President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid a heartfelt tribute to former Governor of Ogun State and elder statesman, Aremo Chief Olusegun Osoba, describing him as “a brother in purpose,” trusted ally and one of the enduring pillars of Nigeria’s progressive political movement.
In an emotional birthday message released from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu reflected on decades of friendship, political collaboration and shared commitment to democratic governance, praising Osoba’s integrity, consistency and lifelong dedication to public service.
The President said his relationship with the veteran journalist and politician spans so many years that “a book could easily be written” about their shared experiences, recalling moments of political struggle, strategic planning, media engagement and governance.
According to him, beyond Osoba’s impressive credentials as a journalist, politician and administrator lies a man whose greatest strength is an unwavering commitment to serving others.
“I have known Aremo Chief Olusegun Osoba for so many years that we could easily write a book about one another. His hearty laughter when sharing a joke, his stern expression when focused, and his depth in moments of decision are all familiar to me. Behind the titles, the pen and the politics stands a man whose first instinct is always to serve,” Tinubu stated.
The President noted that although they entered public life through different paths, they became united by a common vision of building a Nigeria founded on competence, respect for institutions and genuine concern for the welfare of the people.
He said those ideals guided their political journey through difficult campaigns, intense policy debates and critical moments in Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
“We entered public life from different doorways, but we found ourselves in the same house: the house of an idea—that Nigeria could be governed with competence, respect for institutions and an unyielding belief that our people deserve better,” he said.
Tinubu recalled countless hours spent with Osoba during political campaigns and strategic meetings, describing him as a voice of wisdom who consistently emphasized the human impact of government policies rather than political calculations alone.
The President particularly praised Osoba’s journalistic background, noting that the former governor never lost his instinct for identifying the human side of every issue.
According to him, Osoba remained deeply committed to telling stories that reflected the realities of ordinary Nigerians and carried the same people-centred approach into public office.
“I watched how he treated young reporters—never with condescension, always with a correction and a story to go with it. He would take a bad headline, mark it in red and then ask, ‘But what is the human angle here? Who is affected?'” Tinubu recalled.
He added that even in high-level political discussions focused on elections and governance, Osoba constantly reminded colleagues to consider the interests of ordinary citizens.
“In strategy rooms where everyone was thinking about votes and victory, Chief Osoba would remind them about the newspaper vendor at CMS or the classroom teacher in Ijebu-Ode,” the President said.
Reflecting on their shared political journey, Tinubu said Osoba’s calm disposition and historical perspective often provided stability during challenging moments.
He described the former governor as a man who possesses a rare ability to transform uncertainty into confidence by drawing lessons from Nigeria’s political history and the ideals of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
“There were times when the path was unclear, and the cost of staying the course felt high. On those days, Chief Osoba’s calm demeanour was an anchor,” he said.
“He has a gift for sharing historical anecdotes about Chief Awolowo, the old Western Region and lessons from the past. Those stories turn panic into perspective and remind us that we are part of a longer story.”
The President also highlighted what he described as Osoba’s greatest virtue—his consistency of character.
According to him, the former governor remains the same person in both public and private life, treating people with dignity and maintaining relationships built on respect and courtesy.
“What I admire most in Aremo is his consistency. In public and in private, he is the same man. He will call to ask about your family before discussing your schedule. He will send a handwritten note, not out of necessity but because courtesy matters,” Tinubu stated.
“He will firmly disagree with you, then walk with you to your car because the argument is about the work and its outcome, not about the person.”
While acknowledging the numerous honours and achievements already associated with Osoba’s distinguished career, the President said his greatest wish for the elder statesman was continued good health and the opportunity to witness the continued growth of the ideals they both championed.
“I do not wish him more honours, for he has earned enough for several lifetimes. I wish him health and more mornings to enjoy his tea and read the newspapers. I wish him the joy of seeing the ideas we nurtured together take deeper root—schools that work, roads that last and a government that answers to its people,” he said.
President Tinubu concluded the tribute by expressing gratitude for Osoba’s friendship, counsel and commitment to principled leadership.
“Aremo, thank you for being a brother in purpose. Thank you for the counsel, your laughter and for the reminder that leadership without character is worthless. May your new year bring you peace, and may we continue the work together.”
The tribute has been widely interpreted as a reflection of the long-standing relationship between two of Nigeria’s most influential progressive politicians whose careers have shaped political developments in the South-West and the country at large for decades.
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