Tribute: Assessing the Accessible Eagle: Leadership Lessons from Mr. Gbadega Adedapo , Soaring High, Staying Humble, Serving All @60
By Olufemi Timothy Ogunyejo
The world population increased by one on Monday, August 23rd, 1965, and a star was born. Not merely a number, not just another name, but a spark destined to ignite flames of purpose, productivity, and possibility.
In the timeless words of Aristotle, “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, and intelligent execution.” Such is the story of Mr. Gbadega Adedapo, entrepreneur par excellence, nation builder, mentor of minds, and the ever-accessible Eagle of African publishing.
As he gracefully clocks 60 today, Saturday, August 23rd, 2025, we do not merely celebrate his years, we celebrate his yield: the decades of discipline, daring dreams, and the deliberate development of destinies.
A Destiny Defined from Birth
Born into a generation yet to witness the digital dawn or global connectivity, Mr. Gbadega Adedapo arrived as a gift wrapped in vision. Where others saw limitations, he saw landscapes of opportunity. Where many folded at the face of adversity, he forged ahead, undaunted, undeterred, and unbowed.
His legacy is not etched only in ink but in institutions: Accessible Publishers Ltd, Best Technologies, Best In Print Academy, Accesstudy, Accesseller, and other subsidiaries. Each of these corporate establishments is more than a business, they are beacons that have pulled many from the streets and planted them on the path of purpose, providing not only jobs but joy, not just employment but empowerment.
A Personal Epiphany
I remember the date with a clarity reserved only for life memories: Monday, January 15, 2006. As a fresh graduate from the prestigious The Polytechnic, Ibadan, I walked into what was then Rasmed Publications Ltd, youthful, eager, and uncertain.
That day, Mr. Adedapo not only offered me employment; he offered me enlightenment.
He looked at me and said something I have never forgotten till date: He said, Femi: “If you don’t know where you’re going, everywhere resembles where you’re going.”
Those words didn’t just echo in my ears, they engraved themselves into my walk, my work, and my worldview. That single philosophical statement has since become my walking, working, and sleeping thought, a compass that continues to direct me through life and leadership.
He appointed me Acting Editorial Head and, unknowingly, enrolled me into a living masterclass of mentorship. From boardroom deliberations to book development, I watched, I learned, and I grew, nurtured under his eagle-eyed guidance.
Diligence: His Divine Signature
The Scriptures say in Proverbs 22:29 “Seest thou a man diligent in his business?” He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean men. ”
Yes, we have seen him , and we celebrate him today. At 60, Mr. Gbadega Adedapo, Managing Director of Accessible Publishers Ltd, stands as a living testament to the eternal truth of Proverbs 22:29. A man who has paid the full price of diligence, not in words or wishes, but in years of tireless labor, quiet sacrifice, and unshakable commitment to purpose.
In a world that often seeks shortcuts, Mr. Adedapo chose the long road, the path of excellence, integrity, and perseverance. And true to the Scripture, his life has not gone unnoticed. His work has spoken for him. His character has opened doors no connections ever could. He has stood before kings, in boardrooms, in national forums, in the hearts of all who value vision and value.
As a publisher, he has not just printed books, he has printed legacies. He has built platforms for learning, opened windows of opportunity for the next generation, and elevated the standard of educational content across Nigeria.
As a leader, his diligence is quiet, but profound. He leads not by demand, but by example. His footsteps echo with discipline, focus, and wisdom, inspiring all who walk behind him.
Mr. Adedapo has paid the price of waking early, thinking deeply, working relentlessly, and dreaming boldly. Today, we celebrate not just the age of 60, but 60 years of steady hands, faithful stewardship, and kingdom-class excellence.
To know him is to know a man of deep humility, spiritual depth, and unwavering resolve. A man who embodies what it means to be faithful in little, and now entrusted with much.
Few Words, Mighty Deeds
A man of few words, Mr. Adedapo doesn’t just talk the talk, he walks and works it. His actions speak volumes where speeches fail. Yet, when he chooses to speak, he does so with the piercing wisdom of proverbs, the artistry of metaphors, and the clarity of conviction.
