Kunle Awosika

It’s an established fact that good guys are contagious. Get a group of good men together, and they will change their community and the world. A good guy has integrity and character. Simply put, a good guy is less talk and more action. The Latin origin of ‘integrity’ means whole, and when it comes to being a good guy, wholesome is sexy. Everywhere he goes, he leaves a mark. One of such figures is Oluwaseyi Afolabi Tinubu.

Every man is a work in progress. As a successful entrepreneur, vibrant socialite, sports enthusiast, humanist and now the son of Nigeria President, Seyi is still on the stock. As the Chief Executive Officer of Loatsad Promomedia, a full-fledged digital out-of-home advertising company, Seyi has acted as an innovative disruptor with an unprecedented inventory of specialized outdoor and digital products ranging from giant sized billboards to automated standalone boards. His works have had a tremendous impact on the concept of goods and services promotion. Yet, profiling the philanthropic focus of Seyi —who has in the last few years busied himself with the issues that bother the masses most— is not a demanding task.

Over the years, Seyi has solidified his reputation as a philanthropist dedicated to transforming lives through the Noella Foundation —a non-profit private sector he co-founded with his wife, Layal Jade Tinubu to scale talents and improve Nigeria's economy via entrepreneurship, innovation, sustainable ideas and plans. His impactful contributions, dating back to 2018, continue to serve as a reference point for his unwavering commitment to social change.

Seyi believes in service —service to the people, service to the nation and service to God. The 39 year-old fella does good in the most clear-sighted, ambitious, and unsentimental way possible that will yield a measurable impact on problems. He focuses on maximizing the impact of charitable giving. From setting up monthly community kitchens in partnership with Food Clique Support to launching the Seyi Tinubu Empowerment Project, STEP initiative aimed at empowering millennial tech entrepreneurs in Nigeria, Seyi's impact continues to resonate with more expansive programs designed to create long-term social and economic transformation. One of his most notable acts of kindness was the life-changing support Seyi gave to a struggling one-legged Lagos bus conductor simply called Chima. The physically-challenged gentleman received a state-of-the-art prosthetic leg worth millions of Naira —a gesture that not only restored Chima’s mobility but also his dignity.

Beyond the physical support, Seyi also ensured financial stability for Chima by offering him a position as an assistant coach on his football team with a monthly salary of Fifty Thousand Naira (₦50,000). This gesture exemplified his approach to sustainable empowerment, providing people with opportunities beyond just financial aid.

Reflecting on his journey, Chima shared his gratitude: “My life is back to normal because I can now walk with both legs, work, and earn a living. I thank God for using the Noella Foundation through Seyi Tinubu to come to my rescue. God bless them mightily.”

This act of generosity is just one of many initiatives of Seyi driven by the Noella Foundation. Even with his father in power as Nigerian leader, Seyi hasn’t faltered in his charity deeds. Through his associates, he has given out relief items to people involved in a fire disaster in Nasarawa, gifted palliatives in Abuja, and sponsored some medical outreaches.

In September last year, Seyi flew to Borno with a team of associate-sympathizers and was received by the state governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum. During that visit, Seyi donated N500 million to victims of the Maiduguri flood. A few weeks later, Seyi once again saved some underprivileged from a bad fate of financial hardship as his foundation procured prescribed medication through a drug bank that would serve over 10,000 indigent people in 60 hospitals around the country. This drug bank, Seyi said, is more than medicine but a “commitment to dignity, to equality, and to the fundamental human right to healthcare.”

Beyond financial aid and community projects, Seyi remains a role model for young Nigerians, proving that success is not just measured by personal achievements but also by the ability to uplift others. His dedication to humanitarian causes has encouraged more individuals and organizations to join in the mission of fostering positive change. His past interventions, like Chima’s story, remain a powerful reminder of the impact of selfless giving, inspiring more individuals and organizations to play their part in building a better society.

Seyi, as an entrepreneur, rather than fund a lavish lifestyle, wanted to make as much as possible to do as much good as he could. He has embraced an effective altruism non-profit to create a positive social impact and maximises charitable giving. With an ever-growing portfolio of community-focused initiatives, Seyi continues to redefine philanthropy in Nigeria, ensuring that his legacy of impact, compassion and empowerment endures for generations to come

Seyi Tinubu, entrepreneur and philanthropist, continues to leave an indelible mark on Nigerian society through his impactful initiatives and leadership. As the son of Nigeria’s President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Seyi has leveraged his influence to champion social causes, economic empowerment, and youth development.

