Today marks a significant milestone as Senator (Chief) Akin Babalola Kamar Odunsi, a revered figure whose influence spans Nigeria’s advertising and political landscapes, celebrates his 80th birthday.
A man of timeless grace, Chief Odunsi stands as a beacon whose life has illuminated the path for countless others, lifting them towards their own destinies.
Among the countless beneficiaries of his profound impact is the former staff, Rosabel Advertising & Starcom Media, and currently MD/CEO of Rayan Media LTD, Latifah Adunola Lawal, who credits her professional foundation to her time at Rosabel Advertising, an institution co-founded and meticulously built by Chief Odunsi.
She described him as a mentor, a father, and a nation-builder.
“Chief Odunsi’s life stands as a testament to the power of vision, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to human potential.
“I was one of the fortunate ones. Fresh out of NYSC camp, I found myself in the hallowed corridors of Rosabel Advertising, the institution he co-founded and built with vision, discipline, and unmatched brilliance.
“Even though I didn’t work with him directly, being part of the organization he built changed the trajectory of my life,” Lawal recounts.
She pinpoints a pivotal moment during Chief Odunsi’s birthday and retirement speech.
“He spoke with such clarity and conviction about resilience, staying power, excellence, and building with purpose. Those words lit a fire in me — a determination to not just work, but to strive for excellence and to build my career with the same integrity and grit he embodied.”
Over the years, Chief Odunsi’s quiet strength and unyielding standards served as a continuous, indirect mentorship for Lawal.
“He taught me, by example, how to think strategically, act ethically, lead courageously, and to deeply believe in one’s craft.
“His life became an invaluable blueprint that shaped mine, even without him knowing he was mentoring me,” she explained.
As Chief Odunsi reaches this octogenarian milestone, Lawal speaks not only for herself but for a generation of professionals whose journeys were indelibly shaped by his guidance and inspiration.
“Because of him, I stand stronger, bolder, wiser, and still growing today,” she affirms, expressing a sentiment shared by many who have crossed paths with the advertising titan.
On this special occasion, profound gratitude is extended to Chief Odunsi for the doors he opened — both visible and unseen — the voices he nurtured, even from a distance, his unwavering belief in the power of people, potential, and purpose, his role as a compass, providing much-needed direction in a complex world.
He said, “At 80, Chief Odunsi’s enduring legacy is not merely defined by the successful institutions he established or the prominent positions he held. It resides most significantly in the lives he touched, the minds he shaped, and the hearts he inspired. Happy Birthday, Sir. Here’s to a life of extraordinary impact, still unfolding in brilliance.”
