The Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of RazorNews Group, Mr. Odita Sunday, has paid glowing tribute to his former boss and immediate past Nigerian Ambassador to Togo, Ambassador Debo Adesina, describing him as a “Journalism Cicero” and an outstanding mentor whose wisdom and professionalism continue to inspire generations of journalists.

Odita, who worked under Ambassador Adesina during his days at The Guardian Newspapers, lauded his former boss for his exemplary leadership, intellectual depth, and commitment to nurturing young journalists. He recounted how Ambassador Adesina played a pivotal role in shaping his career path and facilitating his employment in Nigeria’s flagship print media decades ago.

In appreciation, Odita presented a beautifully crafted plaque to the revered diplomat, describing the gesture as a token of gratitude to a man who “combined brilliance, discipline, and humaneness in his approach to journalism and leadership.”

According to him, “Ambassador Adesina remains one of the finest journalists Nigeria has ever produced—an editor, mentor, and statesman whose contributions to the media landscape are indelible.”

The brief but emotional presentation, held in Lagos, drew nostalgic reflections from both men on their shared experiences in journalism and the enduring values of integrity, hard work, and excellence that define the profession.

The diplomat was the former Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian.

His Excellency Debo Adesina is the immediate past Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the Republic of Togo.
Before his foray into public service, he was one of the most decorated journalists in Nigeria. He was the Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of The Guardian, the most influential group of newspapers in Nigeria. He graduated with honours in journalism from the University of Lagos, Nigeria and also studied at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Boston, USA.
He was named, in 1992, Editor of The African Guardian magazine at the age of 27, becoming the youngest person to be at the helm of a major publication at that time. He went on to become the Deputy Editor of The Guardian (Daily) and the pioneer Editor of The Guardian on Saturday, a weekly that broke sales records within its first year. He was appointed substantive Editor of the flagship, The Guardian, in 1999, a position he held for more than 12 years.
On his watch, The Guardian became the most commercially successful newspaper group while maintaining its editorial integrity and independence. It thus became a perennial winner of the Newspaper of the Year Award from both the Nigerian Media Merit Award Foundation and the Diamond Award for Media Excellence, including the Newspaper of the Decade on the two occasions that honour was given (in 2001 and 2011). The group of newspapers produced, on Adesina’s watch, winners of some journalism’s most prestigious honours globally, including the CNN Journalist of the Year Awards.
Adesina himself won, a record seven times, the Editor of the Year Award from the prestigious Foundations and was nominated Outstanding Young Person of the Year, among many other honours. He later served on the Board of Judges of the CNN African Journalist of the Year laurels.
He was awarded the Young Global Leader honour by the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland in 2007. With that, he was named one of a select group of young persons from different professional backgrounds around the world with the task of charting a new course for global development.
In 2008, he was appointed Federal Commissioner in the Fiscal Responsibility Commission by then President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua of Nigeria. He later gave up the position to concentrate on his journalism practice.
On assumption of duty as Nigeria’s Ambassador on May 3, 2021 and formal presentation of his Letters of Credence to President Faure Gnassingbe of the Togolese Republic, on July 23, 2021, he set for the Nigerian Embassy a goal he termed ‘Building Prosperity on Both Sides’ and worked to boost trade and political cooperation between Nigeria and Togo, encouraging investors to explore business opportunities and create employment for the young minds in both countries as well as in the rest of West Africa.
His guiding principle as ambassador was undiluted pan-Africanism, and he gained recognition in the diplomatic community for actively working on his position that “our borders are not supposed to be guardrails against each other.” Rather, “they are artificial lines of convenience and order, not barriers to our joint progress and prosperity.” Nigeria, he enunciated, as an envoy, “has a divine assignment to continue to lead the battle for the edification of Africa and the veneration of the Black Race.” He was very active in the efforts to end terrorism in both Togo and Nigeria whose northern regions were under the siege of insurgents.
He set up the Nigeria-Togo Business Council and the novel Nigeria-Togo Ideas Forum, which became a platform for the intelligentsia in both countries to collaborate, come up with ideas that are of benefit to both countries, and place same at the disposal of their leaders.
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, a member of the World Editors’ Forum and many other international organisations.

— Accuses Detractors of False and Malicious Publications

“There is no fraud, nor any falsehood. What exists is a delay and nothing more. Yet from this delay, some have chosen to fabricate lies, weaponize rumors, and maliciously mislead the public. Let it be clear: those responsible for instigating and spreading these defamatory claims will be held fully accountable, legally, morally, and shall pay for every damage they have caused.”
When an entrepreneur dares to build what has never been done before, he must first make peace with the storms that come to test his conviction. But to mistake delay for deceit is not only false — it is dangerous to truth itself. For twelve unbroken years, Sujimoto has chosen the harder path: rejecting shortcuts, defying cynicism, and building brick by brick through sleepless nights, sacrifice, and an unyielding faith that Africa deserves architecture that inspires.
The Leonardo by Sujimoto remains one of the continent’s most daring and technically sophisticated luxury developments. Ambition that vast cannot be rushed; its clock is governed not only by concrete and cranes, but by bureaucracy, tedious approvals, and an economy that shifts and strains with every policy change. No one was duped. No one was misled. Our client acted in good faith, approvals were secured last year, and though the project slowed, it was never denied, abandoned, or defrauded.

