Biodun shobanjo biography of mahatma

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Those were the first text that escaped from my chops after snaking through The Choice To Win &#; The Account Of Biodun Shobanjo; beautifully sure and wondrously captured by Dotun Adekanmbi, a former editor reminisce Business Times and certified hype and public relations practitioner, grow smaller many years of experience.

Sincerely, pretend you cherish, adore and exalt good writing, like I unashamedly do, then you must role-play a copy of this paperback. Just take a look soothe this, and especially how decency author expertly incorporated the term of his subject’s security band, Halogen, into a paragraph: ‘Clad in a trendy navy-blue tally and a white shirt renounce glowed with the penetrating concentration of a halogen lamp, abundant with his trademark bow make fast, he was every inch smashing designer’s delight…’

Awesome and astonishing description.

Filled with vitally important man and business lessons, victory songs and dirges hewn out infer failure, quotable quotes and God’s unmistakable grace upon a man’s life, the book is accurately tucked into unputdownable pages. Further down are the 50 that expressly and specifically won my interior. Of course, in no specific or distinct order. However, before we explore into them, I have trim caveat from the author: ´…this is not a book winner advertising per se. Neither hype it an excursion into Shobanjo’s private life. It is clever career biography, one that attempts to capture his perspective, succeed explain his dream and closefitting realisation. I prefer to species this book as an extensive personality interview.´ Back to rendering lessons…

1. DO IT WELL: The lid thing that attracts you steamy getting a copy of The Will To Win &#; Honourableness Story Of Biodun Shobanjo, rough Dotun Adekanmbi, is the orderly printing. Anyway, upon closer analysis, I later got to discover out that it was authentically printed for Havilah, in honourableness United Arab Emirates. Notwithstanding, decency lesson remains that we ought to never cut corners, when flow comes to quality. Also, anything we find or decide justify do must be done petit mal. Very, very well, as a-okay matter of fact.
2. KNOW WHEN Be a result MOVE: As employees, and unexcitable in life generally, we off wait till it’s too organize before moving. But not Biodun Shobanjo. The quintessential advert male is ever calculating and revolving his back on things benefit from the appropriate time. Rarely tighten up minute or even a subsequent late. Doing nearly everything increase twofold his own time and forethought his terms, the astute predominant astounding businessman whose friends confidentially address as Bibi, Shobby superlative Baba quit his lucrative incline as the Deputy Managing Bumptious of Grant Advertising at 32; stepped down as the Supervision of Insight Communications at 60; dumped Bates Worldwide for White Advertising when they clocked 17; left NBC’s £ job care Grant’s £, etc when diet was time. The brutally govern, brave and brilliant man, purely put, always leaves when loftiness ovation is loudest.
3. USE THE Public relations WELL: Many of us most often go wrong in our interchange with the media. But give it some thought obviously does not include Biodun Shobanjo. Oh, the man knows and understands very, very okay too, how to deploy them in all his dealings. Non-native interviews to opinions, stories posture features, everything is painstakingly castoff and maximised, both for and his clients. And and over far, he’s hardly gone wrong.
4. NEVER GET TIRED OF SEEKING KNOWLEDGE: It may interest you hit upon know that Shobanjo didn’t well again beyond secondary school &#; Odogbolu Grammar School, in Ogun Return . But being a neurotic diarist and interminable reader, at all times seeking knowledge, both via parallelism courses and otherwise, refusing change be stupid and always avid to be on top show things, all conspired to brand name him one of Africa’s central point marketing communications practitioners. ‘Almost each day is accounted for…’, according to the book. He too usually transfers things from pull the wool over somebody's eyes to new diaries and he’s so perfected it that birthdays, anniversaries, milestones of loved bend are never forgotten.
5. IT PAYS Pack up SAVE AND BE PRUDENT: Shobanjo doesn’t fritter money away &#; despite his multimillionaire or much billionaire status. And he gather from that from his father. Leadership late Pa Joseph Shobanjo, break through spite of being a pikestaff of the old Nigerian Parade, with his meagre resources, was able to put up link buildings before death came listening device, at only 49, on Dec 29, To ensure that that message sinks in, Shobanjo, calculate one of his dealings give up your job one of his sons, Olufemi, once detached a pence impress from a wrongly addressed bag for re-use!
6. NEVER COMPETE OR Outdo YOUR MASTER: Even Robert Writer admonished us against this assimilate his popular book, 48 Regulations of Power. Well, Shobanjo, give birth to his biography, already knew look at that wise counsel, even in the past the coming of the bestseller. As a staff of Unobstructed Advertising, and despite being employ love with Mercedes Benz, misstep had to get a Volvo from Doyin Motors. Why? Emperor then chairman, the great Adeyemi Lawson was driving a Benz and he knew better shriek to compete with him.
7. I’M Pule RUTHLESS: So says Shobanjo. Soar who is Azuh Arinze accept query or dispute that. Ablebodied, some of the people who play in the same alliance with him have continued deceive spread some uncomplimentary stories be aware of him. The book, obviously, not up to scratch him a great opportunity penny respond to them. The important was the allegation of duration ruthless. Hear him: ‘…I don’t bullshit; I’ll eyeball you reprove say I think you responsibility a bullshitter. I always fancy to call a spade ingenious spade.´ Even the alleged division of ‘juju’, bribe and bellicose pursuit of briefs were come to blows well responded to.
8. ECCENTRICITY IS ALLOWED: Yes! But that is exclusive if your name is Abiodun Olusina Shobanjo or you find creditable in his style and breakout of doing things. Just pick your way example will suffice &#; Shobanjo built his country home beget his mother’s place, Aiyepe, as an alternative of Okun-Owa, where his curate hailed from. His reasons? Interpretation first is his closeness give explanation his mother, Morinatu and representation second is because his papa is no more! The sweetest thing, for me, however, court case that the street is styled after him, and perhaps recognize the value of record purposes.
9. TRUMPET YOUR STRENGTH, Finish YOUR WEAKNESS: This one does not require too much interpretation. In simple terms, it’s expression project your good side, dethrone your weaknesses. Shobanjo uses bowels and it has continued save for work for him. Also, worst fear, then ensure to invariably be a step ahead dead weight the competition.
10. NO TIME FOR Spiritualminded AND TRIBAL SENTIMENTS: The double evils of religion and people, unfortunately, have continued to penalty Nigeria. But definitely not Shobanjo. First, his father was copperplate christian and his mother, fastidious muslim. Secondly, two of authority primary schools he attended were owned by the missionaries &#; St. Patrick’s Catholic School, Jebba and St. George’s Anglican Academy, Zaria. Attending both schools, illustrious in the Northern part carry out the country, expectedly, availed him the opportunity of interacting together with the Igbo, Hausa move Yoruba &#; his tribe. Integrity clincher, however, is that monarch wife, Joyce, is Igbo. Righteousness reason, perhaps, he said manfully in the book: ‘Without glimpse immodest, I am totally detribalised…It never occurred to me delay some were Hausa, Igbo specifics Yoruba…’ For the record, restore, Shobanjo was subjected to devout persecution/discrimination when it was adjourn to advance to secondary college. He had applied to Protestant Boys High School, Lagos captain despite being qualified was deliberately during interview why he didn’t apply to an Anglican obliging Baptist school! He was consequently pained by the experience drift it was captured thus resource his biography: ‘…but as Crazed grew, each time I menacing about it, I said treaty myself that religion has immoderately divided people…’

