Who could believe that a young man whose father died when he was eight years old, who celebrated his 10th birthday at a bus garage in Lagos (Iyana Ipaja to be precise) selling iced water to support his mother, whose identity was stolen when he relocated to UK and who was ridiculed when he started out as a speaker is now a multiple award winner with 160 awards, an iconic global brand, a renowned international motivational speaker, human capital development expert, business transformation strategist, leadership trainer, business mentor, executive coach, award winning event host, bestselling author, a key person of influence, board member, HR leader, community champion, philanthropist and most importantly a devoted Christian, husband of a beautiful wife and father of awesome children. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. This is the Lord’s doing; It is marvelous in my eyes. I return all the glory to God. I am grateful for the Lord’s grace upon my life because I am a product of grace. I am grateful for who I have become. I am happy the way my life has turned out. Most people did not believe that I would turned out like this. I know my mother would be very proud of me that her toil in me did not end up in vain. I feel great and fulfilled seeing the results in people and organisations that I have helped transform right in front of my eyes as they have choices and new strategies to help them live a more fulfilling and empowered life and become who they had always wanted to be. I am happy that I have been able to restore belief and confidence to many who have lost it, vision to those who can no longer see and cure many people of possibility blindness. I am enjoying the products of my dream and vision. Every day I think of the many people that I meet through my writing, speaking engagement, workshops and social medium forums and their stories of how I have impacted their leaves positively. I am very thankful for the many opportunities that I have to make a difference in people’s lives. I am also thankful for the grace the Lord has given me to create awareness and raise funds for many charities since 2006 through running many marathons, skydiving, walking 100 km from London to Brighton and feeding the homeless through Dayo Olomu Foundation. The greatest lesson/s that life has taught me is that to be successful you must have trust God, have strong faith, have your own vision and define your goals. You must be hungry to achieve your dreams and a strong desire to succeed and back that desire with action. You must have absolute belief in yourself that you have what it takes to be successful and when setbacks or tragedies occur, do not give up; instead see them as opportunities for growth because success thrives on adversity. As the saying goes, “A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor.” Nothing worth gaining is gained without difficulty”. I must also add that you keep the right company and continue to build, expand and sustain a network of people who can support you to reach your goal. You must run your own race. It doesn’t matter what other people say about you. What is important is what you say to yourself. Be comfortable in your own skin. Be true to you. That’s a key source of happiness. I am not in completion with anyone but myself. My goal is to improve myself continuously. You must think big, start small and act now. The person determined to achieve maximum success learns the principle that progress is made one step at a time. A house is built a brick at a time. Every big accomplishment is a series of little accomplishments. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. However, completing a journey of a thousand miles requires only that you keep walking in the right direction!” My story isn’t unique – many others have realised their dreams just as I have. But it does go to show that you can achieve whatever you want to if you have a strong desire to succeed and backed that desire with action and self-belief. My story is all about turning dreams into reality. A speaker once said, “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” When I get to the end of my life, I want to know that my life counted for something, that long after I have left this world, somehow my impact lives on. I want to know that I have done all that I could to make this world a better place, by positively enhancing the lives of those around me and helping thousands, if not millions, to become who they desire to be and achieve what they thought was impossible. I want to know that I gave everything my best shot. I want it to be on record that I maximised my potential and stretched myself to the limit. Most importantly I want to know that I serve God and that I am a good husband and father who made a positive difference in the world. Finally, I think it will be nice if we can all do our little bit to make a difference and to use the catchphrase of Steve Jobs, “put a dent in the universe”. “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” (Desmond Tutu). Hence I dedicated my 55th birthday by running the marathon in one week to raise funds and create awareness for Prostate Cancer. I want to thank for the supported me by donating generously. You can still support me by donating at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dayoolomuat55 I am thankful to God for making it possible for me to witness this day. And the Lord who has started a great thing in me will see it to completion. He will never leave me nor forsake me as I move from success to significance.
The Group Chief Executive of Oando Group Jubril Adewale Tinubu has paid glowing tribute to billionaire businessman and oil tycoon Tunde Folawiyo on the occasion of his 66th birthday, describing him as a distinguished figure whose influence continues to resonate across Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape.
