To celebrate our CEO in a very unique way, we decided to reach out to our community and ask them to say a few words about him. The result? We had a whole lot of testimonies flooding in from all over the place, [especially from our journal club].

You can leave yours in the comment section.

Knowing you has been a blessing unto me and I appreciate the day our paths crossed. You are full of energy and enthusiasm. Keep soaring higher. Happy Birthday, Sir!

Daniel Faleti (Director, INR Journal Club).

My boss, leader, “egbon”, and mentor… Your guidance has had a great influence on the way I think. The story of my nursing career journey wouldn’t be complete without mentioning how. You have changed my perspective and given me the methods I need to grow and learn. I wish you all the best today and always! Happy Birthday, Sir.

Fawole Israel (INR Liason Officer). 

A Wise Man, whom I am proud to be associated with. An Inspiration, who keeps blazing the trail in Nursing. A Blessing, who has impacted lives without number. A Leader, who keeps trying to help others become better. A Teacher, who is passionate about helping others grow. A Spirit Nurse with a heart for God. God’s gift; a reminder of God’s love. Thank you for always, Sir. You do more, You be more, and You have more. A THOUSAND TIMES MORE! I celebrate and honour you, Sir.

Idigbe Glory U. (Assistant Editor, INR).

It is a great honour to be associated with such a great star like yours. I pray you have a wonderful year filled with so much fulfilment and achievement. Happy birthday to you Leader.

Faremi V. O (INR Publicity Officer/Cohort 3).

At the INR Editorial Department, we find it pleasing to celebrate with you on your birthday, appreciating you for your sacrifices made so far to see that INR gets to her utopia. Not only this, your leadership skills like the love of God, shed abroad in our hearts, serve as a good leverage for the next generation of leaders and a lot more. We wish you a prosperous year filled with greater exploits in Christ and for Nursing! We love and celebrate you, sir.

Aduroja Damilola (for INR Editorial Department).

The Testimony of a Helped life transcends generations… for it is like the praise of God’s Work from One Generation to Another.

•It is amazing how you leave your name, not just in the heart of people but even on their lips! – no week passes without me not mentioning your name or quoting something you’ve once said – Your Impact in my space is undeniable and has caused me to live each day full of gratitude to God.

•Thank you sir for constantly raising the bar; just when we thought we understood greatness and excellence, you come again with another measure that keeps us searching and digging! And here we are today, BETTER MEN!

•Happy Birthday SENIOR. May the Good Lord cause you to daily increase, especially in Wisdom, and keep you in Influence, Relevance & Purpose In JESUS Name. Most Warm & Sincere Wishes…

Peter Alabi (INR Journal Club Coordinator).

I celebrate an icon in Nursing, a selfless leader per excellence, a mentor, a man of high value, CEO, Institute of Nursing Research, Nigeria – Mr Oluwadamilare Akingbade. Serving with you has been a great blessing… I pray that; Your existence is preserved, your relevance is preserved, nations come to your rising, kings and queens serve you, your dreams are established and you receive the capacity for greater achievements…

Arowosegbe Mabel (INR Chaplain/Journal club zonal Coordinator).

Happy birthday to a visionary leader, your guidance and mentorship are inspiring…

Marindoti D C (INR Chaplain).

Happy birthday to an excellent leader, your life is a positive example to us in career, research, ministry and marriage. I celebrate you, sir, thanks for modelling Christ to us… I pray as you age, so shall your strength be. The Lord bless and keep you, Sir. Happy birthday to you Sir. 

Ajiboye Carolyn (Cohort 1).

You have been an amazing elder brother, friend and leader. Your intentionality towards our growth in all spheres is commendable. Thank you for being a true leader, you are one in a million, very rare. You are God’s sent to us, and we do not take your availability and presence for granted. Your jar of oil will never run dry, and God’s lamp will continue to light your path. Happy Birthday, Sir.

Okunola Rhoda (Cohort 2).

He is a kind person. He is willing to impart knowledge, most especially when it has to do with research. He loves the Lord, and he has mastered the act of selflessness.

Olowu Oluwafisayomi (Cohort 3).

Great people are often identified by their unique ways of exercising humility which is a foundational pathway to greatness. Being visionary and seeing to it that such vision comes to reality is a legacy worthy of all appreciation.

Thanks to Dr Akingbade Oluwadamilare for being such a great mentor, leader and father since our paths crossed. You made me see that I can become and do much more. Thanks so much for believing in me. Wishing you a beautiful new year, with your light shining brighter across the globe.

Nun Damilola (Cohort 3).

Your special day is the perfect opportunity to thank you for inspiring and supporting us through the passage of life and our research career as much as you wonderfully do. Not many people balance it all but you do an amazing job. Not only are you a visionary, but you are a great teacher, an analytical wiz, a compassionate mentor and above all, a great leader. We are glad you sustained one more year! Happy birthday sir. We love you.

Oyama Blessed (cohort 4).

Nurse Akingbade is a selfless man who derives joy in seeing younger nurses grow. The few years I’ve known him have been full of growth on all sides. Thank you for always having time for us. I pray that this new year ushers you blessings.

Ogunleye Aduragbemi (Cohort 1).

To a leader whose light not only shines but has consistently influenced his flocks to shine as well.Thank you for being a blessing to us. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, OUTSTANDING LEADER AND MENTOR!

Onyenaemeliteobi Chioma (Cohort 5).

Thank you for your heart of gold, and for the privilege of mentorship, support, and encouragement. I appreciate your hard work and never giving up on us, even over the Institute of Nursing Research, Nigeria and globally. Thank you for fueling our passion, we are grateful to God for raising such a leader as you. Happy Birthday, Sir! Many happy returns!!!

Adepegba Folashade (Cohort 2).

Happy birthday to you Sir. Wishing you many happy returns with sound and vitality health. More power to your elbow Sir.

Aliyu Danjuma (Cohort 1&2).

Happy birthday Nr. Akingbade Damilare. You are such a treasure to young nurses. Thank you for creating a platform for us to learn and develop a passion for nursing research. You will keep shining like the star you are, and your name will be mentioned in key places all over the world. God bless you.

Igunma Helena Chisom (Cohort 3).

Happy Birthday to Bro Damilare Akingbade; a friend, research mentor and teacher. Learning for me, is life-long and my persistent commitment towards research led me to an amazing, selfless, proactive and genuine Damilare whose academic goals and vision incline strongly with mine, especially INTEGRITY. 

Bro Damilare has been involved in my academic pursuit (Master in Education, Master in Nursing and “ongoing Phd”). 

Despite the cultural and professional shock we experienced when I relocated to Canada (with my family) at the peak of COVID, he communicated continuously and ensured I stood strong. 

Thank you for drilling (prepping) me for various pre and post-research defences. The recent U o M version was a walkover for me. 

In all, I am thankful for these gifts that impact us all, for your lovely family and healthy life of yours. Happy Birthday to my brother from Christ Jesus.

O.T (Cohort 1&2).

We are proud and ever remain indebted to him for being an icon in mentoring young researchers. I beseech God to grant him the grace and grit for him to aspire more in life. Kudos.

Mr. Aminu Abdulmajeed (Cohort 1).

It’s never too late to celebrate an exceptional leader, mentor, scientist, researcher, father, innovator and nursing icon.

If you have been touched by the work(s) of our amiable Chief Executive Officer, kindly drop your testimonies [and wishes] in the comment box below.

P.S. – Editor’s Note:

Some of the testimonies and wishes have been slightly edited for clarity [and uniformity of language]. And comments will also be edited [if we have any reasons to].