By Issa Mutolib Ayobami
October 21th, 2024
Tall and dark. Handsomely straight. Dark and giantly built. Well chiseled smile (the very best you can find around here) and jovial. Light hearted and cheerful. These are the first things you would notice about this man, but those attributes are the least fancy things about his personality.
When it comes to family and friends, he is the most dependable person you can come across. Even when you least expect, he shows up for you like a sun in the middle of the night, to bring rays of hope, love, and succor. When you need a true companion, he walks the path with you, shares in your pain, and provides soothing words and energy.
Politically, he is clear-headed, a man of conviction who sticks to his guns whenever he believes in a cause, and this is what I have to tell him, “Hakeem, we’ve stood alone before. Today, we’re standing alone. Tomorrow, if need be, we still won’t be afraid of standing alone. Our conviction won’t waver, it’s a journey and we believe in you, our torch bearer. We march on!”
Philanthropically, he isn’t one who gives room for jamboree. He believes in real impact, and that’s why education is his biggest investment – – mostly full scholarships for indigent students, which are verifiable in institutions like University of Ilorin, Pan African College of Education, Ibrahim Adewale College of Health Sciences, among others.
When it comes to mentoring young people, I’m a testament to what he has done for many young people, myself inclusive. He creates time to discuss with them and share from his pool of experience, while charting a solution-based approach to knotty issues. Most importantly, he invests in their education, career, and overall success.
Today, as you celebrate your 50 years birth anniversary, I celebrate you for your resilience and steadfastness, and for never disappointing us. Most importantly, I celebrate you for your immense contributions to humanity. Thank you for all you do, dear Hakeem.
Thank you for believing in me, for empowering my mind, and for the right exposure. It’s half-a-century of being different, happy birthday Omo Laderin!
Issa Mutolib Ayobami popularly known as Megabyte is an Alumni of Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and the Accra Business School in Ghana. He is the Personal Assistant to Hakeem Lawal.