Ajibola Ogunshola at 80

THERE is an air of momentous celebration and grateful reflection as Ajibola Ogunshola, the Emeritus Chairman of PUNCH, marks his 80th birthday today, July 14, 2024. In the past eight decades, Ogunshola, born on July 14, 1944, has transversed different spheres of life – academic, professional, management, and social – with remarkable success. Yet, he is still going strong, an invaluable repository of knowledge and a wealth of experience.

Born into the distinguished family of the late James Ogunsola (MBE) and the late Janet Alatede – reputed as the second wealthiest Ibadan woman then – in Ibadan, Oyo State, his academic journey started at Beiyerunka before attending the Government College, Ibadan, where he completed secondary and higher school in 1964. With eight distinctions in the West African School Certificate examinations in science and art subjects, Ogunshola’s results were spectacularly outstanding.

He continued his trajectory of excellence at the University of Ibadan with a Bachelor of Science in mathematics in 1967. That took him to the United Kingdom for professional studies in actuary in 1967. Notably, Ogunshola qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries of England in 1973.

Upon his return, he took up an appointment as the first head of the Life Department of the National Insurance Corporation of Nigeria. His sterling academic and professional background elevated (him) to top positions in the mathematical management of financial risks in insurance, pensions, and institutional investment.

As of 1984, Ogunshola had become the Managing Director of Niger Insurance Company (now plc).

Yet, fate had other things in store for him.

In 1987, the course of his career changed forever – but it was for good. Between 1984 and 1987, his maternal brothers, Olu Aboderin, the founder of PUNCH, and his successor, Moyo Aboderin, died. Ogunshola was then appointed the Board Chairman of the organisation.

He is a stickler for excellence, which shows how PUNCH was managed in his time and even now. Through his business acumen, he turned around the fortunes of the company and PUNCH became Nigeria’s leading newspaper by a mile under his tutelage. He would serve as Chairman of the PUNCH Board for 24 years – from 1987 to 2011. He remained on the board after relinquishing the position of chairman, providing invaluable advice to the running of the newspaper.

During his tenure, Ogunshola won many awards. He was elected the president of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria from October 2007 to his retirement in April 2011. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations and a member of the Governing Council of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (1999-2002).

Ogunshola once encapsulated his view on success this way: “So, the first thing, the primary thing, is hard work but it should be focused hard work, after all, a labourer who cuts grass from 7 am till 7 pm, four, five days a week is working very hard.

“So, if you work hard, you should also use the brains along with it. You should constantly question whether you can improve on what you are doing and if you can improve on it, and even if you think you cannot improve on it, you can ask yourself whether you can improve your own life.”

He was also a Fellow of the Institute of Directors, a member of the board of directors of the News Agency of Nigeria (2009-2011); and a member of the Advertising Practitioners’ Council of Nigeria (2008-2009). He received the Rotary International District 9110 Distinguished Award for Service to Humanity in June 2013.

In national political life, Ogunshola gained greater recognition asPUNCH became a force to be reckoned with in Nigeria. In 2014, the then-President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him as a delegate representing the South-West in the National Political Conference. Jonathan had appointed him as a member of the Federal Government panel on election violence and civil disturbances after the fractious 2011 general elections in Nigeria.

Ogunshola is fulfilled in his private life. He is married to Iyabo, who hails from the eminent Okurinboye family of Owo in Ondo State. This was in August 1969. Iyabo is also well educated and accomplished as she holds a B.A. degree in English, and a post-graduate diploma in public administration and was Managing Director of Dewey and Company Ltd. Their union produced four children – a female and three males.

Socially, Ogunshola is a member of the Oluyole Club of Lagos (consisting of Ibadan elitesresident in Lagos); Island Club; Ikoyi Club 1938, and Metropolitan Club of Victoria Island in Lagos.

His transition from insurance to the media world is a testament to the enduring qualities of his life, and he was honoured with the chieftaincy title of ‘Baaroyin Ibadan’ in February 1990. The Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, conferred on him an honorary Doctor of Science degree in Management in 2006 to go with the December 2012 Special Media Industry Award for “commendable management of a media organisation” by the Trustees of the Nigeria Media Merit Awards.

Ogunshola recognises the inputs of others who made him succeed as the Chairman of PUNCH. These include the late Moyo Aboderin, the late Lekan Are, Lola Ibi Aboderin, the late Wale Aboderin (all directors of the company), and Ademola Osinubi, the Emeritus Managing Director of the organisation.

As he celebrates 80 years on earth today, Ajibola Ogunshola deserves all the accolades he would get from all over the world.