Today, Saturday February 21, 2026, kings and queens are converging at the Alagbaka, Akure residence of Eddy Eniola Olafeso in commemoration of his 70th birthday. Olafeso, politician, businessman, community leader and a foremost defender of democratic principles turned 70 on Tuesday February 18 but had rightly chosen to roll out the drums of thanksgiving on this historic day, the day the Lord has made. As the cymbals are sounding and woofers are spewing forth melodies and rhapsodies, Olafeso’s mind would be mostly meandering between moments and memories.
It couldn’t have been otherwise. In these 70 years, he has been through thick and thin, experienced the good, the bad and the ugly. He has literally walked in the shadows of dangers, like most accomplished leaders and pace setters. Especially those who dream or desire a better society. That’s essential Olafeso, a conscientious personality who embodies consistent, courageous and sometimes, idealistic pursuit of egalitarian existence
In his first major public outing as President of the Students Union Government (University of Ife, Obafemi Awolowo University), he gave a good account of himself as a leader with immense potentials. Apart from his admirable physique, he also mesmerized his fans with inimitable gift of the garb. With choice diction and classy accentuations, he was always on top of his game with inspirational oratorical prowess and delightful polemical somersaults.
Perhaps, one of the most intriguing aspects of Olafeso’s biography is the effortless transition from being the symbol of students’ liberation struggles to being an iconic capitalist.
For more than two decades, he dumped the rhetorics of the soap box and embraced the rigours of corporate world. His language register changed or was overhauled. Phrases like the ‘charter of demands’ or ’emancipation struggles’ vanished. Balance sheets, annual turnover, auditted accounts or investment portfolios became the natural pick up lines in the corporate hemisphere. He was one of the big boys in DHL in those days, well noted for his exceptional dress sense and excellent marketing strategies.
It wasn’t surprising, therefore, when he teamed up with other like minds to establish Red Star Express also known as FedEx. At FedEx, his corporate profile soared as executive director, with transformational ideas. His unbeatable eloquence came to bear in the business world. He blossomed. His fame increased. So were his social contacts.
In spite of the burgeoning influence of FedEx,, he wanted more than what the logistics business could offer at that time. He wanted to explore the world. He wanted new challenges.
America beckoned. And Olafeso answered. He relocated from Nigeria. That was the beginning of another chapter in his remarkable life, a life of twists and turns, a life of ups and downs, and indeed, a life of struggles and glories. In America, Olafeso prospered. He raised a great family. He ventured into new enterprises. The Ikale boy found a home in a foreign land.
Nevertheless, fate has a way of humbling human beings. It alters well laid out plans without the consent of the architect.
Eddy Olafeso first came into the limelight through students politics. Given his uncommon capacity and propensity for mass mobilisation on the campus, one would expect a natural progression into national politics. But he chose not to. Rather, he opted for business, travelling and entrepreneurship. As hard as he tried, these activities couldn’t give him the kind of fame he gained from students politics. The name was paling into irrelevance until fate changed the game.
He returned to Nigeria and later to Okitipupa, his hometown in Ondo State, to play party politics. He joined the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Everything happened so fast. He became the State Secretary of PDP Ondo State and, soon, after, he was appointed Commissioner for Information and Orientation. Not too long after, he became the National Vice Chairman of PDP in the South West and by extension, a member of the National Working Committee, NWC of the party.
Within a short time, the Eddy Olafeso brand became a recurring decimal in national politics through contests, consensus considerations and consistent collaboration in diverse democratic projects.
Even at 70, he is bubbling with so much zest and vitality, a clear indication that he is actively engaged in what gives him Joy
What stands him out in a crowd is his consistency and tenacity of purpose. Notwithstanding the plummeting fortunes of the PDP, Olafeso has refused to abandon the party. He remains one of the few leaders of PDP that are still standing. He is standing firm, a strong balustrade unshaken by vicissitudes and internal truculence afflicting the party.
At 70, he has seen it all. His has been a life of impact anchored on character, consistency and loyalty to cherished ethos. Above all, he is an edifice reinforced by fate, faith and firmness.
This, therefore, explains why political icons, captains of industry, seasoned bureaucrats and other distinguished Nigerians are gathering today to celebrate a fulfilled life of an accomplished leader.
