Dear Chief Sunday Akin Dare, CON, Agbaakin of Ogbomosoland,
As you celebrate your 60th birthday today, I find myself reflecting on a journey that began on a fateful day, September 7, 2019. Little did I know that our meeting would mark the beginning of one of the most defining chapters of my life.
From that moment, my path has been blessed in ways I could never have imagined. Through God’s grace and your uncommon generosity of spirit, I have experienced growth, opportunities, and invaluable lessons that continue to shape my life and career.
When you served as the Honourable Minister of Youth and Sports Development, I approached every assignment with dedication, discipline, and a commitment to excellence. What I did not anticipate was the depth of your investment in the people around you. You saw potential where others saw only performance. You nurtured talent, rewarded diligence, and created opportunities for many of us to thrive.
What remains most remarkable is that your support did not end when your tenure as Honourable Minister ended. Many leaders move on when the office changes; you did not. Instead, you continued to extend your hands of friendship, guidance, and mentorship. Through different seasons and transitions, you remained present, offering encouragement, opening doors, sharing wisdom, and challenging me to become a better version of myself.
Over time, I was privileged to witness firsthand the qualities that have defined your extraordinary journey: your dexterity, resilience, professionalism, innovative thinking, and unwavering commitment to service.
More importantly, I encountered the man behind the public office: a leader deeply committed to people and the nation, a mentor who genuinely desires the success of those around him, and a father figure whose impact transcends titles and positions.
I was often stunned by the extent of your commitment to human capital development. You brought us closer, taught us lessons that no classroom could offer, and revealed profound truths about leadership, loyalty, character, and purpose. Those lessons continue to guide me every day.
Today, as you serve our nation as Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, you have once again demonstrated your readiness to answer the call of service. Those of us who have worked closely with you know that excellence follows wherever responsibility finds you.
Your deep understanding of communication, governance, strategy, and nation-building continues to enrich public service and strengthen the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu’s administration.
Your journey, from an accomplished journalist and communications expert to a respected public servant, administrator, and national leader, remains an inspiration to many of us. Your commitment to family values, community advancement, youth empowerment, and national development has earned you the respect and admiration of countless Nigerians.
As you attain this remarkable milestone, I celebrate not only your accomplishments but also your impact on lives like mine. Your greatest legacy is not merely in the offices you have held or the policies you have championed, but in the people you have inspired, mentored, and empowered to dream bigger and aim higher.
Thank you for believing in me. Thank you for your guidance. Thank you for your mentorship. Thank you for being a constant source of wisdom and encouragement.
On behalf of myself and the many lives you have touched, I pray that God grants you many more years in good health, renewed strength, greater wisdom, and continued fulfilment. May your best years still lie ahead, and may your service to humanity continue to bear abundant fruit.
Happy 60th Birthday, Chief.
With profound gratitude and warmest regards,
Yours’ Sincerly,
Kola Daniel,
S.A. Media,
Office of the Director General,
National Sports Commission.
May 29, 2026.
