Ex-envoy, Ogun HoS, Adeyemo, others named among Ogun 50 Top Role Models

Property developer, Babatunde Adeyemo, has been listed among the ‘Ogun State 50 Top Role Models.’

Adeyemo who is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Pelican Valley Nigeria Limited, was listed alongside a prominent politician and the immediate past Nigeria’s High Commission to the United Kingdom, Ambassador Tunji Isola and Ogun State Head of Service (HoS), Mr Kehinde Onasanya, as notable role models by the Prestige Newspaper, one of the oldest surviving community newsreel in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The “Ogun State Top 50 Role Models” is a book project of the Prestige Newspaper and the third in the series by the Publisher/Chief Executive Officer, Mr Dada Olanipekun, to celebrate Nigerians who were born inside and outside of the Gateway State.

The public presentation of the book was done on Wednesday, July 31, at the Press Centre, Ogun State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) Abeokuta.

Explaining the rationale for the recognition, Olanipekun said although realtor Adeyemo is not an indigene, the news medium found his contributions not only as a veteran broadcast journalist but also because of his recognition as the “poster boy of real estate” practice in the state.

The publisher added that the sterling qualities of Adeyemo who equally doubles as the promoter of Oko Opo Foundation, a not-for-profit organisation established about 18 months ago to cater for widows, children and the downtrodden members of the society, have made it inevitable to recognise him.

In his response, Adeyemo commended Olanipekun for recognising and described the 346-page book as a “product of critical thinking” that will stand the test of time, stressing that it was a recognition done in a dignifying manner to the beneficiaries.

He noted that the recognition of the 50 top role models is a wake-up call to the present-day educated parents and guardians to raise their children and wards responsibly to enable them to become good members of the society and future role models to others, pointing out that the few role models of today were raised by largely illiterate petty pepper sellers, poor farmers and traders.

He said he would continue to use his personal life experience to inculcate in the nation’s young minds that despite the seemingly daunting challenges, it’s still quite possible to succeed in Nigeria without engaging in sharp practices, cutting corners or travelling out – Japa.

Reflecting on the planned nationwide protest which begins tomorrow, August 1, he appealed to the youths to shun any call to violence, destruction and anarchy, saying such are counterproductive.

He urged them to adopt dialogue and collective bargaining instead of violence, give President Bola Tinubu time and set targets for him to address their demands.

Adeyemo said, “Even if you must protest as a constitutionally guaranteed right, please be civil and peaceful about it, you will be heard because the world has become a global village. Violent protest is counterproductive. We saw how violence, destruction and protest hijack whittled down the ideals of the October 2020 EndSARS movement. We don’t want a repeat of such an unfortunate experience. Even in Kenya where the youths have taken to the streets, the people are already licking their wounds. Many are regretting it. 50 Kenyans have died and over 100 of them have been wounded since the tax hikes protest against the country’s President, William Ruto, began.”