As the stars align to celebrate a life of love, kindness and creativity, I reminisce about the incredible journey we’ve shared, dear brother.
Your 60th birthday is a testament to the boundless love and admiration that radiates from you, touching the lives of all who know you.
I recall the day you arrived, and I was just five years old – a curious and adoring big sister, eager to welcome you home. From that moment on, we’ve been inseparable, sharing laughter, tears, and countless memories. Imitating grandma, I remember carrying you on my back, a tiny bundle of joy, and the misadventure that ensued when you slipped from my grasp! That earned me dont-be-too-forward slaps from our no-nonsense mother. Though my carelessness could have sparked a rift, it only fueled the flames of love that have burned brighter with each passing year.
As you grew, so did our bond. I guided your tiny hands as you explored the world of art, and you blossomed into a master painter, filling canvases with vibrant colors and emotions. Your Creative Chambers has become a haven for fellow artists, a place where creativity knows no bounds.
And, as you discovered the magic of words, I read to you, and you devoured knowledge, becoming the accomplished journalist, editor, and publisher you are today.
Your career is a testament to the power of talent, hard work, and a dash of humility. You never sought employment; your qualities always sold you to employers. Your annual Arts exhibitions, hosted by the Leventis Foundation and other art appreciating organizations, showcased your creativity and caught the attention of the right people.
One such exhibition led to your breakthrough in journalism, when Mr Femi Kusa, the Editor-in-Chief of a national newspaper, The Comet, was impressed by your writing and offered you a job on the spot. Mr Femi Kusa read through the Introductory speech on your Arts Exhibitions booklet and fell in love with your style of writing.
Your writing career took off, and you became a star reporter, earning you offers from The Punch and The Sun newspapers. You chose The Sun, where you excelled as the head of the Crime Desk, before moving to The Compass Newspapers as Deputy Editor.
Your award-winning investigative story – The Queen of Glory remains an evergreen forerunner of many awards of excellence.
Dear Dipo, your brilliance and dedication also earned you another unsolicited offer, this time from Bi-Courtney, Barr. Wale Babalakin’s company, where you became the group spokesman and navigated the company through challenging times.
But you never forgot your first love – art. Your Creative Chambers Arts Gallery still attracts art collectors like sugar would an ant.
You finally decided to float your own publications, The Chief Detective magazine, NewsmakersNG, and A-One media, allowing you to balance your passion for writing and art.
Today, you flawlessly run your media establishments as a quintessential editor and an accomplished publisher, inspiring countless individuals with your story.
To celebrate this milestone, I’ve poured my heart into a special song, “Mr. Diamond”, a tribute to the incredible man you’ve become. I hope it touches your heart as much as you’ve touched mine.
Happy 60th birthday, dear Dipo! May this milestone be a testament to the incredible life you’ve lived and the many more adventures to come.
