This gem is specially for the novices – both young and old. Also, the enlightened and unenlightened. Dr. Michael Omolayole, without any exaggerations, is a boardroom guru. As a matter of fact, his name still looms large and rings loud in the corporate world, even though age has succeeded in slowing him down at 95, and as of Monday, January 2, 2023, when I encountered him.
Notwithstanding, his footprints and great works still litter the business world.
A former CEO and chairman of Unilever Nigeria Plc, he was born in Ogun State and was educated at the University of Ibadan. Married and blessed with children and grandchildren, Dr. Omolayole is still as humble as ever and as jovial as can be, despite his intimidating profile and achievements.
I had been an his heels for years, especially during my days as the editor of Encomium Weekly, a leading celebrity journal. So, I was extremely happy when members of his club suggested we visit him during the District Governor, Rotarian Omotunde Lawson’s visit to Rotary Club of Apapa.
Adjusting his agbada, as we were being ushered into his sitting room, he pointed us to comfy seats.
Then, reading from a sheet of paper, he marshalled his points one after the other. That approach undoubtedly became my first lesson – to sometimes think on paper; and not always speaking off the cuff, or extempore.
The second one was the pertinence of injecting life and fun into one’s speech. All through his speech, he kept deploying proverbs, anecdotes, stories, etc. to drill in and drive home his points.
The third and the most important was when I asked for the recipe for staying long in the corporate world, and again remaining untainted, like he did. His response, after adjusting his sitting position and facing me now: “Integrity… Hard work…”
A proud Rotarian, and obviously the oldest man in the room, Dr. Omolayole took us down memory lane, recalling the formation of RC Apapa, the charter members and how the club has been able to come this far.
In all, it was not only a beautiful and memorable experience for me in particular, it also left me inspired and better equipped. Both as a Rotarian and as a business owner.
– Azuh Arinze, Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine is also the author of bestselling books like The CEO’s Bible, A Taste Of Success, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, etc.