It was glitz, glamour and panache as Senator Akinola Odunsi, a renowned advertising guru, co-founder of Rosabel Advertising, partner and pathfinder of many subsidiary companies in the Nigerian Integrated Marketing Communications Sector celebrated his 80th birthday Tuesday July 22 amidst pomp and pageantry.

A Night of Elegance and Grandeur

The 80th birthday soiree tagged “Akin Odunsi @ 80” held in the cosy ambience of Lagos Metropolitan Club in the high  brow Kofo Abayomi area of Victoria Island, Lagos.

It was replete with class, elegance and grandeur as it witnessed the gathering of the elite class of the Nigerian advertising professionals and the top notch coterie presence of Nigeria’s creme de la creme.

The occasion, full of colour and style, became a great mix as Nigeria’s advertising and political circles gathered to celebrate Senator Chief Kamardeen Akinola Babalola Odunsi, fondly called Akin Odunsi, generally respected in the Nigerian glamorous advertising sector as a man of impeccable character and professional integrity.

Memories, Tributes and Old Bonds Rekindled

The Metropolitan Club, venue of the unique occasion, came alive with laughter, heartfelt tributes and stories that melted hearts and stirred envy.

Also, with emotions and fond memories as old schoolmates, industry icons and family honoured a man described as the embodiment of integrity, trust and quiet mien with incomparable records of greatness and accomplishments.

Organised deliberately at the Metropolitan Club to recall the cherished days when men were boys, the celebration reunited the legendary ‘Three Musketeers’ who co-founded Rosabel Advertising and later built STB-McCann into an industry creative powerhouse.

These are the trio of; Sir Steve Bamidele Omojafor, Otunba Babatunde Adelaja and the celebrant himself, Chief Akin Odunsi, a renowned creative mind and client service superman in his hey days as an advertising practitioner.

The gathering drew generations of practitioners and other critical industry stakeholders and sub-sectors in a night of banters and admiration.

Not least on the list of major attendees are members of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria AAAN whose members came to pay tribute to one of their founding fathers.

The event was also attended by some members of Experiential Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), Media Independent Association of Nigeria (MIPAN), Outdoor Advertising Association of Nigeria (OAAN), Public Relations Consultants of Nigeria (PRCAN), Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) and Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) amongst others.

Testimonials Highlight a Life of Character

Emotions ran deep as friends and partners shared testimonials that painted Odunsi as a man whose life stands for diligence, humility, perseverance and faith in Nigeria’s unity and progress.

Each speaker’s words, though unique, echoed the same truth of a man described over and over as transparent, dependable and God-fearing.

Sir Steve Omojafor, former Chairman of Zenith Bank and an iconic advertising professional who himself will soon celebrate his 80th birthday, traced their partnership back to nearly 50 years at the University of Lagos and later at Rosabel Advertising.

He described Odunsi as an enigma, deeply honourable, reliable and fiercely committed to his word.

He recalled that despite the industry’s evolution, nothing ever broke the bond they shared as partners built on faith, contentment and mutual respect.

Another close friend, Otunba Tunde Adelaja, reflected warmly on Odunsi’s moral integrity and ethical standards.

In an emotional reflection, he  described the celebrant as a friend of almost 60 years, noting their shared history from high school to university, and later as co-founders of Rosabel Group alongside Sir Steve Bamidele Omojafor.

Adelaja described Odunsi as “forthright, disciplined, very professional,” and someone “you can read as a book.” He recalled Odunsi’s humility, down-to-earth nature, and God-fearing spirit.

He  highlighted Odunsi’s professional side, calling him very creative and talented, and shared how Odunsi, as Managing Director, drove the agency forward during their years together.

Adelaja praised Odunsi’s contributions beyond the agency, serving as Secretary and President of the Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria.

Finally, he  offered heartfelt prayers, wishing Odunsi good health and more years to enjoy life with his family, continuing his contributions to society and the nation.

Honours from Industry Icons

Advertising Amazon Olubunmi Oke, Founder and CEO of Ladybird Limited and past AAAN President, honoured Odunsi as a father figure who taught the industry that partnership, mutual respect and openness could endure decades.

She noted how the Rosabel and STB-McCann legacy shaped agency leadership, and how the industry must document such examples for future generations.

The evening’s high point came with the cutting of an elegant 80th birthday cake and the presentation of a giant portrait to the celebrant by, capturing the essence of a life well lived.

Celebrant Reflects with Humour and Wisdom

Nostalgia coloured the night as the celebrant himself, Senator Odunsi, ever humorous and witty, reflected warmly on seeing friends of over 40 years gathered under one roof.

With graceful modesty, he shared that living within his means, knowing his limits and valuing friendship were his secret to a fulfilled life.

He emphasised that true partnership must be rooted in understanding, contentment and the ability to put collective interest above self.

A Legacy Beyond Advertising

Senator Odunsi’s journey is itself a masterclass in purpose and grace.

After earning an MS in Advertising from the University of Illinois in 1973 and working in the US, he returned to Nigeria to lead Admark Advertising as its first Nigerian Chief Executive in 1976.

Two years later, he co-founded Rosabel Advertising, serving as Managing Director and later as Executive Chairman until his retirement in 2003.

Beyond advertising, he served as President of the then Association of Advertising Practitioners of Nigeria from 1989 to 1992 and later in the Seventh Senate representing Ogun West on the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria ACN.

The celebration was more than a birthday as it became a gathering of gratitude for a man whose life proves that honour, friendship and values still matter and whose story continues to inspire a new generation of Nigerian advertising professionals.

It was a night to remember and treasure for some years to come.

Words from MARKETING EDGE Founder

In his own tribute, Publisher/Founder of MARKETING EDGE PUBLICATIONS Ltd, Chief John. Ajayi said “Chief Akinola Odunsi’s great life story reads like poetry.

while his professional and career odyssey are full of great adventures, accomplishments and inspiring moments that deserve to be recorded in a book form sooner than later.”

Chief Asiwaju John Ajayi noted that in his over 35 years career as a journalist out of which he has devoted over two decades to brand journalism, he has known Chief Akinola Odunsi as a go-to media personality who will neither disrespect nor ignore media practitioners.

“For Chief Akin Odunsi, a good journalist is ever at home in his company. Ever cool, calm, cerebral, humorous and sometimes taciturn on sensitive industry matters that can ruffle the feathers or bruise other person’s ego.” Chief Odunsi is truly a great man,” Ajayi noted.

Dignitaries in Attendance

Dignitaries at the event include: former Governor of Ogun State, Segun Osoba, Lanre Adisa, president of the Association of Advertising Agencies of Nigeria (AAAN),

Seni Adetu, Founder/Group Executive Officer, First Primus West Africa Limited: Algorithm Media Nigeria Ltd. & Ogilvy Nigeria Ltd.,

Maureen Ngwu, Managing Director, Media Seal, Ayo Oluwatosin, Past President of Media Independent Practitioners of Nigeria (MIPAN), Lolu Akinwunmi, Group CEO, Prima Garnet Africa Nigeria amongst several others.

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