By Ayeni Adekunle
- One of the few good men around. We had ‘unplanned’ lunch recently at Terra Kulture, discussed business and politics, then we set Jahman up to finally receive his NET Honours awards from #NECLive3.
Too fitting to have had Chris Ihidero and Tolu Ogunlesi – two of my favorite people ever – do the Honours.
Of course they were joined by two men I respect and admire Colin Udoh and Seyi Taylor.
Thanks to Tope Horpload for the photos!
- During lunch with Jahman and co, we talked briefly about Jesse Oguns (whom I would later meet that day, at the New Media Conference) and Tosin Ajibade (more popularly known as Olori Supergal).
Today is not the day to share Tosin’s story. For now, let’s just say I find what she’s doing with – and to- her life quite inspiring.
I meet many young people on the daily, with no idea what to do with their lives. Smart young people who are confused and distracted and understandably disgruntled. I meet many young people who are otherwise smart and brilliant yet struggling to put themselves together and reach for greatness.
People like Tosin make it easier to make them believe #Itispossible.
And she’s just even starting.
- I still hate awards. But I love Toni Kan
I’ve been turning down awards for as long as I can remember.
I have nothing against celebrations and decorations. But I am of the opinion that Nigerians celebrate a lot of what would ordinarily pass as mediocrity.
I hold a belief: too many awards and medals have ruined several brands and careers that otherwise may still have been around today. Think of the 90s and 2000s super banks. Think of the stars of yesteryears. Think of all the big brands and their MDs and all the accolades – then think of the crumbling that followed.
So while one is still building and dreaming, it has been my way to avoid any event that suggests ‘washing.’ I’ve not come all the way from Okokomaiko, working since 1995, only to get here and be distracted by some plaques and praises suggesting I’m close to being the best in my field – when I’ve not even started!
But, just as my friend Abisoye Fagade, Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and co embarrassed me with a surprise birthday gig three years ago, Toni Kan and his team set a trap for me last week and I walked into it.
I became a writer by reading. And Toni Kan is one of those who shaped my early writing. It’s possible I’ve written everything he’s ever written, but we didn’t become friends until recently. I can’t even remember how it happened.
But I remember clearly now, how he offered to postpone the anniversary celebration for SabiNews because I was away in London. I remember how he called to request I attend the event with my wife. I remember how he asked – almost frantically – if I was cancelling, when I called hours to the dinner on Friday May 22.
How come it didn’t occur to me that maybe this man was up to no good?
You can’t imagine how much I wanted to disappear from that room when he and his partner Peju Akande sandwiched me and opened a plaque with my name on it. ‘SabiNews Man of the year‘.
Of course I don’t think it’s a honour well deserved. And I am, of course, still embarrassed!