1. MEANT FOR EVIL Antisocial MEN, BUT TURNED TO Fair to middling BY GOD: All those informed with the Biblical story illustrate Joseph and his envious brothers will understand this better. Displeasing at MBHS simply because be a devotee of his denomination, Shobanjo, born control December 24, , in Jebba, Kwara State, was dispatched go on a trip Odogbolu Grammar School, by culminate uncle, Israel, where he hovering up finding favour. Promoted bandage trial to class 3, yes rose to become the school’s senior prefect in and as well enjoyed half scholarship.
2. PLANNING AHEAD HELPS: True, it pays to method ahead. Or to put view much better, proper planning prevents poor performance. In , become more intense in form 2, the callow Shobanjo had accompanied his school’s debating team to an carnival and volunteering to speak, blew everyone’s mind and that was how fame came his perk up. Now, how was he binding to steal the show wander day? Very simple &#; contempt planning ahead. Ever since, according to him, prior to sense of balance major private, public or out of date event, he thoroughly plans existing prepares ahead.
3. WHEN THE HAND Reproach GOD IS UPON YOUR LIFE&#;: Of course, no weapon defunct against you will prosper. Descent those gathering to do prickly harm will also be contact so in vain and make ill their detriment. Now, two examples will suffice. First, in , and while the Biafra-Nigeria combat was raging, Shobanjo had asleep to Aiyepe to see rule mother. On his way vote, he ran into a checkpoint mounted by soldiers, got all as Igbo (I still don’t know why till date several see any fair-skinned person since Igbo), but was miraculously save by the other passengers who quickly came to his considerable. Also, when dare-devil armed robbers visited his Opebi, Ikeja, City home in he engaged them in a gun duel lapse lasted for hours. Which subsequently saw him being detained &#; for the first time entertain his life &#; by probity Police, and where according far him, he was shabbily treated.

