Tokunbo Akinremi at 60: Celebrating Dozy, Media Guru and Freedom Light Media CEO

Tokunbo Akinremi at 60: Celebrating Dozy, Media Guru and Freedom Light Media a CEO

 

**By Akin Alade**

 

SIXTY YEARS OF GRACE, WISDOM AND IMPACT! Some people come into our lives as friends, others as colleagues, but a special few become family through the strength of their character, generosity of spirit and unforgettable memories they create. For me, Tokunbo Akinremi, fondly called Dozy, belongs to that exceptional category of men whose influence cannot be measured by material possessions or professional accomplishments alone.

 

As Tokunbo Akinremi, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Freedom Light Media, celebrates his 60th birthday, I find myself reflecting on a relationship that stretches back to our younger days, long before the responsibilities of adulthood, professional ambitions and the pursuit of success took us through different experiences.

 

To many people, Dozy is an accomplished media practitioner, a seasoned journalist, an entrepreneur and a respected figure in the outdoor advertising industry. To me, however, he is much more. He is my brother from another mother, a dependable friend, a mentor in many respects and a man whose friendship has remained a treasured part of my life’s journey.

 

I grew up knowing Tokunbo as a big brother. Even in those early years, there was something remarkable about his personality. He was friendly, accommodating, approachable and genuinely interested in the welfare of people around him. His home and heart were always open, and he possessed that uncommon ability to make everyone feel important, regardless of their social background or financial circumstances.

 

Dozy has never been a man who measures friendship by wealth, influence or status. His accommodating nature, humility and willingness to share whatever he has have always distinguished him. He is a lover of people, a bridge-builder and someone who understands that the greatest investment anyone can make is in human relationships.

 

As a proud son of Gbagura in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Tokunbo Akinremi represents a family tradition associated with intellectual engagement, communication and public enlightenment. His late father was also a seasoned journalist, a background that makes Dozy’s professional journey particularly meaningful. Journalism was not merely a profession he encountered; it was part of the legacy and environment that helped shape his understanding of society.

 

Following in the footsteps of a father who contributed to the journalism profession, Dozy developed his own identity in the media industry. He established himself as a knowledgeable media practitioner before extending his professional interests into outdoor advertising, another important segment of the communication and media business.

 

His journey demonstrates that the media industry offers opportunities beyond conventional reporting and publishing. From journalism to outdoor advertising, branding and strategic communication, his career reflects adaptability, entrepreneurial courage and an understanding of the changing demands of the business environment.

 

Today, as MD/CEO of Freedom Light Media, Tokunbo Akinremi continues to build on those years of professional experience. His transition into outdoor advertising is a reflection of a man who understands that success requires continuous learning, innovation and the courage to explore new opportunities.

 

But beyond his professional achievements, there is a particular chapter of our lives that I cannot forget, and that is our unforgettable stopover house at Iyana Ipaja, Lagos.

 

Whenever I remember those days, I smile with gratitude because they represent some of the most beautiful experiences of our youth. It was a modest accommodation, certainly not the kind of place anyone would describe as luxurious, yet it became a meeting point for friendship, intellectual discussions, youthful dreams and unforgettable brotherhood.

 

Imagine more than seven graduates sleeping in a small room, sharing limited space but carrying enormous dreams about what the future might hold. There was little concern about comfort because the spirit of togetherness was stronger than the inconveniences around us.

 

That small room at Iyana Ipaja was more than a place to sleep. It was our informal university, political discussion chamber, entertainment newsroom, economic think tank and centre of youthful imagination.

 

We would gather in the evenings and begin conversations that could move from Nigerian politics to entertainment, from journalism to business opportunities, and from the state of the economy to our personal ambitions. One discussion would lead to another, arguments would become intense, laughter would interrupt serious debates, and before anyone realised it, the clock would already be approaching 4 a.m.

 

Sometimes, we would discuss politics as though we were members of the Federal Executive Council. At other times, we would analyse the entertainment industry as though we were the people responsible for determining its future. Financial discussions were equally important because every young man in that room had dreams of becoming successful and making meaningful contributions to society.

 

Those were days when we had more ideas than money, more ambition than resources and more confidence in tomorrow than our circumstances could reasonably justify.

 

Yet, looking back today, I realise that those conversations were not wasted. They helped sharpen our understanding of society, broaden our perspectives and strengthen our belief that determination, knowledge and hard work could open doors.

 

Dozy was an important part of that unforgettable experience. His maturity, accommodating disposition and ability to relate freely with everyone made him a natural big brother within our circle.

 

I learnt many things from him, not necessarily through formal lectures or deliberate mentoring sessions, but through observation, everyday conversations and the way he handled people and situations.

 

He taught me, through his conduct, that a man’s greatness is not determined by how many people serve him but by how many people feel comfortable around him. He demonstrated that friendship should never be reduced to convenience and that loyalty remains one of the most valuable qualities anyone can possess.

