Tolu Ogunkoya, You Are Too Good To Lose – Industry Leaders, Stakeholders Mourn

IMC Industry leaders and stakeholders are mourning the sudden departure of a great practitioner, Tolu Ogunkoya, who passed on recently in the United Kingdom.
Ogunkoya was the Managing Director and chief executive officer of Media Reach OMD and the Regional Group Managing Director, of OMD West, and Central Africa.
At a point, he operated as the Regional Managing Director of Omnicom Media Group with offices in Lagos, Accra, and Cameroon and partner offices in three other locations across West & Central Africa. He was overseeing 2 large Media Companies- Media Reach OMD and PHD Media, most probably the biggest media agency Network in West & Central Africa.
Ogunkoya graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree in Political Science from the University of Ilorin. He subsequently pursued an advertising career which kicked off at Insight Grey, followed by SO&U. He also spent a large part of his professional life with Media Reach OMD
He also served as the President of MIPAN (Media Independents Practitioners Association of Nigeria). Ogunkoya was elevated to the highest grade of professionalism in advertising when he was inducted as a Fellow Registered Practitioner in Advertising (frpa) by APCON in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the advertising industry – as a player, education resource person, etc. He served on the APCON Council until his death.
When the Federal Government saw that Audience Measurement was our missing link in the entire information and communication ecosystem, they inaugurated a 15-man Audience Measurement Taskforce through the Ministry of Information and Culture. The task force was led by the indefatigable Tolu Ogunkoya as Chairman
Other members of the task force include Steve Bababeko, Femi Adelusi, Bunmi Adeniba, Jibe Ologeh, Yinka Oduniyi, Guy Murray-Bruce, Pauline Ehusani, Kadaria Ahmed, Obi Asika, Garba Bello-Kankarofi, Ijedi Iyoha, Sa’a Ibrahim and Joe Mutah.
From all the encomiums and comments of industry leaders below it is obvious that the industry has lost a rare gem.
Femi Adelusi, CEO of Brand Eye and President, the Media Independent Association of Nigeria (MIPAN)
A shining example of dedication and excellence.
We lost an icon, a mentor, a role model, a brother, and a friend. My former boss who I still call boss Mr Tolu Ogunkoya has passed sadly. Who are we to question his maker who allowed it? We give God the glory for a life of impact. He was a shining example of dedication, professionalism, and excellence. The marketing communications industry in Nigeria and indeed Africa has lost a very rare gem, not many have his type of business and leadership DNA. It was indeed a pleasure for me to know Mr Tolu Ogunkoya and to have served, learned, and lead under his watch. I will surely miss you. May his soul find rest in the bosom of our almighty God. Amen.
STEVE BABAEKO CEO X3M Ideas and President, AAAN

Influential and charismatic industry leader
Apart from his pivotal role in the entrenchment of Media Independence in Nigeria, Tolu was a very influential and charismatic industry leader. He was a mentor to many and unarguably one of the leading lights of Marketing Communication in Africa.
I had the privilege of working with him directly as a member of the Audience Measurement Task Force set up by the Honourable Minister of Information, he was our Chairman and his leadership style was exemplary.
This is a huge loss for the marketing industry in Nigeria and Africa. Our prayers are with his family at this difficult time.
SOJI ODEDINA, CEO, FKMarketing
A rude reawakening to our mortality.
Tolu’s passing is a rude shock to everyone in the industry. A rude reawakening to our mortality.
The beautiful thing, even as we mourn Tolu, is that he left a big legacy of achievement behind as a frontline Practitioner in Marketing Communications.
Tolu will want us to raise the banner higher, in his memory. We must commit to doing just that before our own time shall come.
Rest in Peace Tolu
Lampe Omoyele, Managing Director, Nitro121

A major driver of the growth of the media independents sector
The passing of Tolu Ogunkoya is shocking and sad. A great loss to the marketing, advertising, and media industry. Tolu was a pioneer and major driver of the growth of the media-independent sector and delivered outcomes that mirrored his tall physical frame. A leader par excellence. He’s left giant strides on the sands of time and his memory is blessed. We pray that God comforts his family and all loved ones.
Mr. Tunji Adeyinka, GMD Republicom & EXMAN President
He lived a fulfilled life
He was very hardworking and personable. He was someone who believed in building young people. If you look at a lot of people in the Media Planning business who have come through the MediaReach school, you’ll find out that they are very expansive. Late Ogunkoya lived a fulfilled life.
As an association (EXMAN), just as we did when we were starting the press conference with a one-minute silence, we have sent our condolences to MIPAN, his family, and his business associates as well.
Kehinde Salami, CEO Ideas House Marketing Comm. Ltd.

He was an Excellent mentor
I have two marketing mentors in this country and in Africa, Mr. George Thorpe and Mr. Ogunkoya. So one of my mentors has gone home to rest. So you can imagine what it means to me.
Secondly, throughout my marketing career in Nigeria, he has allowed me space into his space and he has helped me settle. He is the foremost media practitioner in Nigeria. He has won all the awards. I learned so much from him. With his compassion, dedication to service, professionalism, focus, his integrity, he is going to be very difficult to replace.
The media and the entire marketing and communication industry have lost one of the very finest professionals. I am going to miss Mr. Tolu. I am going to miss him immensely. I am deeply saddened by this loss. Sleep well, sir. The entire industry- Media Reach is going to miss him. There is nobody like Mr. Tolu. If you know the number of people that have built a career under his leadership in Media Reach, you will agree that he was an excellent mentor.
May his soul(Mr Tolu Ogunkoya) rest in the bosom of The Almighty, Amen