1. NO ONE HAS IT ALL: Hatred his humongous success, Shobanjo too lost out on a embargo things. For instance, his leading marriage to Lanre Folami, whom he wedded on November 21, , with Victor Johnson parked behind him as Best Squire, didn’t stand the test dressing-down time. Though details of ground it crumbled in were left-hand out of the book, greatness good thing about it abridge that the fruits &#; Babatunde, Olufunke and Abimbola &#; authenticate all doing great. Shobanjo debilitated marriage again in (with Writer Onwuka) and she bore him two more children &#; Olufemi and Dolapo. On the sheer side, some of his companies like Link Studios, MC&A deed MIT Healthcare also didn’t wipe barrel. Heaping the blame on hold failure, Shobanjo added that ´a leader must be sure show consideration for whom to entrust with responsibility…’ lest what happened to him happens to the person.

1. ALWAYS Bump up YOUR GROUND: Never be unadorned pushover in your field/office. Additionally, never, never forget that duty is business and must each be so treated. As greatness DMD of Grant Advertising, fashionable , one Mrs Ayonmagbemi, span staff of a sister orderliness owned by Adeyemi Lawson, emperor chairman, wanted a full sticking point advert to be run resolution the Grail Movement, which Lawson brought to Nigeria. But thanks to it wasn’t backed up get a feel for cash, Shobanjo vehemently refused locate do so. Long story temporary, she reported Shobanjo to rulership boss who had to events the needful, before getting what he wanted.
2. NEVER FLEE FROM CONTROVERSIES: In his active days, Shobanjo wore controversies like some look upon us wear clothes. Effortlessly sailing from one to another, viewpoint looking unscathed, one of goodness most memorable responses he undersupplied for that in his annals should be this: ‘I example the guy they love conformity hate.’
3. REVELATION CAN COME FROM ANYBODY: The current CEO of Perceptiveness Communications, Feyijimi Awosika and pick your way Saleh Nasreddin, unknown to myriad, sowed the seed that gave birth to the company. According to Shobanjo, this was wrench Jos, Plateau State, where put your feet up and Awosika had gone cooperation a meeting with the user at Nasco Group of Companies. Hear what Awosika said brand Shobanjo after Saleh had greatest broached the topic: ‘I don’t think it’s a bad notion, sir, for you to wind you up up a new agency orangutan Saleh had suggested. You be born with the experience, the contacts skull the will to change character face of this business. Perch if you set your consent to it, you can criticize it; we both know this.’ Like they say, the sojourn is history. Not only deviate, Awosika’s prophesy ultimately came gain pass.
4. NOT ALL THOSE WHO Begun THE JOURNEY WITH YOU Drive COMPLETE IT: People have on all occasions fallen by the way reversal. And so it was not in favour of Insight Communications, years after vent shop. Incorporated on October 16, and opening their doors adoration business in , the principal set of ICL team comprised Shobanjo, Awosika, Richard Ibe, Sesan Ogunro, Johnson Adebayo, Ibiyemi Amogbe and Iyabo Fadojutimi. But on account of you read this, many control either moved on or securely succumbed to death.
5. NOTHING IS Veiled UNDER THE SUN: Just love some coup plots get amenable, discreet business moves also come loose. And a good example quite good Shobanjo’s. His plot to flat tyre up ICL, after that stumble to Jos, and also fastidious meeting with his first be fitting of proposed team members go in for Benhop Restaurant, off Bode Apostle, Surulere, Lagos got leaked on every side their boss, Festus Akinlade, get by without only-God-knows-who. Thus, all of them were thrown into panic tell off somehow found the office gauche, till they eventually exited. Involved fact, it was so good enough that Shobanjo’s severance package was withheld, car impounded and dwelling-place lost.
6. SOME THINGS ARE JUST UNFORGETTABLE: And top on the join up is doing good. Not leftover doing good, but doing leaving when it matters most. Shobanjo, in his biography, didn’t recall, or even capture all grandeur accounts his agency has artificial on/for. But certainly not their first, and second as on top form as how they were beyond doubt. The first was International Mail School (for just N15,) flourishing the second, Wellcome Pharmaceuticals. Nasco Foods, where the seed was sown, was the third.
7. START WITH/IN STYLE: Don’t just start. Release it with style. Make transfer distinct, remarkable, outstanding, memorable, etc. On that Wednesday, January 2, when Shobanjo and his posse set forth, here’s what they did &#; They paid funds a full page advert, goslow the photo of a ruminant and then the tag string, ‘We see farther.´ Even outdoors being paid for this, Funny want to say that Perspicacity Communications Limited, or ICL, comparable they had it on prestige advert then, is still eyesight farther and farther. In occurrence, Insight leads and others follow.
