nd, 3rd and 4th Floor) Plot 259, Samuel Ademulegun Street, Opposite National Mosque, P.M.B 372

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Prof. Adesoji Adesugba Chairman 2009 - 2013

Painting by Abayomi Barber, 1993

Happy!

Happy!!

Happy!!!

60th birthday to our Daddy Abuja!

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Dear Daddy Abuja, ords fail me! If there’s anyone who believes in me more than myself, it’s you Sir. When one of my uncles told me, there is one of my dad’s cousin who could help me look for work after my NYSC, it was you that destiny sent me to.

Your advice then gave me the will to start my small business which has made me not an employee but an employer of labour. Your words of advice and mentoring, your patience at answering my never-ending questions and your teachings lifted me professionally, ethically and even spiritually and

made me feel I have a second dad even though you are my dad’s second cousin. Baba mi, you are the most selfless person I’ve ever met.

You know, there is no way I can talk about my business today without you Sir. When I had doubts, Prof. doubles it up with tips and boosts my confidence.

Prof is like my father and my mentor. I’m a better woman and mother today because of God and you, you are one of God’s biggest blessings to me and others, I later learnt you took others under your wings as well over the years, this I now know is your character, to

help, help, and help others in need.

I pray God grants you your heart’s desires, your children will also find help in their time of needs, and you will forever find favor with God and man, God’s abundant grace is yours! My daughter Tomisi (who now calls you grandpa Abuja) and I wish you all the best and pray for good health as you age gracefully Sir. Happy, Happy, Happy 60th Daddy Abuja!

Omowumi Adesuyi CEO, Posh Alariya Events, Lagos WB Page 53

Man

Moment

of The

Prof. Adéso̩ jí Adésúgbà

In order to put everything in perspective, we decided to interview the man himself. This is an interesting interview with Prof. Adéso̩jí Adésúgbà

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Q: You are going to be 60years in a couple of weeks; do you feel different?

as you would if you are younger, you mature, it is a different kind of feeling you know.

A: Mentally and physically no.

To some extent there are a few things I still have to do to be much more energetic, you can see that as you age, you start looking at things differently in terms of yourself, your body, your health, and what you eat. You are not as adventurous as you used to be, you don’t take chances as much

And also you feel different because of the situation around you, the country and the world has changed, the weather is changing and you also look around you, in terms of feeling different, you also feel different in the sense that those who are growing up around you are also a bit different from you. Our children especially the

millennial, think differently and if you are not into their technology you start looking at yourself as old, technology has changed, everything is changing, so it makes you feel somehow different.

Q: So have you also entered that phase when people reflect on their past?

A: Sometimes to a great extent, sometimes you want to assess yourself, some things that happened in your past with nostalgia, of the people you grew up knowing that are no more, you think about the fondness, things that happened, you ask yourself the question as to what you have done along your life’s journey, whether you have been able to achieve what you set out to do; yes I think about it and in summation I thank God for His mercies, it has been a good story to a great extent I have achieved most things I set out to do.

Q: One of the things I noticed about you is you don’t stop, you always feel this need to do

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Q: You look back, aside the school, are there other things you wished you would have done differently?

something more; what is the push?

A: That is my mother. I think it is a psychological thing, for me I take opportunity to learn about new things when I am working, if I need a certification if I change my job, I try to certify myself and make myself an expert at what I do at that particular time. And that is why you see each time I work in a place I get the certification that I need to excel in that particular job, and that is why it seems to a lot of people that I keep on acquiring degrees.

Q: How long have you been married and tell me about your family?

A: I got married December 20, 1984 and that should be about 35years ago, to a wonderful lady, Ayotunde nee Akinyebo. She has been a wonderful wife and moth-

er, friend, sister and everything, very persevering, she knows the kind of friends I keep, and I am always out doing one thing or the other, she has been very understanding, the best cook in the world.

I have four lovely kids, all grown up now, three girls and a young man, and I have two grandchildren, so I am a proud grandfather. I have two siblings Dayo and Soromidayo, they are doing very well too. Dayo is currently the Chairman of the Hospitality Institute UK, the Nigerian branch, he is also a pastor. My sister Soromidayo is the Director of corporate affairs at Unilever, she is an expert on sustainable development goals and corporate social responsibility, she is married and also got kids. Dayo is married to Bola, wonderful lady. Soromidayo is married to Timi, a gentleman and a banker.

A: I think I should be more careful with the way I spend money, I think I should have planned more economically in terms of the businesses I went into in my early days, they probably fail because I didn’t pay attention to details then especially as to finances and what to do with money, now I have learnt a lot I know better and I can advise more, I can also turn around companies based on past experience.

Also, I think I should have spent more time listening to stories from my dad because he was really gifted in telling stories, I think I spent much more time going about my own businesses. If I could turn back the hands of clock, I will just listen to him speak.

Q: Looking back at the Nigerian you grew up in and the Nigeria as it is now; how do you feel?

A: It is always very difficult to compare but I think one critical thing is I am not sure we have had the best in terms of the collective leadership given to Nigeria. Why I said it is a bit difficult to compare is because I was born in Nigeria when Nigeria was about forty million people and Lagos was barely 1million people, but now Lagos is about 28million and the

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Q: Are you now a pastor too?

country is about 200million; and this is with depleting resources.

And for every year Nigeria grows by another 5million people, so for every year we have about a new country in Nigeria; so things are generally not as efficient as it used to be while I was growing up while I was in primary school, secondary and even while I was in the university. When you look back and think that people like myself attended public schools and compare it to what you have these days, I think a lot more needs to be done to get things in proper perspective.

Q: So, what next? You are running the BEST Centre, what next with yourself, the centre?

A: I am not sure how to go about that, but definitely I shall continue to give back to society. Right now, what I am doing is building capacity and giving skills to young Nigerians. I will continue to be involved in economic development activities; I will also like to be involved in education development, and for the next few years I hope to be involved in issues relating to promoting my community and promoting Nigeria; I shall continue to be involved in gender activities, that is working for women and youth groups as well as the aged folks. I will also continue to advocate for good WB Page 58

governance and a good business environment to enable businesses to thrive. I will continue to serve diligently and put God first anywhere I find myself.

A: I am not a pastor, but I grew up in a house of prayers. My mother would wake us up at 4am and we would pray till 6am, we will pray before eating, before sleeping and indeed all through the day, I still do that. My mother taught us the Bible and how to pray and how to do good and how to serve the Lord. So, it is not surprising when I tell people that I belong to a family of priesthood. We are born to serve the Lord, but we serve God in different ways; even though I am not a pastor preaching the gospel, but I deliver the principles taught me from the word of the Lord for the good of my society.

Prof. Adesoji Adesugba WB Page 59 Chief Superintendent 1982 - 1999

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