Like our Lord Jesus Christ, he uses parables, local sayings, and culturally resonant idioms to teach lessons that linger. His communication isn’t clouded in complexity, it is rooted in relevance. One phrase from his lips is often more powerful than pages of prose.
A Man Rich in Giving
Mr. Adedapo’s philanthropy is not an act, it is a lifestyle. His corporate social responsibility transcends tokenism; it is transformational. From scholarships for indigent students, to equipment for schools, to community development projects that many institutions shy away from, he has become a fountain of impact in dry places.
He doesn’t just give back; he gives forward, empowering futures, rebuilding hopes, and resourcing dreams.
Character. Conduct. Charisma.
Mr. Adedapo is the full embodiment of impeccable integrity. A rare breed in a world of cut corners, he is the same man in the dark as he is in the daylight. His character is unshakeable, his conduct is exemplary, and his charisma is both magnetic and modest.
He has shown that it is possible to be tough without being toxic, firm without being feared, and successful without selling one’s soul.
A Man Who Fears God, Genuinely
He is not a man known for loud religion or frequent pulpit appearances, yet those who walk with him see God in his disposition. He reverences the divine not in showy acts, but in his daily dealings, in how he speaks, how he leads, how he forgives, and how he gives.
His fear of God is reflected in how he treats those under him, with dignity, empathy, and fairness. He doesn’t just practice religion; he personifies righteousness.
A Family Man, A Model Home
In a time where success often comes at the expense of family, Mr. Adedapo stands out as a complete family man. He leads his home with the same intentionality with which he leads his businesses. His marriage, his parenting, and his values at home are worthy of academic study.
His life behind closed doors is not a contradiction to his public persona, it is a confirmation.
The Accessible Eagle Still Soaring
To truly understand Mr. Adedapo’s leadership, we must look no further than the eagle,a creature of courage, clarity, and calm amidst chaos
In the vast skies of leadership, where many flap but few soar, Mr. Gbadega Adedapo, the visionary Managing Director and CEO of Accessible Publishers Ltd, distinguishes himself like the eagle, majestic, meticulous, and masterful. His greatest asset? Not merely his corporate acumen, but his mentorship, a profound, consistent, and deliberate investment in people. Like the eagle, he doesn’t just rise alone, he teaches others to spread their wings.
Like the eagle that flies alone to greater heights, Mr. Adedapo has scaled the summits of publishing leadership, not through noise, but through noble solitude and focused vision. Yet, despite his altitude, he remains eminently accessible, living up to the very name of his company, Accessible Publishers Ltd. Whether you’re a junior staff member, an aspiring publisher, a stakeholder, or a student with a dream, Mr. Adedapo’s door is always open, and so is his mind.
He doesn’t surround himself with the flock of flatterers or time-wasters. Rather, he soars with kindred spirits, thinkers with vision, trailblazers with integrity, and professionals with purpose. He walks the path of leadership with dignity and direction, choosing quality over quantity in his company. just like the eagle that refuses to fly with sparrows.
His accessibility is not mere symbolism; it is a lifestyle. Whether during boardroom deliberations or casual corridor conversations, Mr. Adedapo listens, advises, uplifts, and inspires. In a world where many leaders build ivory towers, he builds bridges, connecting hearts, opening hands, and extending help. In doing so, he transforms titles into trust and authority into accessibility.
Just as the eagle spots its prey from miles away, Mr. Adedapo leads with foresight, not hindsight. His leadership is not reactive but revolutionary, guided by a keen sense of purpose and an unwavering focus on results. With eyes fixed on the future, he mentors staff and emerging professionals to see beyond limitations and embrace possibility.
He plants seeds of long-term thinking, helping others set their sights not on immediate applause but on enduring impact. For Mr. Adedapo, success is not seasonal, it is sustained, strategic, and shared.
An eagle refuses stale meat, and Mr. Adedapo refuses stagnation. He hungers for fresh ideas, fresh strategies, and fresh perspectives. His commitment to constant learning is contagious. He encourages his team to pursue professional development, read widely, think deeply, and act creatively.
