There are nights when an industry gathers not to celebrate success or debate ideas, but to confront silence. On this somber evening, leaders of Nigeria’s marketing communications community filed into a room heavy with memory, summoned by loss and united by respect. The name on every heart was Asiwaju John Tolulope Ajayi, late Editor-in-Chief, Founder and Publisher of MARKETING EDGE, whose passing on December 10, 2025, left a stillness that words struggled to fill.

Oladele Welcomes and Reflects

At the centre of the gathering stood Amos Oladele, Group Chief Operating Officer of MARKETING EDGE, carrying both the weight of leadership and the burden of personal loss. He welcomed regulators, agency heads, brand custodians, partners, colleagues, and members of Ajayi’s family, giving form to what many felt but could not yet say. He admitted that the Night of Tributes was an event no one imagined would arrive so soon.

He spoke directly and candidly, moving from disbelief to the quiet acceptance of reality. The  GCOO described how many wished the moment was unreal, a fleeting illusion that would end with Ajayi walking back into the room, just as he had done countless times before. Through his words, Oladele set a reflective tone, transforming the evening into a shared pause rather than a formal programme.

Grief Turns to Reflection

As the night progressed, grief gradually gave way to reflection. Oladele reminded guests that while the loss was painful, it also demanded humility before life and faith in God, whose authority over existence remains absolute. Therefore, the gathering became more than a farewell; it became a moment to examine the journey and legacy of a man whose life was defined by purpose and resolve.

Celebrating a Visionary Pioneer

He described Ajayi as a pioneer whose vision transformed MARKETING EDGE and its sister company, MEDIA EDGE, from bold ideas into influential platforms within Nigeria’s integrated marketing communications ecosystem.

“Through discipline, persistence, and an unyielding spirit, Ajayi built institutions that challenged complacency, demanded accountability, and sharpened industry thinking.”

Building Trusted Platforms

The media expert affirmed that, under Ajayi’s leadership, MARKETING EDGE Magazine, together with MARKETING EDGE Online and MARKETING EDGE ON TV, evolved into trusted platforms recognised for credibility and depth. According to him, today, they became reference points for practitioners seeking clarity, direction, and honest conversations about the business of marketing communication.

Moreover, Oladele highlighted Ajayi’s commitment to convening the industry through platforms such as the National Marketing Stakeholders Summit and the MARKETING EDGE Awards of Excellence, recently re-christened the EDGE Awards. Over the years, he mentioned, these gatherings grew into annual moments of convergence, drawing regulators, brand owners, agencies, and practitioners into dialogue and recognition.

A Legacy of Purpose and Integrity

Central to Ajayi’s philosophy, he emphasised, was the belief that marketing communication carried responsibility beyond promotion. “Ajayi consistently framed the discipline as one rooted in purpose, integrity, and service. He acted as a bridge between brands, agencies, regulators, and the media, while inspiring a new generation of professionals.”

Reaffirming Commitment to His Vision

Beyond remembrance, the Night of Tributes also carried a promise for the future. Oladele assured guests that MARKETING EDGE and MEDIA EDGE remain committed to sustaining, broadening, and strengthening the vision Ajayi championed for more than two decades. He confirmed that the organisation would continue innovating, expanding its platforms, and serving stakeholders with the same sense of duty that defined its late founder.

A Testament of Respect and Gratitude

Indeed, the strong presence of industry leaders and partners stood as silent testimony to the respect Ajayi earned over a lifetime of work. Their gathering spoke not just of loss, but of gratitude for a man whose influence reached far beyond print, broadcast, or digital platforms.

As the evening drew to a close, the mood remained reflective rather than final. Though Asiwaju John Ajayi is no longer physically present, his standards, convictions, and contributions remain woven into the fabric of the industry he helped shape. In remembering him, the industry affirmed a simple truth that, some voices do not fade. They continue to guide, challenge, and endure.