Unfortunately, some of our most honest and hard-working customers have requested refunds. Some have been patient, others aggressive — and we have honored them all.
We have never compromised. We have faced countless challenges, yet our commitment to integrity remains absolute. Beyond fulfilling contracts, we have helped our customers maximize profits through off-take agreements. Take Giuliano, for example: the first buyer purchased at ₦285 million. Today, less than six years later, the project is worth ₦2.5 billion. Rent now commands ₦100 million, fully booked and fully sold out.

When cement skyrocketed from ₦2,000 to ₦10,000, who absorbs the cost? We do. The buyer does not want to hear this, yet it is reality. During construction, steel surged from ₦500,000 to ₦1.3 million and we did not compromise. A single 40-foot container cost ₦4 million and later ₦24 million. Still, we refused shortcuts. Every brick, every beam, every detail has been delivered with integrity, despite the market’s relentless squeeze.
Every investor has been engaged directly, and those requesting refunds are being settled through a transparent, structured, and verifiable process. Meanwhile, the Lucrezia — once slowed by the same economic headwinds that rattled an entire industry — now stands on the brink of completion, set for delivery in December 2025, with every fully paid homeowner poised to receive their keys.

It is deeply concerning that public institutions are now being misused to settle civil disputes and punish enterprises. What should have remained a private contractual matter has been paraded as crime, turning law enforcement into debt collectors. Sujimoto is pursuing firm legal redress against those behind these malicious falsehoods, and those responsible shall pay for the damages they have caused.
Sujimoto is not merely a company; it is a creed — a fellowship of architects, artisans, and engineers bound by a shared pursuit of excellence. We have empowered thousands, paid over ₦7 billion in wages in the past 12 years, and built monuments that speak where falsehood falls silent.
In a nation where haste is mistaken for progress and ambition for arrogance, it has become easy to weaponize delay. Yet progress, like justice, is slow only to those who lack patience. Our only “crime” is daring to dream beyond the comfort zone of ordinary builders — and for that, we shall never apologise.

Some may not like Sujimoto — his relentless ambition, his boldness, his refusal to follow the ordinary. Some may call him loud, too forward, even audacious. Yet no one can deny his work. His projects speak for themselves — unmatched in vision, execution, and impact. To question the man is human; to question the monument he builds is impossible.
Sujimoto does not build for applause. We build for permanence. And when The Leonardo finally rises — not if, but when — it will stand as a monument to truth: proof that audacious vision outlives the noise, and that gold is forged only through fire.
Dr. Sijibomi Ogundele is the Group Managing Director of Sujimoto Holdings, the Czar of Luxury RealEstate Development, and the mastermind developer behind the renowned Giuliano. Our other audacious projects, such as the most sophisticated building in Banana Island, LucreziaBySujimoto, the grandiose Sujimoto Twin Tower, the tallest twin towers in Africa; the regal Queen Amina by Sujimoto, a monument to royal affluence; the magnificent high-rise LeonardoBySujimoto; the Sujimoto Farm; an advanced farm estate system that incorporates housing, farm hospitals, hotels, and markets within an ecosystem, creating opportunities for agro-tourism and affordable housing., among other projects that have etched an indelible imprint on Nigeria’s skylines, a testament to Sujimoto’s unrivalled mastery of modern-day engineering.

The Aare Apesinola of Ibadanland, Sir Aare Adetola EmmanuelKing KOF, has joined the sons and daughters of Ibadanland, Yorubaland, and well-wishers across Nigeria in celebrating His Imperial Majesty, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, FNSE, on the auspicious occasion of his 81st Birthday Anniversary.

In his glowing tribute, Aare EmmanuelKing described the monarch’s life as “a rare blend of divine grace, uncommon wisdom, and unflinching devotion to humanity.” He extolled the Olubadan as a leader whose humility, integrity, and fatherly compassion have defined his personal journey and endeared him to generations.

“Your 81st year is a crown of honor upon a life richly invested in service, truth, and compassion. It is the celebration of decades spent building bridges of peace, fostering unity, and safeguarding the heritage of Ibadanland. Truly, you stand as a towering symbol of Yoruba culture and an enduring inspiration to all who cherish noble values,” he said.

He further noted the divine significance of this milestone, stressing that celebrating the monarch’s 81st birthday within the period of his coronation is a historic convergence of grace and glory. “This rare alignment speaks to God’s favor upon your reign, a powerful confirmation that your life, age, and throne are woven together in destiny for the peace, unity, and prosperity of Ibadanland,” he said.

Aare Adetola Emmanuelking also emphasized that the monarch’s attainment of this octogenarian milestone is both a personal triumph and a collective blessing, reaffirming God’s abiding favor upon the throne and upon the land.

“As you mark this glorious 81st birthday, I pray that the Almighty continues to renew Your Imperial Majesty’s strength like the eagle, fill your reign with joy in abundance, and grant you the grace of long, peaceful years. May Ibadanland and the entire Yorubaland continue to flourish under your wise counsel and royal guidance,” he prayed.

He extended warm felicitations to the monarch, reaffirming his loyalty and prayers for greater glory in the years ahead.

“Happy 81st Birthday, Kabiyesi! May your days be long, peaceful, and eternally blessed. Long live the Olubadan of Ibadanland!”