Idris Katib
“Knowledge will forever govern ignorance”
— James Madison
Today, thirtieth of August twenty twenty-three, marks the celebration of a pathfinder, man of knowledge, wisdom and depth. His name is Olusegun Tolulope Akinniran, one in a million father, husband, brother ,friend, boss, leader, benefactor and bridge-builder. He is a custodian of knowledge who continues to seek and never gets tired of seeking even from those who only possess a drop of his well. This is humility in action.
Segun is a personification of OMOLUWABI in Yoruba parlance. The philosophy of Omoluwabi represents a wo(man) with complete character in Yoruba norms, mores and values. In that culture, an Omoluwabi represents a role model, father figure, paragon, icon, legend and the best example of humanity. He or she is a reference point in the community and by extension, the larger society . Segun is an Omoluwabi to the core.
Having known Segun for over three decades, yours sincerely can confirm the Omoluwabi status of this gentleman, classmate, brother, friend and benefactor. Without any doubt or contradictions, several other friends and associates will also confirm same status of this hero in other manners different from those penned in this tribute.
Segun is a personification of OMOLUWABI in Yoruba parlance. The philosophy of Omoluwabi represents a wo(man) with complete character in Yoruba norms, mores and values. In that culture, an Omoluwabi represents a role model, father figure, paragon, icon, legend and the best example of humanity. He or she is a reference point in the community and by extension, the larger society . Segun is an Omoluwabi to the core
Of the few, he is one of the foremost ambassadors of our prestigious Angus Memorial High School Old Students’ Association 1991 Set, which he led successfully for years without a bank account but on his integrity credit, connection and networking to benefit members. During his tenure as president, Segun would raise funds from other philanthropic friends to execute the Alumni projects. He would not do this alone but carry his executive committee members along. Customary of him, Segun Akinniran expends his ideas, time, sweat, blood and resources to propel the Association’s wheel of human progress.
A silent benefactor of projects, scholarships and support too numerous to catalog in this piece, Olusegun Akinniran is an unassuming giver of resources, knowledge and ideas.
Interestingly, he has consultants in all aspects of his life: health, education, management, human resources, spirituality, Public Relations and media to guide his path and purpose.This is strangely remarkable. He does not make decisions harshly or brashly. Despite his financial endowment and human resources at his disposal, he rationally consults experts, books, his modest sense of education and ultimately his Creator in taking those decisions.
Tapping from the words of the late sage, Obafemi Awolowo that “recognition of greatness in others is in itself an act of greatness”, Olusegun Akinniran is a talent hunter and scout who recognises and acknowledges greatness in others.This makes him to aptly recommend people of the right credentials to the right positions within his network. Personally, this writer has benefited a lot from his school of human kindness and resource management.
A modest leader, his achievements tower above his self-effacing, low-key personality. He is not loud but sound. As Group Managing Director of LightHill Group of Companies, which he founded a decade and a half ago, he never underrates an iota of ideas or contributions from anyone.No wonder, the 15th Anniversary of LightHill beautifully coincides with his golden jubilee this year.
Segun is religious but not a bigot.He bases his relationship on kindness and humanity rather than religious cultism or “parapoism”.This makes him value people’s expertise on their merits rather than on ethnic or religious sentiments.
Segun touches lives qualitatively, quantitatively and meaningfully. For instance, his role to his classmates during and after COVID-19 was stupendously supportive. Apart from joining hands with like minds to provide palliatives to the vulnerable and the needy, he went as far as dishing out palliative allowances to selected friends for one year and above. Although, he does not want this mentioned publicly, good deeds and prosperity are like flames, when you cover them, they spiral out to the open
A certified accountant of over two decades with enviable credentials from Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife, Akinniran is a master of corporate governance and boardroom management. He taps knowledge from all and sundry and compensates excellence in friends, staff and associates. He, in conjunction with Tayo Adesanya, another alumnus of high standing, recommended yours truly for the writing and packaging the constitution of the national Angus Memorial High School Old Students Association (AMHOSA) while also facilitating fees for service. As a leader, Segun believes that there’s no “I” in a team work. He recognises and welcomes inputs from every member of his team because he believes in the overall success of any project.
Segun touches lives qualitatively, quantitatively and meaningfully. For instance, his role to his classmates during and after COVID-19 was stupendously supportive. Apart from joining hands with like minds to provide palliatives to the vulnerable and the needy, he went as far as dishing out palliative allowances to selected friends for one year and above. Although, he does not want this mentioned publicly, good deeds and prosperity are like flames, when you cover them, they spiral out to the open.
In recognition of his numerous contributions to the development of AMHOSA, he bagged an award recognition at the 40th Anniversary of his Alma Mater tagged, “Together We Stand in Goals and Purpose”. Also, in recognition of his purposeful leadership, he was voted unopposed as Vice President (Europe) of AMHOSA in the last election of the association.
Distinguished alumni, friends, ladies and gentlemen, please give it up in a rousing and resounding applause for the Omoluwabi , Olusegun Tolulope Akinniran on his milestone of Golden Jubilee.
- Idris Katib,a Public Relations expert, lives in Abeokuta and can be reached at idris.katib@yahoo.com