“There
are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The
other is as though everything is a miracle.” ― Albert Einstein
I woke up today to the miracle of breasting the golden tape.
It has been a dramatic race shaped by God, people and events. I have crossed
many paths and in the process, crossed the path of so many people who have
greatly helped my race. The journey has taken me from primary school to the
university and through the ranks of journalism/communication profession. Apart
from the huge gratitude to God Almighty, I also want to use the day to
acknowledge/appreciate those people our paths have crossed in the race of the
last fifty years
Right from my first day at United Anglican Primary
School, Ekan Meje, Oke Ero Local Government of Kwara State in 1973, I can still
remember Amos Oludare, Segun Olajide, Ezekiel Olayemi, Thomas Adekeye, Victor
Alao and the rest. At Fatima College, also at Ekan Meje, some of them include
Jide Ogunsola, Patrick Dawodu, Anthony Bamigboye, Femi Abidoye, Oye Raphael,
Tony Ashaolu, Tobi Osinowo, Kayode Ajibola, Michael Olajire Ipe, Simeon Abiodun
Kolawole, etc
After I moved to Igbobi College Lagos, for my HSC, I
met Chris Kehinde Nwandu, CKN, Kayode Jackson, Seun Anifowose, Fashola (can’t
remember the first name) Segun Osinaike and the rest.
At the University of Lagos, the long list include
Ademola Olajire, Abiodun Enayon, Kingsley Johnson, Grace Awodu, Tola Fashoro,
Bola Olawuyi, Ose Osamendan, Salami Shuiabu, Femi Akorede, Biodun Bayo, Simon
Kolawole, Waziri Adio, Gbenga Olawepo, Sylvester Odion-Akhaine, Ola Abiola,
Segun Mayegun, Kenneth Nwachukwu, Emman Onyeche, Silas Abayomi, Kunle
Akinjogbin, Femi Owoeye, Doyin Adewunmi, Temitope Jinadu , Agboola Alphonso, Bolaji Abdulahi and numerous others
My taste of journalism at Business Today Newspaper
brought me in contact with Ted Iwere, Edem Vindah, Doifie Ola etc, before I moved to The News
Magazine at inception in 1993. The Journey at The News at Osolo way, Oshodi
brought my path across that of Dapo Olorunyomi, Bayo Onanuga, Seye Kehinde,
Idowu Obasa, Ayo Arowolo, Muyiwa Adekeye, Jenkins Alumona, Akin Adesokan,
Ebenezer Obadare, Semiu Salami, Peju Sanni, Biodun Fagunjade, Simon Kolawole,
Demola Olajire and other members of that great team.
At Financial Standand, Ayo Arowolo came my way again,
just like Simon Kolawole, Yemi Ajayi, Uche Chris and Haniel Ukpakure. When I
moved with Simon Kolawole to The Week Magazine in 2001, my path crossed that of
Clement Okitikpi, Laurence Ani, Dayo Thomas, Gregory Nwaknuor, Anayo Okorie,
Alex Ogundadegbe, Ismaila Adebowale, Femi Kolawole, Deji Ademigbuji. Others
include Adeola Yusuf, Anietie Ekong,
Kunle Olafioye, Olawale Abideen, Jude Atupulazi, Aliyu Askira, Nneka Okoli,
Tola Odusote, Nta Daniel, Faith Akagha etc
The journey to The Source brought my way across that of
Dame Comfort Obi, Igho Akeregha, Yakubu Yusuf,Bayo Bernard, Osas Ogbonwan,
Stephen Ubana, Marcel Okoro, etc.
The Communication profession has also brought me in
contact with Adetokunbo Modupe, Charles Igbinidu, Joe Okonmah, Oladele
Olakunle, Onos Akusu, Kufre Ekanem, Patrick Olowokere, Emeka Aniukwu, Ifedayo
Adegbenro, Ify Odita, Abiodun Ayodeji, Tosin Tiodunmo. My media partners in the
Print, Broadcast and Online media are just too numerous to mention here
The membership of my professional groups has brought me
in contact with Olufunke Fadugba, Funke Egbemode, Baba Dantiye, Wahab Oba, Deji
Elumoye, Slyva Okereke, Femi Adesina, Angela Agoawike, Garba Shehu and others.
Above all, the journey has been very dramatic: my enrollment
in primary school; my admission to college; my admission to Unilag; my union
activism in the school; the attempt by Unilag to stop my Master’s degree
admission;my marriage and the coming of the twins – all dramatic stories still
waiting to be told.
Today is a day of gratitude – to God and to man. This
is my story; this is my song
Oluwasegun Abifarin26/11/2016
Media and Content Manager
TPT International
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