Royal honour for Richard Abiodun as he marks 50th birthday with charity initiatives

Michael Olumide

Chief Richard Adegboyega Abiodun, a renowned philanthropist, accomplished technology security expert and marketing communications professional, has been installed as the Amona of Ojoduland by His Royal Majesty, Oba Samuel Shobowale-Benson, the Olojodu of Ojoduland, during an elaborate traditional ceremony held in Lagos.

The installation coincided with Chief Abiodun’s 50th birthday celebration, making the occasion a double celebration of honour, achievement and service to humanity.

Chief Abiodun is the Founder and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Beta Bridges Limited (BBL) and Beta Bridges Training Institute (BBTI), organisations that have distinguished themselves in security technology, professional training and business development.

Speaking during the installation ceremony, the Olojodu of Ojoduland, HRM Oba Samuel Shobowale-Benson (Onigbakule Lubajo I), said the decision to confer the prestigious traditional title on Chief Abiodun was informed by his outstanding professional accomplishments, philanthropic engagements and commitment to youth and community development.

According to the monarch, Chief Abiodun has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and integrity throughout his career and humanitarian activities.

“He is a leading light in the tracking industry, known for finding what is lost and discovering better solutions. When I considered who should occupy the revered traditional stool of Amona in Ojoduland, Chief Richard Adegboyega Abiodun met every requirement. Today, I have installed him alongside his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Bolajoko Abiodun, as Yeye Amona of Ojoduland, to join the Council of Chiefs as we continue to promote peace, development and progress in our kingdom,” the monarch stated.

The event attracted an impressive gathering of traditional rulers, government officials, security chiefs, religious leaders, captains of industry, media personalities, family members and well-wishers.

Delivering the keynote remarks, the Commandant of the Police College, Ikeja, AIG Omolara Oloruntoba, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Ajanaku, described Chief Abiodun as an exemplary leader whose life has positively impacted countless individuals.
He noted that the celebration went beyond marking another birthday, saying it recognised a man whose humility, generosity, leadership and commitment to humanity have earned him widespread admiration.

“Chief Richard has demonstrated that true success is measured not merely by personal achievements but by the positive impact one makes in the lives of others. His contributions to his community, his people and society are evident in the calibre of personalities gathered here today to celebrate him,” he said.

The police representative also recalled Chief Abiodun’s days at the Police College, where he served as the G1 overall head of his set, providing exceptional leadership that resulted in several landmark projects and quality administrative reforms.

On behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, he congratulated the celebrant on attaining the milestone age of 50 and prayed for greater wisdom, prosperity, sound health and continued success.

Responding, Chief Abiodun expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and enabling him to overcome numerous challenges.

Reflecting on his life’s journey, he described his story as one of resilience, determination and divine grace.

“It is not everyone who enjoys the privilege of turning life’s challenges into success while remaining alive, healthy and still making progress. Since life threw me into chaos at a tender age, I have learnt that even mistakes can produce great designs. I am grateful to God for enabling me to rise above adversity and positively impact many lives over the past 50 years,” he said.

He paid glowing tribute to his late parents, High Chief S.I. Abiodun, the last Obaji-Odo of Ise-Ekiti and second-in-command to the Oba Arinjale of Ise-Ekiti, and his late mother, Mrs. J.F. Abiodun, for laying the foundation for his life’s journey.
Chief Abiodun also appreciated members of his family, friends, associates and mentors who believed in him, while reserving special appreciation for his wife, Chief (Mrs.) Bolajoko Abiodun, whom he described as his unwavering pillar of support.

“Gratitude remains my attitude. Forgiveness is my watchword, while continuous learning and striving to become better every day keep me going. Even the adversities I encountered became the motivation that shaped my destiny. Today, everything makes sense as I celebrate 50 years of God’s faithfulness,” he declared.

The celebration later transformed into a grand reception attended by four prominent monarchs from Lagos and Ogun States, including the host monarch, HRM Oba Samuel Shobowale-Benson, the Olojodu of Ojoduland; Oba Engr. Sulaiman Adekunle Bamgbade, the Olofin of Isheri Mole and Adimula of Awori Kingdom; Oba Dr. Olukunmi Olusesan Akingbola Ikudoro, the Olu of Oregun Kingdom; and Oba Shakirudeen Adeshina Kuti, the Elewu of Ewuland.

Also present were several traditional chiefs from Lagos and Ogun States, senior ministers of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), business executives, media professionals and notable figures from the entertainment industry.

Beyond the festivities, Chief Abiodun marked his golden jubilee with a series of humanitarian interventions through the Adegboyega Richard Abiodun (ARA) Foundation.

As part of the initiatives, the foundation donated hospital beds, mattresses, pillows, bed sheets, pillowcases, ceiling fans, reception chairs and wall clocks to the Primary Health Centre in Ojodu.

The foundation also visited the Fowowe Memorial Orphanage in Oke-Ira, Ogba, where food items, medical supplies, toiletries and diapers were distributed to vulnerable and abandoned children.

Earlier in the month, Chief Abiodun sponsored a cancer awareness campaign and outreach programme across the Ikorodu axis in memory of his late mother, who died from cancer several years ago.

Before establishing Beta Bridges in 2013, Chief Abiodun built an outstanding professional career, leading marketing and communications projects for major organisations including MTN, Wema Bank, Globacom, Conoil, Pfizer, Coca-Cola, UBA, Maersk and Procter & Gamble.

He later served as Head of Business Development and Marketing at Halogen Security before venturing into entrepreneurship with the establishment of Beta Bridges, now a Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC)-licensed company.

A respected communications professional, Chief Abiodun is a member of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), formerly APCON, and the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN).

Widely respected for his commitment to charity and community service, the newly installed Amona of Ojoduland continues to devote his time and resources to initiatives that improve lives and promote sustainable community development while balancing family life with his wife, Bola, and their two sons.