Academy Press honours former MD

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Academy Press Plc on Wednesday honoured its former Managing Director, Mr Olugbenga Ladipo, at a send-off ceremony attended by board members, employees, business partners, clients and family members in Lagos.

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The event, held at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Ikeja, celebrated Ladipo’s years of service and his contributions to the growth and transformation of one of the country’s leading printing and publishing companies.

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Speaking at the event, the Managing Director of the company, Mrs Kemi Ogunnubi, commended Ladipo’s leadership and role in shaping the organisation.

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She described the occasion as both celebration and reflection, noting that his tenure left a lasting impact on the company.

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“Mr Ladipo has not just led this company; he has shaped it. Many of us have worked closely with him and have been inspired by his dedication, vision and leadership style,” she said.

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Tributes from board members, employees, clients and business associates focused on his leadership style, which many described as calm, principled and people-centred.

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Chairman of Academy Press Plc, Mr Babatunde Dabiri, said Ladipo’s tenure demonstrated that effective leadership extends beyond business performance.

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“Leadership is not just about results; it is also about the manner in which those results are achieved. Mr Ladipo led with integrity, patience and dignity, and the organisation is better for it,” he said.

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Several speakers credited Ladipo with helping the company navigate challenging economic conditions, including foreign exchange constraints, technological changes and shifting market realities.

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They also highlighted his commitment to mentorship, staff welfare and stakeholder engagement.

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Representing employees, the Union President of Academy Press Plc, Mr Solomon Olurakaye, said staff members felt respected and valued under Ladipo’s leadership.

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“He treated everyone with dignity, regardless of status. Staff members felt heard under his leadership, and that made a difference,” he said.

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Business partners also paid tribute to the outgoing executive. Managing Director of Learn Africa, Alhaji Bala, said Ladipo built enduring partnerships based on trust and professionalism, while other stakeholders described him as transparent, dependable and solution-oriented.

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In his remarks, Ladipo expressed appreciation to the board, management, staff, clients, vendors, friends and family members who supported him throughout his career.

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“I am deeply grateful for this honour. No one succeeds alone. Whatever we achieved at Academy Press was the result of collective effort, commitment and the support of many people gathered here today,” he said.

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The ceremony concluded with presentations and goodwill messages from stakeholders, many of whom said Ladipo’s influence would continue to be felt within the organisation long after his departure from office.

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Ladipo is widely credited with steering Academy Press through a period of economic uncertainty while driving operational improvements and strengthening the company’s position within Nigeria’s printing industry.

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