By O’tega Ogra
I have thought about what to write today, and the more I think about it, the more I realise that telling the story of the man I have come to know means remembering some of the journey we have shared.
When I think of you, my mind goes to the conversations, the laughter, the arguments, the long days that became even longer nights, the plans you made, the things you got right and the lessons we learnt along the way.
Most importantly, I think about how much you have grown.
I remember the young businessman I knew in the late 2010s, ambitious, full of ideas and determined to build something meaningful. I have watched that young man evolve into someone whose life and work increasingly revolve around creating opportunities for others.
And I don’t think I have told you often enough how much I respect that journey.
One period of our friendship I will never forget was the COVID-19 pandemic.
The world was frightened. Streets were empty. Families were locked indoors. Businesses had shut down, and people who depended on their daily earnings suddenly had nothing.
Yet, almost every day, we were out there.
We went into communities, packaging deliveries ourselves, delivered food and essential supplies, and worked with others to bring relief to families who desperately needed help. Through those efforts, we reached over 1.5 million people.
I remember the exhaustion, the uncertainty and the risks we took with our health and lives. We had families waiting at home, people worried about our safety, and every reason to remain indoors.
But there were people who needed us.
I remember the faces, the gratitude and the quiet satisfaction of knowing that somewhere, a family would sleep with one less worry.
Those days taught me something about you that no amount of public commentary ever could.
I saw your willingness to show up when it mattered. I saw how deeply you cared about people whose names you would probably never know.
And I have watched that same instinct grow into something remarkable.
Today, through the City Boy Movement and Relax, Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria (RTIFN), an idea that began with one man’s conviction has grown into what I consider two of Nigeria’s largest youth-focused political and governance advocacy platforms.
Together, their reach and grassroots organisation rival those of established political parties. In my assessment, their footprint exceeds that of at least two parties preparing to contest the 2027 elections.
All from the dream of one man.
Sometimes, I wonder whether you fully appreciate what you have started.
Across Nigeria, young people who may never meet you have found communities, friendships, opportunities and a sense of belonging through these platforms.
Through BATMEDICS, I have also watched your commitment to service extend into healthcare, helping people access medical attention they might otherwise have struggled to afford.
And there are countless other interventions, many of which will never make the news.
What began as the ambition of a young entrepreneur has become a growing commitment to advocacy, service and the welfare of others.
One thing you have always said has stayed with me: carrying everyone along, regardless of what separates us, is how we grow.
I have heard you say it repeatedly, including when circumstances made it difficult to practise.
You believe in people, sometimes even to your own disadvantage. You make room for those who disagree with you and remain willing to extend a hand where others might have walked away.
We have been through campaigns, difficult moments, disagreements and experiences that have tested our patience and convictions.
I have watched you navigate criticism, make mistakes, learn and continue growing. I have also seen the personal sacrifices that come with responsibilities few people fully understand.
And through it all, I have remained grateful for the friendship we share.
Chief S, as you mark another year today, I hope you find a moment, away from the noise, the expectations and the endless demands on your time, to appreciate just how far you have come.
I hope you remember the young man you once were, the dreams you carried, the people who believed in you and the many lives that have become part of your journey.
I hope you never lose that part of yourself that sees people before their circumstances, possibilities where others see obstacles, and reasons to build bridges where others would rather draw lines.
Above all, I pray that the years ahead are kinder to you than the years behind. That God grants you the wisdom to know what truly matters, the courage to remain true to your convictions and the grace to carry the responsibilities that come with your journey.
May you never become so consumed with giving to others that you forget to live, to laugh, to rest and to enjoy the beautiful family and friendships God has blessed you with.
May your children grow up not simply knowing the name you bear, but understanding the values you lived by, the sacrifices you made and the lives you touched.
And may you always be surrounded by people who will stand beside you when there is nothing to gain, tell you the truth when it is difficult to hear, and love you simply because you are Seyi.
We have come a long way, my brother. From those early days of business and big dreams, through the uncertainty of COVID, the intensity of campaigns and the responsibilities of today, I have watched you grow. And I am grateful that life has allowed me to be part of that journey.
But perhaps what excites me most is knowing that, for all you have done, there is still so much more ahead.
My prayer is that when the story of your life is eventually told, the greatest part of it will not be about the name you inherited, the positions you occupied or the people you knew, but about the people you lifted, the doors you opened and the hope you gave to others.
Because, ultimately, that is what makes a life meaningful.
Happy birthday, Oluwaseyi Tinubu, KOB, Okanlomo of Yoruba Land.
May your years be long, your purpose remain clear, your heart never grow weary of doing good, and may the love you have given to others find its way back to you a thousandfold.
God bless you, my brother. I am proud of you, and I am even more grateful to call you my friend.
With love, respect and brotherhood,