 

Those memories remain fresh in my mind because they remind me of how far God has brought us. From the small rooms of Iyana Ipaja, where young graduates shared dreams and discussed the future until the early hours of the morning, we have witnessed the passage of time, professional transformations, personal challenges and the unfolding of God’s grace.

 

Today, as I celebrate Dozy at 60, I cannot help but thank Almighty God for preserving his life and allowing him to witness this remarkable milestone.

 

Sixty years is not merely a celebration of age. It is a celebration of survival, experience, wisdom, relationships, achievements and the countless battles that life has presented along the way.

 

Every man who reaches this age carries stories that cannot be fully captured in newspaper pages. There are silent sacrifices, difficult decisions, disappointments, victories, lessons and moments of divine intervention that collectively shape his journey.

 

For Tokunbo Akinremi, the celebration is particularly significant because he has remained a man of the people despite the responsibilities and opportunities that have accompanied his professional growth.

 

In an age when success sometimes creates distance between old friends, Dozy’s friendly and accommodating personality remains one of his greatest assets. He understands the value of relationships and the importance of remembering those who shared the journey before the arrival of recognition and accomplishments.

 

As a journalist and media entrepreneur myself, I appreciate the discipline, courage and perseverance required to remain relevant in an industry that is constantly changing. Journalism and media entrepreneurship are not professions for the faint-hearted. They demand creativity, resilience, patience, integrity and the ability to adapt to new realities.

 

Dozy’s movement from mainstream media practice into outdoor advertising demonstrates his understanding of these realities. Rather than limiting himself to one aspect of the profession, he embraced another opportunity within the wider media ecosystem.

 

Through Freedom Light Media, he continues to pursue his entrepreneurial vision, drawing from the knowledge, relationships and professional experiences accumulated over the years.

 

For younger media practitioners, his journey offers an important lesson: professional growth should never stop at the point where one becomes comfortable. Opportunities often emerge when people are willing to expand their knowledge, embrace innovation and explore related areas of their expertise.

 

However, if I were asked to identify Dozy’s greatest achievement, I would not begin with his business interests or professional standing. I would begin with his humanity.

 

His friendliness, generosity of spirit, accommodating nature and commitment to relationships are qualities that money cannot purchase and professional titles cannot confer.

 

There are people whose achievements we admire from a distance, and there are others whose lives we celebrate because we have personally experienced their goodness. Dozy belongs to the second category.

 

My dear brother, as you celebrate your Diamond Jubilee, I want you to know that the memories of our youthful years remain priceless to me. I remember the laughter, the arguments, the dreams, the late-night discussions and the genuine brotherhood that made our Iyana Ipaja days so special.

 

I remember the small room that accommodated more than seven graduates. I remember how we would discuss politics, entertainment and finance until 4 a.m. I remember the atmosphere of friendship and hope that surrounded us.

 

Above all, I remember the big brother whose personality made those experiences even more memorable.

 

Time may have changed our circumstances, but it has not diminished the value of those memories or the respect and affection I have for you.

 

As a true son of Gbagura, you have every reason to be proud of your roots and the legacy of your late father, who distinguished himself in journalism. Your own contributions to the media profession and your entrepreneurial journey are part of the continuing story of that family heritage.

 

At 60, I pray that your best years are still ahead of you.

 

May Almighty God grant you long life in sound health, renewed strength, divine wisdom, financial prosperity and greater professional accomplishments.

 

May Freedom Light Media continue to grow from strength to strength. May new doors of opportunities open before you, and may your investments, relationships and years of hard work produce greater rewards.

 

May the Almighty preserve your household, bless everything that concerns you and grant you the privilege of celebrating many more decades in happiness, peace and fulfilment.

 

May you never labour in vain, and may the legacy you are building continue to speak for you and generations after you.

 

Dozy, you are not simply celebrating 60 years of existence. You are celebrating six decades of God’s faithfulness, human relationships, valuable experiences and the impact you have made on those privileged to know you.

 

For me, this birthday is also an opportunity to say thank you.

 

Thank you for being a big brother. Thank you for the lessons I learnt from you. Thank you for the friendship, the accommodation of different personalities, the unforgettable memories and the example you have continued to set through your relationship with people.

 

If life gave me another opportunity to relive those youthful years, I would gladly return to our Iyana Ipaja stopover house, sit among those wonderful brothers and enjoy another round of discussions about politics, entertainment and finance until 4 a.m.

 

Not because those days were financially comfortable, but because they were rich in friendship, sincerity, hope and brotherhood.

 

Happy 60th birthday, Tokunbo Akinremi — Dozy, my brother from another mother, a seasoned journalist, media guru, distinguished entrepreneur and proud son of Gbagura!

 

May your Diamond Jubilee mark the beginning of greater accomplishments, uncommon favour and extraordinary testimonies.

 

Keep shining, keep inspiring, keep building and keep touching lives.

 

Congratulations, my dear brother. I celebrate you today, tomorrow and always. Cheers to 60 glorious years and many more decades of God’s abundant blessings!

 

**Akin Alade**

 

*Publisher, The Nigeria Standard Magazine*