By Lekan Otufodunrin

When the Co-founder and former Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Bank, Mr Fola Adeola said his generation is very proud of veteran broadcaster, Mrs @⁨Bimbo Oloyede⁩ Bimbo Oloyede at the launch of her new book, Command Your Stage in Lagos last Thursday, he had more than enough reasons make the assertion.

Who will not be proud of an outstanding 70-year-old professional who has a lot to her credit in terms of excellent media practice through the years and remains a force to reckon with in her work as an executive coach and author?

Oloyede, nee Robert who has been a broadcaster for almost five decades, has anchored hundreds of news bulletins to the delight of viewers both as a pioneer member of Nigeria Television Authority’s Network News and later as a News Anchor/Consultant on Channels Television.

For 25 years she has also provided professional services in speech and presentation training within the education sector and for broadcast journalists and reporters. Additionally, she has groomed diplomats and corporate executives to engage confidently with the media and speak effectively in public.

Based on Mrs Oloyede’s accomplishments and his own experience, Adeola who was the chairman of the launch highlighted four things he said are not true about being successful in Nigeria.

“It is not true that integrity does not pay.
“It is not true that professional proficiency doesn’t get you anywhere.
“It is not true that living your values, you are just wasting your time.
“It is not true that unless you fly to Abuja every other day to go and look for contracts, is the only way to make a living. It is not true,” Adeola stated.

According to Adeola who co-founded GTBank at 35, despite the moral decadence in our society and lack of regard for values, we still have people like Oloyede who have continued to be models of integrity and values through professional excellence.

Former Governor of Cross River, Donald Duke described Oloyede as audacious, while the Executive Director of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ), Mrs Motunrayo Alaka said the veteran broadcaster continues to amaze her with the passion and energy she puts into coming up with new ideas at her age.

Indeed Mrs Oloyede deserves all the commendation she got at the colourful launch attended by many dignitaries and students for continuing to command her stage when many of her contemporaries have bowed out.