President Bola Tinubu has sent birthday greetings to former Ogun state governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, reflecting on decades of shared struggle and ideals. In his tribute, Tinubu described Osoba as a brother united with him in purpose, noting that their bond has endured through difficult seasons.
Tinubu wrote that he's known Osoba for so long they could write a book about one another. "His hearty laughter when sharing a joke, his stern expression when focused, and his depth in moments of decision are all familiar to me," the president said.
The two men entered public service through different routes but found themselves pursuing the same vision, Tinubu explained. That vision centred on governing Nigeria with competence, respect for institutions, and a genuine commitment to the people's welfare.
This shared belief sustained them through gruelling campaigns, late-night planning sessions fuelled by hot pepper soup, spirited arguments, and early mornings spent defending uncomfortable truths to journalists. "Our shared ideals have never been complicated, though living them has not always been easy," Tinubu said.
They believe in working federalism, a responsible free press, and leaders who remain accessible to ordinary citizens rather than hiding behind convoys. Osoba embodied these principles first as a journalist, then as a politician and administrator, according to Tinubu.
The president recalled how Osoba treated junior reporters with respect rather than arrogance, offering corrections paired with instructive stories. He would mark poor headlines in red, then ask the critical question: "But what is the human angle here?"
Even in strategy meetings obsessed with votes and power, Osoba grounded discussions in reality. He'd remind colleagues about the newspaper vendor at CMS or a classroom teacher in Ijebu-Ode, keeping them focused on who their work actually affected.
Their journey together has survived storms, Tinubu acknowledged. There were moments when the path seemed unclear and the personal cost of persisting appeared too high.
During those dark periods, Osoba's calm presence steadied the ship. He possessed a gift for sharing historical anecdotes about Chief Awolowo, the old Western Region, and lessons learned from past mistakes.
"Those anecdotes turn panic into perspective," Tinubu said.
What impressed Tinubu most was Osoba's consistency across public and private settings. He remains fundamentally unchanged whether in a boardroom or behind closed doors.
Osoba enquires about your family before discussing schedules, sends handwritten notes because courtesy matters, and disagrees firmly while maintaining respect. "The argument is about the work and its outcome, not about the person," Tinubu concluded.
