Africa Day Gave Us a Gift || By Hashimu Adamu

Every May 25, we remember Africa’s journey; our struggles, triumphs, setbacks and hopes. And somehow, on this same day years ago, this continent quietly received a gift. A son with a rare blend of intellect, humility, wit and heart. Someone who would go on to embody the values we speak of in declarations and communiqués: unity, purpose, and service.

There are people whose lives are so intuitively aligned with purpose that you begin to suspect their birth date carries more than sentimental weight. These are people whose birthdays we not only mark politely but pause to truly celebrate.  Mr. ’Dapo Oyewole falls firmly into this category. And fittingly so, not just because he was born on Africa Day, but because he is, in many ways, what Africa Day is all about.

To reduce Mr. Oyewole to his résumé would be to miss the quiet brilliance of the man. Yes, the degrees are impressive — London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), among others. The institutions too: from the civil society to the private sector and then the government. But his true distinction lies not in the roles or offices he has held, but in how he has held each and every single one of them, with depth, decency, and deliberate grace.

Before working closely with him over the years, I have had the privilege of knowing him circa 2021 thanks to the Nigerian Prize for Leadership (NPL) and the Legislative Mentorship Initiative founded by Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, CFR and one of the many things I have come to understand is that Mr. Oyewole does not only “work” in public service. He embodies it. He often says that he’s more of the servant than the public because to him, people matter— especially the young people.

You would think someone so deeply embedded in government and diplomatic affairs would grow distant from the concerns of ‘‘ordinary’’ citizens. Not Mr. ’Dapo. He doesn’t just “believe” in young people; he works, every single day, to give them a shot. He makes the calls, opens the doors, writes the recommendations, and gives honest feedback. Sometimes firm, always fair. 

To many, he’s more than a boss or a mentor. He’s an older brother. An uncle. A father figure. He knows when to challenge you and when to just listen. He knows when you need direction, and when you simply need someone to believe in you, even when you’re doubting yourself. In a world full of transactional relationships, his presence feels steady, reliable and rare.

People often say leadership is lonely. That may be true. But somehow, Mr. Oyewole makes space for everyone around him, while carrying the weight of his own responsibilities with grace. He is the man who remembers birthdays, checks in when you’re quiet, celebrates your wins, and gently nudges you to aim higher. And yes, he does all this while managing national priorities and international corporations.

And so, as Africa marks another Africa Day, we are not only commemorating a continent’s journey, we are also celebrating one of its finest sons; Mr. ’Dapo Oyewole. For those of us who know him, who have learned under his leadership, laughed at his humour, benefitted from his generosity, we know that Mr. ’Dapo Oyewole is a gift, not only to Remo, or Nigeria but to our beloved Africa.

So here’s to a man who continues to give, to teach, to guide, and to uplift. Happy Birthday, Sir. May this new year bring you joy in abundance, strength renewed, and the quiet satisfaction of knowing that you are making a difference, one life, one idea, one open door at a time.

Hashimu Adamu writes from Abuja, Nigeria.