In a heartfelt letter, Associate Professor Kayode Ogunjobi, author of the acclaimed autobiography ‘Echoes of Mercy ‘ and CEO of ValidViewNetwork, has expressed profound appreciation to Mr. James Makinde for the donation of two copies of the book to each of the tertiary institutions across Ogun State, Nigeria.
In his letter, Ogunjobi wrote:
“I am writing to express my profound gratitude for your generous and strategic donation of two copies of my autobiography, Echoes of Mercy, to each of the tertiary institutions across Ogun State, Nigeria.”
He emphasized that the gesture represents far more than a gift:
“What you have done goes far beyond the act of giving books. I consider it as a deliberate investment in knowledge, values, and the future of young minds. Through this gesture, you have metamorphosed from being a respected colleague and cherished friend into a vision enabler and capacity builder of exceptional repute.”
Describing the impact of Makinde’s initiative, Ogunjobi added:
“It is deeply humbling to know that the content of the book resonated with you in such a way that you not only encouraged me as the author but also chose to champion its message by placing it within the reach of countless students and educators. This singular act of thoughtfulness and foresight has undoubtedly expanded the reach and impact of the vision behind the book.”
Ogunjobi, a Fellow of the Forestry Association of Nigeria (FFAN), further encouraged others to document their personal stories and extended an invitation for future collaborations:
“If you or someone you love would want to document their autobiography, I would be honoured to help document and preserve it. Everyone’s life is a unique tapestry of experiences, and I believe those stories deserve to be shared and remembered.”
He concluded with a blessing:
“May the Lord continue to reward your kindness, enlarge your influence, and cause His mercy to echo continually in your life.”
Meanwhile, in response to the donation, several tertiary institutions across Ogun State acknowledged the thoughtful gesture with commendation.
Mr. Emmanuel K. Igban, Registrar, Covenant University, Ota wrote:
“We are delighted to receive copies of Echoes of Mercy for our library. It is an inspiring work that aligns with the vision of Covenant University to raise a new generation of leaders. Our students will benefit greatly from its spiritual depth, moral clarity, and real-life lessons. We commend Mr. James Makinde for this laudable initiative.”
Professor Owolabi K. Abayomi, University Librarian of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), stated:
“The book will be of great benefit to our various users. This laudable and thoughtful gesture of yours will thus help to advance the frontiers of knowledge and promote reading culture among our students.”
Mr. David O. Oyejide, Registrar of Trinity University, also wrote on behalf of the University:
“On behalf of the University Management, Staff and Students, I write to appreciate your generous donation of two (2) copies of the autobiography ‘Echoes of Mercy’ authored by your friend and colleague, Associate Professor Kayode Ogunjobi FFAN, to our University library. The University is thankful for your kindness and commitment to supporting education, scholarship, and human capacity development.”
He further remarked:
“I believe the donation of the books ‘Echoes of Mercy’ will undoubtedly enrich our library collection and benefit our staff and students as a source of inspiration and hope for living. Please, be assured that the donated books will be properly catalogued and made available for use of the University Community.”
“Please, accept the best regards of our Vice-Chancellor, Prof. C. O. O. Kolawole, PhD, MNAE, FIE, FCLMI,” Oyejide concluded.
James Adeniran Makinde, who believes that everything he has become is by the mercy and grace of God Almighty, is a proud son of Kosofe Local Government, Lagos State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Cranfield University, UK and the University of Manchester, UK. He is a General Manager in a leading Oil and Gas company in Nigeria.
This donation by Mr James Makinde and the heartfelt responses from leading academic institutions underscore the transformative power of storytelling. As Echoes of Mercy continues to reach libraries and hearts, its message of hope, faith, and resilience is sure to leave a lasting imprint on the next generation of thinkers, leaders, and change-makers, ValidViewNetwork reports