He believes that yesterday’s wisdom can’t solve today’s challenges, and so he pushes others to embrace innovation with intellect and intention. His mentorship is a fountain, not a fossil, a source that continuously flows with relevance and renewal.
When the storm roars, the eagle doesn’t flee, it flies higher. Likewise, Mr. Adedapo is a leader built for turbulent times. He doesn’t merely weather the storm; he welcomes it as a wind of opportunity. Challenges don’t crush him, they crown him.
In his mentorship, he equips others to be resilient, to rise above life’s tempests, and to find strength in struggle. Under his guidance, failure becomes a forge and difficulty, a doorway to destiny. He often says,
The best time to do things is when you don’t need it.” ” He who carries an elephant on his head doesn’t look down to see an ant.” “You are not built to break, you are built to break through.”
Like the eagle that strips the nest to force its young to fly, Mr. Adedapo refuses to coddle potential. He is nurturing but never indulgent; kind but never complacent. He believes discomfort is the raw material of destiny. In his mentorship, he challenges people to grow, not groan, to stretch beyond safe zones into strength zones.
Through structured opportunities, intentional correction, and affirming accountability, he shapes young professionals into future leaders. He plants the belief that greatness is not inherited but honed.
Eagles renew themselves by shedding old feathers. Similarly, Mr. Adedapo believes in the discipline of personal reinvention. He is never afraid to let go of what no longer works, be it a practice, a mindset, or a method.
He calls others to examine themselves, to put off the old man, and to embrace transformation. His leadership speaks to the necessity of humility, knowing when to step back, strip down, and start afresh. For him, leadership is not a title to protect but a trust to renew.
Mr. Adedapo doesn’t just mentor skill, he mentors character. He detests laziness, loathes dishonesty, and disdains every shade of sharp practice. He stands as a moral compass in an industry that is increasingly susceptible to the seduction of shortcuts. His creed is simple but strong: “You can be excellent without being unethical.”
He is proof that success is not the preserve of the privileged, but the prize of the principled. He treats the office assistant with the same dignity he accords the director. He believes that hope is not a gift for a few but a goal for all.
In every hall of Accessible Publishers, his influence echoes. In every graduate of Best In Print Academy, his investment speaks. And in every transformed life touched by his enterprises, his legacy breathes.
The true worth of a man is not measured by the magnitude of his wealth, but by the multitude of lives he has enriched. By this measure, Mr. Adedapo is not just wealthy, he is wondrously wealth-spreading.
Final Thoughts: His Legacy, Our Lesson
To all captains of commerce and stewards of sectors, the example of Mr. Gbadega Adedapo calls loudly: mentor the next generation. Don’t just build empires. build people. Don’t just create profits, create legacy. Cultivate a culture where character matters more than credentials, where values are venerated, and where living for others becomes the heartbeat of leadership.
As the proverb goes, “The footprints of a great leader are seen not in titles but in the lives transformed under their watch.” Mr. Adedapo has left, and continues to leave, such as indelible footprints.
Leadership is not simply about rising, it is about raising others. Be like the eagle. Be like Mr. Adedapo. Fly high, stay humble, and serve all. Because the true height of a leader is not how far he has flown, but how many he has lifted.
Let every industry watch and learn: greatness is not just in the eagle’s flight, but in its faithfulness to nurture, its fierceness in storms, and its focus on the future.
To every emerging leader, entrepreneur, and visionary, the life of Mr. Gbadega Adedapo is a blueprint and a beacon. Let his journey remind us that: excellence is possible without excess, profit can walk hand-in-hand with purpose and true leadership is not about lording over people, but lifting them.
Today, we do not just wish him a happy birthday. We honour a life, celebrate a legacy, and aspire to emulate a spirit.
To Mr. Gbadega Adedapo:
May your eagle wings remain strong.
May your skies be ever open.
May your journey, even at 60, be only beginning.
And may generations yet unborn call you blessed.
Happy 60th Birthday, Sir. the Accessible Eagle of African Publishing.
Composed by
Olufemi Timothy Ogunyejo
Training and Development Manager, Accessible Publishers Ltd /
Registrar, Best In Print Academy
