Thirty-one years ago, in the heat of Lagos, I went on a long walk with my dear friend, Prince Don Pedro Okojie. From Opebi to Ikeja, we shared our dreams, our frustrations with the music industry, and the feeling of “executive emptiness” that can come even at the height of success. We dreamed of building something greater, but the path wasn’t clear.
This morning, three decades later, we found ourselves on another long walk, this time along the Thames in beautiful London—from London Bridge to Tower Bridge and back. As we walked, we reflected on that pivotal conversation in 1994 and the incredible journey that followed.
It’s a powerful reminder that life is a series of chapters. Sometimes, the bravest thing you can do is turn the page, even at the peak of your success. Leaving Nigeria in 1996 was a leap of faith, driven by a search for deeper purpose and a new beginning. It led me to a purpose-driven life I could have only imagined back then.
After our walk, over a full English breakfast at the Hilton London Bridge, I had the honour of presenting Don Pedro with a copy of my new book, where our 1994 walk is forever etched on page 251.
As we were leaving, we had the most wonderful and serendipitous moment: we bumped into the Mayor of Southwark, Councillor Sunny Lambe, who was on his way to an event in the hotel lobby. We shared a brief, warm conversation about the borough, its vibrant community, and the beauty of connection. It felt like a full-circle moment—a chance encounter that perfectly underscored our morning of reflection on life’s unexpected journeys and the new paths we find ourselves on.
The lesson? Your current chapter is not your whole story. Have the courage to ask, “What’s next?” Trust the journey, cherish the friendships that last through the decades, and never stop walking towards your purpose. You never know who you’ll meet along the way.
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