“Some Debts Cannot Be Repaid” — Gbenga Adeyinka Pays Tribute To “Mr BON” Oloketuyi At 50

Humour merchant with a long a long reach, Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, has celebrated his longtime friend and brother, Seun Oloketuyi, popularly known as Mr BON, as he clocks 50, recalling the significant role he played in his career and personal journey spanning almost three decades.

BON is Best of Nollywood, one of Nigeria’s longest-running awards, with Oloketuyi as the brain-behind.

The master of his craft, in a tribute to mark Oloketuyi’s 50th birthday, described him as “one of Nigeria’s finest mobilizers and fertile minds,” while reflecting on their early years of friendship, shared struggles and career-building.

He said his friendship with Oloketuyi had gone beyond the passage of time, noting that their journey had become intertwined with significant chapters of his own life.

“I have known this remarkable man for close to three decades, and when I look back at our journey, I realise just how much of my own story is intertwined with his,” Adeyinka testified to years of enriching friendship.

The friend of many disclosed, Oloketuyi was there at the beginning of his career and became a dependable source of connections and opportunities during his formative years.

“Seun was there at the very beginning of my career. In those early days, when I was still finding my feet, he was my plug,” he recalled.

Adeyinka also reminisced about the period when they lived together in a family BQ with Oloketuyi’s other brothers, describing it as a defining period marked by “hustle, dreams, laughter, uncertainty and hope.”

“We didn’t have all the answers, but we had each other, and somehow we kept moving,” he further disclosed.

The master entertainer acknowledged Oloketuyi’s contribution to his career, saying he connected him with people, opened doors and introduced him to opportunities at a crucial point in his journey.

“I can say without hesitation that Seun played a significant role in my career journey. He connected me, opened doors, introduced me to people and opportunities, and was there at a time when having someone who believed in you could make all the difference,” the GCFR (Grand Comedian of The Federal Republic of  Nigeria) declared.

Beyond their professional relationship, the humour merchant described Oloketuyi as a friend and brother whose impact on his life could not be measured solely by career opportunities.

Adeyinka the 1st praised Mr BON’s ability to conceive ideas, mobilise people and turn ambitious plans into reality.

“His ability to conceive ideas, set goals, bring people together and then actually break barriers to achieve those goals is remarkable. He doesn’t just see possibilities; he has an uncanny ability to get people to believe in them too,” Adeyinka stated.

Reflecting on their nearly three decades together, ‘GCFR’ said he had watched Oloketuyi “dream, build, connect, create and impact lives,” adding that he was proud to have benefited from his friend’s generosity and intellect.

Celebrating his 50th birthday, Adeyinka said, “I celebrate the man, the journey and the impact.”

And added, “I celebrate the young man who shared a BQ with us, the friend who walked the streets and chased opportunities with me, the mobilizer who could make things happen, and the brother who has remained part of my story through the years.”

Expressing gratitude for the friendship, Adeyinka said some debts were beyond monetary repayment.

“Some debts cannot be repaid with money or words; they can only be acknowledged with a grateful heart. And today, I acknowledge mine,” he admitted.

The face of stand-up comic wished Oloketuyi greater impact, bigger ideas and extraordinary opportunities in the new chapter of his life.

“May you live long enough to see many of the seeds you have planted blossom into forests,” Adeyinka prayed.

‘Adeyinka the 1st”  concluded the tribute by describing Oloketuyi as “my friend, my brother, my plug from way back,” and wished him a happy 50th birthday.