For Nigeria to make quantum leaps of progress out of this current situation where she finds herself, she needs a critical mass of men and women like Dr. Ayo Ogunsan who will dot her different spheres of human lifestyle and national development. These are men and women who will take leadership in education, health, media, security, business, politics, not just because of what they stand to gain but what they stand to give. This value orientation of giving forward to going forward is the model life that is recommended for multi-sectoral national development.
For Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, Grace is what makes the difference not so much what a man can do in and by himself for ‘by the arm of strength shall no man prevail’. He is an embodiment of Grace and that’s why he uses all avenues available to him to boldly acclaim his faith as the source of his rise in life. He made it known at the 2nd Anniversary of an NGO he floated alongside his siblings that since his teenage years, ‘I have been a preacher of righteousness. It is my commission since I gave my life to Christ. So whether you appoint me or not, it is part of my package as a Christian.’ He is renowned as the apostle of the Gospel in the marketplace.
Ogunsan and his security prowess
He has a firm belief that a society that doesn’t rank its security officers highly should not expect wonders from such. You cannot give what you don’t have. An officer that is not well-resourced, well-trained, and well-motivated will only deliver a poor service. He noted at a PCRC award ceremony that ‘security becomes effective when citizens understand that their lives and livelihood depends on it. At that instance, we don’t point fingers at a small group of people to say ‘they are responsible. We will see all of us as responsible for our security.’ I am known for societal development and peace-building, I will remain so by the Grace of God’.
This stance is what drives his unflinching commitment, momentous push, and optimal support to the vision and mission of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) as Board Member. He plays this frontline role with every sense of responsibility and dedication. The records of successes of the LSSTF in the past years are there for all to see. The LSSTF has become a template for other support initiatives like it nationwide. These include the Police Trust Fund, the Kogi State Security Trust Fund, among others.In certain quarters, he is fondly called the civilian IGP of Police because of his massive impact in the scheme of things. He is deeply passionate about the welfare of Police officers being the first line of contact to maintaining civil law and order and internal security within the country. The members of the other security agencies like the Nigerian Armed Forces, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), NSCDC, FRSC, LASTMA, LNSA, and so on are also greatly impacted by his influence on leadership.
It is this track record that warmed him into the heart of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to announce him as the Chairman of its anti-cultism initiative, POCACOV in Lagos State. In his acceptance of his role, Dr. Ayo Ogunsan hinted: ‘In this role, I want to preach love to the cultists. I have been a preacher of righteousness. It is my commission since I gave my life to Christ. So whether you appoint me or not, it is part of my package as a Christian.’
The Chairman of Executive Group, Dr. Ogunsan assured that his strategy as Chairman of POCACOV in Lagos will be to shower love on cultists not the act of cultism. ‘Our own is the raiding of love. We will give them food, shelter, etc. The Police will do the police work but I am called to do the policing of love.’
Ogunsan and his cutting edge business insights
As a business executive, Ogunsan is at the head of a global conglomerate, the Executive Group, a multi-million dollar investment with dynamic interests in diverse sectors of the economy. The Executive Group comprises the Executive Trainers Ltd, Executive Education Consulting Ltd, Executive Motors Ltd, and Executive Voyage and Logistics Ltd. The display of hands-on leadership, effective management principles, and staunch commitment to service continues to put the business enterprise on the trajectory of forward and upward mobility.
Enjoying the massive support of his loving wife, Dr. Mrs. Ajoke Ogunsan who goes about the day-to-day administration of this vast conglomerate, Dr. Ayo is freed to focus on pushing the organization forward into new climes of impact. He envisions new policies, he meets new people, he speaks to new audiences and this has ensured that the organization continues to grow in leaps and bounds.
Ogunsan and his philanthropy
Alongside his siblings, he floated the AKEM Foundation in honor of their late parents, Engr. Akinola and Mrs. Emiola Ogunsan, dedicated exclusively to giving children with no chance at education the opportunity to do so. From supporting 4 schools to getting the vulnerable children into the classes in the inaugural year, they have grown the numbers to 8 and are poised to double the numbers in their third year.
Some of the NGOs and schools that benefitted from AKEM Foundation this 2024 and have been assured of continued support that they are already on the beneficiary list of the charity organizations include Christ Light Mission for the Deaf, Heritage Homes, Synergy Care Development Initiative, GEM Foundation International, WALL Foundation, Citadel of Grace Orphanage, Best Spring Orphanage, Smiles Initiative for Orphans and Vulnerable Children, Samdok Schools, and RACO Orphanage.
Ogunsan and his engagement in education
Dr. Ayo Ogunsan is a speaker in many forums. He also provides hands-on mentorship to many young business people informally through his various interactions with them in which they glean valuable lessons and formally with young professionals under the Young Executive Forum (YEF) filled with dedicated and serious-minded individuals.
It is this influence that made Nigeria’s foremost university, University of Lagos to announce him as a board member of their Centre of Digital Humanities, University of Lagos (CEDHUL). ‘You have been appointed as a Member of the Advisory Board of the Centre of our Digital Humanities, University of Lagos (CEDHUL). This appointment is a key component of the university policy of connecting ‘Town and Gown’ and in line with international best practice that will enable our students and scholars to benefit from the skills and experience of successful industry players, public officers, experienced mentors, and career coaches.’
With this appointment into this non-executive position at the university, CEDHUL ‘looks forward to your counsel, support, and goodwill towards our academic, research, and community service mandate’, the university don Prof. Tunde Ope-Davies urged Dr. Ayo Ogunsan.
Ogunsan and his vast array of awards
In a country where Awards, Chieftaincy, PhDs, titles and other commendations are for the highest bidders on a cash and carry basis, having someone with many awards like Ogunsan’s would almost cast a doubt in your mind. But not for him, all awards accorded him are deserving.
From the award as International Peace Advocate by the United Nations Positive Livelihood Award Centre Foundation (UN-POLAC) to the Golden Star Award for Security and Safety Advocacy in West Africa by the Africa Security Watch Awards to the Pan African Youth Role Model by the Coalition of Continental Youth for Thought Leadership and Institutional Development (CYTLID) presented at the official book launch of the highly publicized book on Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu titled ‘THE ICONIC Bola Ahmed Tinubu: An Inspiration to African Youths’ authored by two young media gladiators, Oki Samson and Abayomi Oyelami in 2023 to mention but a few of his accolades.
Whether from small or big organizations, publicly renown or little known organizations, Ogunsan will scrutinize and ensure that the organizers of the award are inclined to his standards, values and belief systems. This is because integrity stands lofty on his ethos for living.
The National Coordinator of POCACOV, CSP Olabisi Okuwobi speaking on how they decided that Dr. Ayo Ogunsan is eminently qualified for the Chairman’s role said: ‘It is a careful decision made by the agency because there was thorough profiling. Dr. Ayo Ogunsan came as clean as it could be’.
Moving forward
With his strong foundation built on ethics, values, and love for community and nation building, Dr. Ogunsan is primed for more prudential roles in governance, either in executive arm or legislative arm of government. He is a champion for innovative leadership and developmental politics which will lead to veritable national development providing the greatest good for the greatest number of the people.