By Modupe Gbadeyanka
The Group Managing Director of CMC Connect (Perception Managers), Mr Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, rolled out drums on Saturday, December 24, 2022, to celebrate his 60th birthday in Lagos.
Mr Badejo-Okusanya is a public relations practitioner and President of the Africa Public Relations Association (APRA). He is the first African to be inducted into the prestigious International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) Hall of Fame.
At his birthday party held at the Grace Assembly Church, Oregun, Lagos, where he worships as an ordained pastor, several personalities from all walks of life were present to honour the man regarded as Nigeria’s PR guru. Also, he is an authority in the Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC) sector.
The event culminated on a high note as well-wishers poured glowing birthday messages on the celebrant while close family members delivered heart-warming goodwill messages on an electronic gadget via a large screen.
In his message, the officiating minister, Pastor Ighodalo, extolled the good nature of the celebrant, whom he describes as a man that lived his life for Christ. He admonished guests to continue to love God and humanity by doing good to their neighbours.
The resident pastor of the Grace Assembly, Pastor Femi Paul, described the celebrant as his loving brother, praising his late mother as a good woman who brought up good children, including himself as his adopted mother.
Pastor Paul called out some elderly group of women from the Nigerian Widows Association. The women danced out, praising the celebrant whom they described as their benefactor that has been caring for their needs for many years.
A group of children from the youth wing of the church also came out to sing for the celebrant while two of them stayed back to play beautiful birthday tunes with their violin and saxophone to the delight of all guests.
The old students of the celebrant’s alma mater, Igbobi College, also trooped out to sing their school anthem proudly in honour of Mr Badejo-Okusanya, who is the first Vice President of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA).
Notable among eminent personalities at the occasion were the CEO of Airtel Africa, Mr Segun Ogunsanya; Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke Ona Egbaland and his queens; Nigeria’s former Foreign Affairs Minister, General Ike Nwachukwu; former Lagos State PDP governorship aspirant, Mr Jimi Agbaje; Chairman Phillips Consulting, Mr Foluso Phillips; Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, who officiated the ceremony; Board Chairman of CMC Connect Limited, Mr Akin Opeodu; Executive Director, CMC Connect (Perception Managers) Mr Raheem Olabode; and the Director, Re-ignite Public Affairs Limited, Mr Tola Odusote.
Others were the Group CEO of RED Media Africa, Mr Adebola Williams; Chairman of The Troyka Group, Mr Biodun Shobanjo; one of the three owners of EKO Hospital, Mr Sunny Kuku; CEO of Sony Music, Mr Funlola Okunowo; former Managing Director of Sterling Bank Plc and former Board Member of CMC Connect Limited Mr Tunde Dabiri; and CEO of STB McCann, Sir Steve Omojafor; among others.
Adedapo Adesanya