After a long conversation, he concluded with words that have never left me: “Kehinde, this is what I want. Summarize all we’ve discussed and send it back to me.” I responded respectfully, “Okay Sir.”
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At that moment, I had no idea that the man behind that voice was already in his seventies. What struck me later was how, despite his age, his spirit remained youthful, alive with energy, understanding, and empathy for the dreams and struggles of the younger generation.
Our first meeting in person was unforgettable. We had just returned from a media assignment to the Eko Hot Blog office in Gbagada. There he was, a tall, striking man, firm yet graceful, sitting with legs crossed and an aura of quiet confidence.
When it was announced that he was the publisher, I almost gasped. Gathering myself, I greeted, “Good evening Sir.” He lifted his eyes, studied me for a moment, then smiled and said, “I like you. You’re Kehinde, right?” In that instant, I felt seen.
With the pride of a true son of the soil, he declared, “I am a Lagosian, a full-blooded Lagosian, not Lagosians like some of you.” His words made everyone laugh, but beneath the humor lay lessons of resilience.
He went on to share his journey, the struggles, the hurdles, and the triumphs that shaped him. “As you see me today, I have survived this Lagos not by easy routes, but through hard work, determination, and the grace of Allah,” he said, his voice carrying the weight of experience.
That day was not just a meeting; it was a mentorship session in its purest form. His words still echo in my heart, guiding me quietly even now.
Otunba T.J. Abass is not just a year older today. He is a man who has risen above the chains of poverty, carrying with him wisdom, generosity, love, and a deep respect for humanity.
I remember one gesture that revealed the true measure of his heart. He asked us to check a bag. “I bought some clothes for you from the U.S. Pick whichever one fits you.”
Our eyes lit up like children. How he managed to know our sizes without having met us before is still a mystery. The shirt I picked carried a price tag of $50, a significant amount in Nigeria.
But it wasn’t the cost that moved me; it was the thought, the kindness, the love behind the gesture. That was Otunba, a man blessed, yet constantly blessing others.
Since working with him, one truth stood out. Otunba valued professionalism above everything else. He would say, “Do the work as it should be done. Break the news as it comes. Stick to the agreement. No jokes.” He is highly disciplined, firm yet soft-hearted.
Where some found his constant checks overwhelming, I saw them as love, as a father’s way of shaping. He pushed us toward excellence, sometimes without us even realizing it.
I recall vividly a Special report I once wrote that caught the attention of one of the former Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker. With so much pride, Otunba introduced me: “Kehinde wrote it.” Those words, simple as they were, meant the world to me.
Today, as I write, I know that no tribute or praise could ever fully capture his worth. But I must try. I celebrate a man whose generosity has touched countless lives, whose humanitarian spirit has lifted burdens, and whose vision has kept the Epe community forever in the spotlight of greatness.
Epe is blessed to have him. We are blessed to have him.
Happy Birthday, Otunba T.J. Abass. A rare gem, a mentor, a father, and a blessing to many.