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and a renowned Public Affairs Commentator, Otunba Yomi Adelowo, has said that with the newly elected Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Honourable Mojisola Lasbat Meranda's experience, education, family background, leadership skills and competence, he has no doubt that she possessed the requisites to effectively function as Speaker of the legislative arm of government in Lagos State.

President Bola Tinubu has continued to receive widespread praise for the appointment of Dr. Kayode Opeifa as the substantive Managing Director of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC).

Since the emergence of Rt. Hon Mojisola Lasbat Meranda as the first female speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly and consequently resumption in office on Monday, January 27, 2025, the Lagos polity had witnessed various activities.

The prospect of former Speaker Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa reclaiming a prime political position in Lagos State is not just audacious; it is a slap on the faces of the genuine sons and daughters of this great city, Lagos State.

The Lovers of Lagos, a coalition of concerned citizens and political observers, have commended the Lagos State House of Assembly for upholding legislative independence and standing firmly with Hon. Meranda, despite reported arrests by the Department of State Services (DSS) and alleged intervention by party leaders.

On Monday, January 27, 2025, history was made in Lagos as the first female speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, assumed office.

Abubakar Sambo, the director of Finance and Account of the Rural Electrification Agency, was on Monday re-arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, for alleged N1.84 billion fraud.

For anyone who experienced the Nigerian music scene of the late 1990s and early 2000s, the name Seyi Sodimu, also known as Mr. Jeje or simply Seyi, resonates with the rhythms of nostalgia and innovation. His breakout single, "Love Me Jeje," featuring the soulful vocals of Shaffy Bello, is not just a song but a cornerstone of Nigeria's burgeoning music industry. Released in 1997, the track became an instant classic, propelling Seyi into the limelight and setting a foundation for the genre now globally recognized as Afrobeats.

"Love Me Jeje" is more than a hit song, it is one of the songs that changed the game and continues to be a cultural touchstone that signaled the rise of Nigerian hip-hop and Afrobeats. At a time when Nigerian music was still carving its niche on the global stage,
Seyi’s influence extends beyond "Love Me Jeje." His body of work laid the groundwork for a genre that has grown to dominate international music charts. By marrying catchy hooks with deep, resonant lyrics, Seyi was also one of the first Artist to fuse English with Yoruba lyrics to create a unique sound. He also introduced a new dimension to Nigerian music that inspired a generation of artistes who have since taken the world by storm.
The ripple effects of Seyi Sodimu's early contributions are evident in today’s Afrobeats stars. Artistes like Wizkid, Burna Boy, and Tems have drawn from the foundation he and his contemporaries built.

A prime example of Seyi's enduring influence is Tems' recent interpolation of "Love Me Jeje" in her music, which earned her a Grammy nomination. This not only brought Seyi's classic back into contemporary conversations but also highlighted the song’s lasting appeal and its pivotal role in shaping modern Afrobeats. Tems’ success underscores how Seyi's work continues to inspire and elevate Nigerian music on the world stage. Tiwa Savage, Banky W, 2baba, and Skales have all used the phrase "Love Me Jeje" in their songs.

The resurgence of "Love Me Jeje" in recent years demonstrates the timeless quality of Seyi’s music. The song’s revival in the contemporary music scene has sparked renewed interest in Seyi’s catalog, drawing in a younger audience who may have missed its original release. This resurgence is a testament to the song's universal themes and Seyi's knack for creating music that transcends generations.
The renewed interest has also opened doors for Seyi to reintroduce his music to a global audience, showcasing the relevance and adaptability of his sound in today’s ever-evolving music landscape. Seyi's other notable songs include "Ayo" released in 1997,  "Tribute to Fela" in 2001, "Money Man" in 2002, and "Pele Pele" in 2013.

For Seyi, the resurgence of "Love Me Jeje" through Tems is both an honor and a reminder of the song's enduring legacy. "Seeing younger artistes take inspiration from my work is incredibly humbling," Seyi says. "It’s a sign that the music we created has a life of its own, continuing to evolve and inspire."

Seyi Sodimu’s story is one of innovation, resilience, and enduring influence. From the release of "Love Me Jeje" in 1997 to its recent revival, Seyi’s work has continually shaped the Afrobeats genre, paving the way for Nigerian music to achieve global acclaim. As Afrobeats continues to dominate international music scenes, the legacy of pioneers like Seyi Sodimu serves as a reminder of the genre's rich history and boundless future.
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