In a warm and reflective message, Tinubu celebrated Folawiyo not only as a respected elder but as a man whose enduring legacy cuts across business, culture, sports, and the arts. His words captured the deep admiration Folawiyo commands within elite circles and beyond.
“Happy birthday to a great Egbon, Tunde Folawiyo,” Tinubu wrote. “Your impact has touched many corners of our national story—from business to culture, sport, and the arts. As you mark another year, I celebrate all you have accomplished, and the grace and consistency with which you have done it.”
The Oando boss further offered prayers for continued strength and fulfilment, expressing hope that the years ahead would bring even greater accomplishments and sustained good health for the celebrated industrialist.
Folawiyo, a scion of one of Nigeria’s most prominent business families, has long maintained a commanding presence in the corporate world, while also nurturing interests that extend into philanthropy and the preservation of cultural heritage. His measured approach to leadership and quiet philanthropy have earned him widespread respect as a man of substance and refinement.
As he marks this significant milestone, tributes have continued to pour in from across the country’s business and social circles, affirming his status as one of Nigeria’s most influential and admired figures.
In the glittering world of high society and corporate influence, moments of genuine pride and admiration rarely go unnoticed. Such was the case when oil magnate and business leader Jubril Adewale Tinubu stepped into the spotlight to celebrate a milestone achievement by his wife, Bola Tinubu who was recently honoured at the prestigious ARISE 100 Women of Impact in Africa Awards.
The award ceremony, organised by the media powerhouse ARISE News, brought together some of Africa’s most accomplished and influential women—leaders whose contributions have left a remarkable imprint across business, governance, philanthropy, and social development. Among this distinguished league stood Mrs. Tinubu, whose recognition reflects years of quiet excellence, commitment, and purposeful impact.
For the energy tycoon, the moment was deeply personal. Known across the continent as the driving force behind the energy giant Oando Plc, the businessman is often celebrated for his boardroom brilliance and strategic leadership. Yet, beyond the corporate boardrooms and global energy deals, he was simply a proud husband applauding the achievements of the woman who stands beside him.
Taking to social media shortly after the ceremony, Tinubu shared a touching tribute that resonated with many who admire the couple. His message was simple but heartfelt, capturing the essence of admiration and partnership. Referring to the moment as a “proud husband moment,” he congratulated his wife on the prestigious honour and praised the significance of the recognition.
The ARISE Women of Impact Awards have increasingly become one of the continent’s most respected platforms for celebrating female excellence. The initiative highlights women whose work continues to shape industries, inspire communities, and redefine leadership across Africa. For the woman , being counted among this elite group places her firmly within a circle of changemakers whose influence transcends titles and accolades.
Observers at the event noted that her recognition was not merely ceremonial but well deserved. Over the years, she has cultivated a reputation for grace, professionalism, and dedication to meaningful causes—qualities that have earned her admiration within Nigeria’s social and professional circles.
For those who know the Tinubus, the public celebration was hardly surprising. The couple has long embodied a partnership built on mutual respect, shared ambition, and unwavering support for each other’s pursuits. While Tinubu continues to command attention in the energy sector, his wife has quietly carved out her own path of distinction.
The quiet, steady influence of a woman who commands respect without seeking the spotlight shone brightly on that memorable evening reminding many that true influence often speaks in the calmest of voices.
Beyond her professional accomplishments and social standing, the intelligent lawyer nine years ago, translated her deep concern for child protection into action with the launch of the Cece Yara Foundation, an organisation dedicated to protecting children from abuse and giving young victims a safe platform to speak out against injustice.
Over the years, the foundation has become a powerful voice in the fight against child abuse in Nigeria, offering support, counselling and advocacy for vulnerable children. Through its initiatives, many young victims have found both protection and hope.
Through these initiatives, she has continued to demonstrate that her influence goes far beyond society circles. Her commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society has made her not only a respected figure in elite circles but also a beacon of hope for countless children and families across the country.
In a society where achievements are often measured in grand gestures and headlines, moments like this serve as a reminder that recognition carries deeper meaning when it is celebrated by those closest to us.
For the GCEO of Oando Group, the award was not just another accolade on the social calendar—it was a powerful reminder that behind every remarkable woman is a story of dedication, resilience, and a partner proud enough to celebrate her success before the world.