President of Africa Public Relations Association (APRA) and Nigeria’s Public Relations and Integrated Marketing Communications guru, Yomi Badejo Okusanya ckocked 60 years of age on December 24, 2022.
Okusanya, who is the Group Managing Director of CMC Connect (Perception Managers), and the first African to be inducted into the prestigious International Communications Consultancy Organisation (ICCO) Hall of Fame celebrated the milestone with a thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Grace Assembly Church, Oregun, where he worships as ordained pastor.
Present to felicitate with the celebrant were family and friends, close associates, industry colleagues, Royal fathers, business partners and well-wishers.
Notable among eminent personalities at the occasion are the CEO of Airtel Africa, Dr Segun Ogunsanya; Oba Adedapo Tejuoso, the Osile of Oke Ona Egbaland and his three delectable Oloris; Nigeria’s former Foreign Affairs Minister General Ike Nwachukwu; former Lagos State PDP governorship aspirant, Mr. Jimi Agbaje; Chairman Phillips Consulting, Mr. Foluso Phillips; Senior Pastor of Trinity House, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo who officiated the ceremony; Board Chairman of CMC Connect Limited, Mr. Akin Opeodu; Executive Director, CMC Connect (Perception Managers) Mr. Raheem Olabode; and the Director, Re-ignite Public Affairs Limited, Mr. Tola Odusote, and the Group CEO of RED Media Africa, Adebola Williams.
Other industry chiefs at the event are Chairman, of The Troyka Group, Mr. Biodun Shobanjo; one of the three owners of EKO Hospital, Dr. Sunny Kuku; CEO of Sony Music, Chief Funlola Okunowo; former Managing Director of Sterling Bank Plc and former Board Member of CMC Connect Limited Mr. Tunde Dabiri; CEO of STB McCann Sir Steve Omojafor, and a host of other dignitaries too numerous to mention.
Hordes of well-wishers poured glowing encomiums on the celebrator, while close family members rendered heart-warming goodwill messages via large screen.
In his message, the officiating minister, Pastor Ighodalo, extolled Badejo-Okusanya’s good nature whom he described as a man that lived his life for Christ. He admonished guests to continue to love God and humanity by doing good to their neighbours.
The resident pastor of the Grace Assembly, Pastor Femi Paul, described Yomi Badejo-Okusanya as his loving brother. He praised Yomi’s late mother for bringing up such a jewel adding that as a good woman, she brought up good children including himself, as his adopted mother.
Pastor Paul called out some elderly group of women from the Nigerian Widows Association. The women danced out praising the celebrator, whom they described as a benefactor, who has been caring for their needs for many years. A group of children from the youth wing of the church also came out to sing for the birthday boy, while two of them stayed back to play beautiful birthday tunes with their violin and saxophone to guest’s delight.
The old students of the celebrant’s Alma Mater; Igbobi College, also trooped out to sing their school anthem proudly in honour of Mr Badejo-Okusanya, who is the first Vice President of the Igbobi College Old Boys Association (ICOBA).
It was a glorious day for Mr. Yomi Badejo-Okusanya, a proud Ijebu son from the Ijebu Imodi area of Ogun state.