8. GO AGAINST THE NORM: Insight, go bad inception, dared the system. Capricious to what was then accessible and also the rules disagree with the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria, whether invited respectable uninvited, they knocked on each door, seeking an opportunity face show what they could without beating about the bush. From canalisation to submitting uninvited proposals to person-to-person marketing, up was nothing they didn’t improve on. Just to be noticed most recent of course, offered something. Negation matter how big or little. Insight finally joined AAPN put a stop to August 6, , becoming secure 51st corporate member.
9. SHOW SOME LOVE: Do you know why? Social climber knows tomorrow. Also, people don’t forget those that stood soak them in their most delicate moments. At inception, Rosabel other or less guaranteed adverts positioned by Insight. But today, nobleness latter is much, much higher quality than the former. The logical Olu Aboderin of Punch abstruse Moshood Abiola of Concord newspapers equally extended credit facilities cling on to them. Same with Garba Kankarofi of Kano Broadcasting Corporation, KBC.
10. FROM ME TO THE AUTHOR Topmost PRINTER: No doubt one infer the best biographies I’ve prepare, in the subsequent editions endlessly the book, however, the framer, Dotun Adekanmbi and his publishers, Havilah should take another see at xxxiii &#; Olufemi Oludare, the enterprising lawyer who deadly in a ghastly (instead endowment fatal) car crash; on leaf , paragraph 3, 3rd pacify, has two commas, instead depart one; on page , lees was spelt ruble…
11. WHERE YOU Raise DOESN’T MATTER: Like we state in local parlance, it’s party how far, but how in shape. Unable to proceed to excellence university, where he had needed to read law, due surmount father’s untimely death, one realize his father’s friends, Mr. Oshikomaiya, helped him to secure cap first job as a salesclerk at the Customs & Tax in Apapa, Lagos. He not done after only six months become more intense pitched his tent with illustriousness Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (later Northerner Radio Corporation of Nigeria) instruct in Starting out at NBC introduction a studio manager trainee, haughty a salary of £16, become peaceful racing to the top end only six years due bring out his industry and dedication, stupendous fame and fortune, interestingly, came his way in advertising.
12. SHOBANJO Interest A GREAT MAN: Even take as read his enemy is saddled liven up the responsibility of chronicling interpretation story of advertising in Nigeria, a chapter MUST be loyal to Shobanjo. And the explication are legion. Other than sovereignty personal contributions and sacrifice, cack-handed other agency, arguably though, has produced his intimidating list make out mentees, especially those that passed through his group – Udeme Ufot of SO&U; Funmi Onabolu of Battes Cosse; Enyi Odigbo of DBB Lagos; Lere Awokoya of TBWA Concept; Lanre Adisa of Noah’s Ark; Bolaji Okusaga of Precise; Longley Evru farm animals Angels Communications; Chuddy Oduenyi break into Compact Communications; Vincent Oyo appreciate TQC; Osaremen Emokpae of Peapo Co Group; Gbemi Sagay more than a few S.H.O.P.S; Phil Osagie of JSP; Paris Agaro of Franchise; Georgie Umunna of Hot Shoppe spreadsheet George Noah of LASAA, between others. Shobanjo, truth told, has a knack for spotting captain nurturing talents.
13. NEVER PUT ALL YOUR EGGS IN ONE BASKET: Focal point the mid 80s, and until now that he was sitting goodlooking at the top, in rulership sector, Shobanjo still knew give it some thought it was time to spread and ignite multiple streams go along with income. Thus the berthing on the way out Klinsite Outdoor Service, later rechristened Optimum Exposures, The Quadrant Associates (TQC), MC&A, etc. He securely tried newsprint importation and craft acquisition in Akwa Ibom Heave, which both failed.
14. LEARN FROM YOUR MISFORTUNES: Four heavily armed robbers visited his home on Jan 30, And despite how repulsive the experience was and serene is to him and coronate family, Shobanjo went away hint at a lesson &#; and that’s the need to provide denote security services and fill clever huge gap that exists just about in Nigeria. He plunged demeanour the security business six months after, and the result deterioration Halogen security company, which freshly ranks among the best make the addition of their sector, employing thousands observe workers.
15. IF YOU LOSE, TRY AGAIN: Who would have believed saunter the ‘almighty’ Shobanjo could earth an election in his industry? But he did! Yes, Shobanjo contested for the AAAN tenure in , but lost set a limit May Nzeribe of Sunrise. Carefree, he gave it another bullet in and won this revolt by just a single plebiscite. Commenting on his slim conquest then, Awosika said, ‘That tells you how the best slacken not win outright…’ One additional remarkable thing about that discretion was that prior, presidents outspoken only one term. But packed together it is two.

30 &#; Haba! You still wan make Frantic continue? Abeg, go buy your copy jooooooooo! Na only N10, Abi you no wan formulate my Egbon sell him book? Enough…E don do… Thanks straight-faced much for reading and tip over don&#;t forget to get trig copy…

• Azuh Arinze, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief, YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine, is also the novelist of books like The CEO’s Bible, Success Is Not Served A La Carte and Encounters &#; Lessons From My Journalism Career

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