Former Ogun State Governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Chief Olusegun Osoba turned 87 today, July 15, 2026. President Bola Tinubu, a longtime friend and political ally, released a personal tribute celebrating their bond and shared vision for Nigeria.
President Tinubu's Birthday Tribute to Aremo Chief Olusegun Osoba
In a statement titled "A Brother in Purpose," President Tinubu described Osoba as a man whose "first instinct is always to serve." Tinubu noted that their friendship spans decades, allowing them to "easily write a book about one another." He highlighted Osoba's hearty laughter, stern focus, and depth in decision-making as familiar traits.
The president recalled how they entered public life from different paths but found common ground in the conviction that Nigeria could be governed with competence, respect for institutions, and an unyielding belief that citizens deserve better. "That idea carried us through challenging campaigns, late-night strategy sessions over hot pepper soup and spirited debates, and early mornings when we faced the press determined to speak the truth even when it was inconvenient," Tinubu wrote.
Shared Ideals and Journalism Roots
Tinubu emphasized that their shared ideals—federalism that works, a free but responsible press, and accessible leaders—are simple but not always easy to live. He praised Osoba for embodying these ideals first as a journalist and later as a politician and leader. "I watched how he treated young reporters — never with condescension, always with a correction and a story to go with it. He would take a bad headline, mark it in red, and then ask, 'But what is the human angle here? Who is affected?'"
In strategy rooms focused on votes and victory, Osoba would remind colleagues about the newspaper vendor at CMS or the classroom teacher in Ijebu-Ode, Tinubu recounted. The president also noted Osoba's gift for sharing historical anecdotes about Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the old Western Region, and lessons from past mistakes, turning "panic into perspective."
Consistency and Character
Tinubu lauded Osoba's consistency in public and private life. "He will call to ask about your family before discussing your schedule. He will send a handwritten note, not out of necessity but because courtesy matters. He will firmly disagree with you, then walk with you to your car, because the argument is about the work and its outcome, not about the person," the president wrote.
On Osoba's birthday, Tinubu wished him health, more mornings to enjoy tea and read newspapers, and the joy of seeing their nurtured ideas take deeper root—"schools that work, roads that last, and a government that answers to its people." He concluded, "Aremo, thank you for being a brother in purpose. Thank you for the counsel, your laughter, and for the reminder that leadership without character is worthless."
Political Significance
Osoba, a journalist-turned-politician, served as Ogun State governor from 1999 to 2003 under the Alliance for Democracy and later joined the APC. He remains a influential figure in Nigerian politics and a close ally of President Tinubu. The tribute underscores the enduring political alliance between the two leaders, rooted in decades of shared struggle and mutual respect.
