By Gbenga Sodeinde
My professional colleague and uncommon journalist, Yemi Akintomide has paid his dues among practising journalists in the world over. Our paths as reporters crossed in 2006 when we both met inside the newroom of Independent Newspapers Limited, INL, publisher of Daily Independent, Saturday Independent, Sunday Independent and BreakingNews.
From the first day we met, I have identified him as a great writer, fearless reporter, investigative journalist, and hard news cracker with unquenchable trust for exclusive news, even from the deepest and hideous sources that many of his colleagues couldn’t dare.
From 2006, he was engaged as the Ondo State Correspondent of Independent titles, while I was holding brief as Ekiti State Correspondent of same titles. Yemi is a man with many parts: a core professional journalist, die hard rights activist, grassroots and youths mobilizer, community advocate, child educationist, UNICEF ambassador, cool headed loving family man. And more importantly, he is down to earth and easy going young man.
On the job, Yemi is a lone ranger; daring where others fear to trend. He has a special interest in crime coverage which made him friend and close allied of top police officers across the States and Force headquarters, Abuja. At several times, he hit the headlines with his mastering crime stories that pushed him ahead of his contemporaries.
In court, Yemi is an expert in court coverage and reportage, as he was one of those reporters that covered the historical elecrion tribunal between late Dr. Olusegun Agagu and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko. He also covered several courts’ proceedings and general elections in Ondo, Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Ogun and Osun states.
He is also an icon in politics beat, and key player in political success of many politicians in Ondo State and indeed, in the Southwest states. He was former Media Aide to former Special Adviser and Chairman of Presidential Amnesty Programme, PAP, Hon. Dr. Kingsley Kuku. He served Kuku for many years as Spokesman, even after his term as President Goodluck Jonathan Special Adviser.
Even as a Correspondent, Yemi Akintomide was appointed as Director of Media and Publicity to the Ondo State chapter of People’s Democratic Party, PDP where he also doubled as Spokesman and Media Aide to billionaire businessman, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR who was the Governorship candidate of the party in the 2016 Ondo State Governorship Election.
He also worked closely with other Governorship aspirants in Ondo State; in 2012 Governorship Election, he was Media Adviser to Hon. Wale Akinterinwa and served with Mrs. Jumonke Anifowose in the build-up to 2016 Governorship Election before he got appointment with PDP as Director of Media and Publicity.
Through his personal effort and love for his profession, he singlehandedly facilitated the purchase of a brand new Toyota Hummer bus for the Ondo State Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ donated by his boss, Hon. Kingsley Kuku in January 2015.
In January 2020, Yemi Akintomide was appointed by one of the governorship aspirant of APC, Prince Jimi Odimayo to head his Media and Publicity for the campaign.
Several of his colleagues and his immediate community in Ireakari Estate 2, Orita-Obele, Akure are beneficiaries of his philanthropic gestures and kind attitude. In 2009, he financed the grading and open up community roads within the Ireakari Estate 2, and helped many neighbours to get jobs and attracted government attention to the estate.
In the present political dispensation, Yemi Akintomide has assisted couple of politicians in their quest to gain political relevance and managing their publicity. He served in the political group of Mathew Oyerinmade, popularly known as MATO in the build up to the primary of All Progressives Congress, APC as aspirant for Ondo South Senatorial District. He later took over the media team of his boss, Dr. Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR when he joined the Senatorial race went ahead to win the ticket in May 2022.
As he celebrate his 50th birthday today, eve to the much talked-about 2023 General Elections, Akintomide is the director of media and publicity of Prince Jimi Odimayo Campaign Council for Member of House of Representatives, MHR, Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency on the platform of APC. The best gift he is expecting for this special occasion is for his boss to win tomorrow’s election and get returned as elected member of House of Representatives 2023-2027.
Let me however use this medium to wish my good friend and colleague, a happy golden birthday, in sound health, plenty of wealth, wisdow and understanding, unlimited joy, grace and mercy of God, in peace and love to leave a happy and long life.
TESTIMONIES;
•S.A Media and Publicity to Prince Odimayo Jimi
1) A Leader
2) My mentor
3) Father
4) Teacher and
5) Brother.
You thought me many things that has help me today.
You took me as a friend, which I have gained a lot from it. Thanks always sir.
On this your new age,I wish you best of everything your heart desires.
Happy birthday sir.
– Kayode Apollo
•Happy birthday shout-out to a rare legend of the pen…
Meet the archetypal boss and leader in control of PRINCE JIMI ODIMAYO trail, who is without a doubt, a man endowed with a true sense of leadership and ancient wisdom that is indicative of a person guided by the hand of God himself.
On this special occasion, I join all your well wishers across the world to specifically celebrate your good legacies, boss.
To feel at peace at work, leaders must inspire positive working connections through supervisory roles that interface with teams and groups of coworkers. Let me say that Mr. Yemi Akintomide has the adoration of the entire ranks with all sense of sincerity countrywide. His aptitude for the job, care for the welfare of media guys, in addition to the effectiveness and efficiency of his leadership style has produced results.
On behalf of myself and team Jimi Odimayo media team, I congratulate and wish you happy resounding birthday to you sir. – Julius Moyoloye
~CONGRATULATORY MESSAGE TO AN ICON ON THE OCCASION OF YOUR BIRTHDAY*
It is with great pleasure and sincere gratitude to God Almighty that I, on behalf of my family, write to felicitate with you on the occasion of your birthday celebration. This moment invokes in us immense delight and genuine appreciation to the Almighty for granting you the privilege to witness such a memorable occasion.
It is also inspiring and heartwarming as we reflect on your outstanding achievements in your political career, media and enormous contributions to your fatherland, your dogged efforts towards the betterment of the society as well as your commitment to the things of God is a reflection of your noble personality, your humility and heart of giving and service to humanity is worthy of emulation.
I therefore seize this historic opportunity to salute your untiring selfless sacrifice and service to humanity. It is our prayer that God Almighty will continue to grant you long life in sublime health and the wherewithal to sustain these altruistic values to the glory of God and benefit of mankind.
As senior superior at Omo’ba Jimi Odimayo media team, I offer my sincere compliments and congratulations to you on your birthday and reassure of my highest regards.
Congratulations sir and Happy Glorious Birthday.
*Fola Omomunijoye Adeola*
~I choose my friends.Though, they are very few, Yemi, am happy to tell you that you are one of those very few ones. On this Golden Jubilee Celebration of your womb escape, I join your family and good hearted friends to wish you the best of your heart desires. God bless you darling. -Erelu Modupe Martins. D.G Southern Senatorial Campaign Council for APC.
-Gbenga Sodeinde, a reporter with This day Newspapers wrote from Ado-Ekiti
February 24, 2023