A couple of days in the past, somebody requested me to call the highest 5 most influential mentors in my life. With out hesitation, I discussed Sir Okay as one in every of them. One trait that every one my mentors share is an admirable work ethic. They prioritise exhausting work and dedication over privileges, connections, and recognition. Sir Okay, particularly, sees exhausting work because the true measure of 1’s character. His journey from Shomolu to the boardroom resonates deeply with my very own from Surulere. I’ve been lucky to be taught from his wealth of knowledge.
His work as an govt director on the Sahara Group has helped to place the multinational conglomerate as a market chief within the fossil and renewable energies trade. His influence is felt in Nigeria, the place he advises on the boards of a number of influential firms together with the biggest energy distribution enterprise and the biggest thermal plant within the area, serving thirty million properties and companies in Nigeria alone. He additionally believes in data sharing and routinely accepts alternatives to share his expertise on energy-related points with trade leaders. Sir Okay has leveraged years of expertise in administration and enterprise diplomacy and his Harvard and Wharton levels to assist governments throughout Africa devise progressive options to the continent’s vitality issues. His contributions to the event of Nigeria’s modern economic system are inimitable, and he demonstrates his perception within the potential of our younger expertise by facilitating the employment of 1,000 engineers throughout completely different capabilities throughout his organisations.
Because the chair of our firm’s board of administrators, he demonstrated glorious interpersonal abilities and supplied unusual knowledge that helped us push our enterprise to new frontiers. He was all the time accessible for conferences, punctual with obligations, accessible to information in disaster, nurture in personal, and promote our trigger in public. When I’ve been at a crossroads in recent times, I’ve turned to him for his invaluable knowledge and his phrases have illuminated my path.
Once we started planning his sixtieth birthday, he made it clear that he wished a small and solemn celebration. It was sudden, particularly for a Nigerian man of his standing. Right here, it’s anticipated that at 60, a person ought to obtain tributes and praises that therapeutic massage his ego and exaggerate his achievements. However not Sir Okay. He stated, “I simply need folks to have a good time with family and friends. I would like them and me to have enjoyable. I would like it to be a enjoyable night time. It’s not about me or my ego. It’s only a night time to thank God who has made all of it attainable by feasting with pals.” Nicely, he isn’t profitable that battle however that’s his need and it exhibits the type of man he’s.
Sir Okay has a particular reward of seeing a seed and the tree it may possibly turn out to be. Many evenings, I’ve been invited to his dinner desk to interrupt bread with younger entrepreneurs, tech, finance, oil and fuel CEOs, comedians, and musicians; some upcoming, just a few established. He all the time surrounds himself with younger folks particularly these he may also help up the ladder.
At his birthday celebration, the play offered is by a younger group in his church. Once we extensively mentioned choices, we had many teams with a confirmed monitor document of delivering glorious performances. Sir Okay was emphatic that this group ought to do it. He stated, “I wish to give them an opportunity”. Trusting his discernment, I inspired the committee to allow them to audition, and if we have been unhappy, we’d make changes.
And boy, did they ship! After I watched the rehearsals, this little-known theatre amazed me, and, due to this nice man’s perception, they offered earlier than presidents, captains of trade and the excessive and mighty.
One shy to take centre stage, one not eager to compete with God, one who simply needs to be. I’ve walked into a number of rooms by his facet the place he insists I’m accorded the identical honour as he. He is a straightforward man who prefers subtlety to exhibits of energy.
I keep in mind one night he requested me to come back with him to an occasion the place he wished me to fulfill a president of a rustic. It was a last-minute choice and he hadn’t had the time to tell the organisers. On getting there, there was a little bit of chaos on the door due to the dearth of prior discover. The organisers pleaded that he be seated while they made lodging for me. He thanked them however refused to go in. He stood with me till preparations have been made to seat me.
This was a humbling and academic expertise for me. An indication of the type of consideration that has made him a buddy to presidents. You’ll be hard-pressed to discover a picture of him with a worldwide chief anyplace on the web, aside from the uncommon events when official duties necessitate. However Sir Okay is a trusted advisor to many international leaders and captains of trade as a result of he has earned their belief, confirmed his capability and proven discretion.
I do know this can upset Sir Okay, however I really feel the event calls for that I break the strict coverage of silence he has about his philanthropy and speak about a number of the some ways he has given again to his group. His philanthropy encompasses infrastructural improvement, humanitarian work, training, entry to healthcare, innovation and mentorship. Sir Okay is a quiet doer, not involved with optics, solely influence. Hundreds of us are grateful beneficiaries of his limitless potential for charity.
Sir Kola Adesina is a gift father to his kids Oluwatimilehn, Oluwagbemisoke and Oluwafamimora, and an exemplary husband to Mosunmola, his spouse. His devotion to his household and religion is just rivalled by his dedication to company excellence. Sir Okay would all the time say, “Be nothing and God every little thing”. He by no means jokes along with his prayers at nightfall nor his vigils at daybreak and performs an lively function in his church. Not like many, he additionally worships at an area church and helps all their tasks. He believes that God is in every single place, however like Elijah, he hears God finest the place there’s much less noise. With nationwide honours to his title and international recognition, I couldn’t have requested for a greater mentor.
At this time, I thank Sir Kola Adesina for giving me unprecedented entry to be taught from his life, for utilizing his candle to gentle mine, and for holding my hand up as I climb the ladder of life. I doff my hat to a frontrunner, a buddy, a nation-builder, a mentor, and an exemplary husband and father.
Pleased birthday, sir and thanks!
