“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop”. This quote summarized the journey of a Nigerian, an Ibadan born journalist identified as Musliudeen Atanda Adebayo, who rises from nothing to something.
Mr. Musliudeen, who revealed his life journey during his 40th birthday celebration through a book titled “Defying Expectations: My Story of Perseverance from Conductor to Journlist,” is a correspondence to a Nigerian Newspaper, DAILY POST.
The event, which was glamoured with dignitaries across Oyo State and Nigeria as a whole, occurred on Sunday, April 20, 2025, at Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat Iyaganku, Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital.
The author, in his welcome address, expressed gratitude to God for transforming his life journey from that of a conductor to a journalist, and for sparing his life.
He also urged both the state and federal governments to recommend the book in secondary schools to ensure that children in schools have access to his books, which he believes will positively influence and inspire the younger generation and generations yet unborn.
He added that the book traces his struggles as an orphan and how he sailed through the hurdles and worked as a bus conductor at CMS Park 4 Marina Lagos between August 2004 and February 2009 so as to attain university education.
“It is certain that behind every success story, there are many ups and downs, challenges and obstacles confronted in the course of accomplishing the goals, it is against this background that I present to the public today “Defying Expectations: My Story of Perseverance from Conductor to Journalist”, a book authored by me which chronicles my struggles in the last 40 years.
“I want to use this medium to appeal to the Oyo State government and the Federal Government to recommend this book to all secondary school students so as to learn the art of perseverance, resilience and consistency which continued to keep me going this far”. He added
The book reviewer, Professor Rahman Akinoso, while reviewing the book, described the book as a ‘work of art’ with 166 pages and 13 chapters. He added that the piece narrated a journey from challenges to successes defying all odds through perseverance. He said the writing pattern embraces clear, plain and understandable choice of words with pictorial illustrations strategically positioned for clear messages.
He further recommended that the book is suitable to encourage teenagers on the importance of perseverance in the pursuit for growth. He said the book is more a story book beneficial to youths of secondary school age, adding that real names should be replaced with fictitious name to suit usage in school and avoid ethical violations in book reading.
NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Ademola Babalola, noted that the author had chronicled his experiences and growth and picked his 40th birthday as a significant period to launch it.
He commended the celebrant for taking cognate steps to defy all odds and embrace formal education. He said despite earning daily from bus conductor, he has a direction about his life. He described Musliudeen as one of the active members of the journalistic union who is well connected, hardworking, dogged, zealous and committed to his job.
The event was graced by the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olarenwaju, the Chairman of Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria and Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Alhaji Oyekunle Oyetunji, Minister of Power, Chief Adebayo Adelabu who was represented by Comrade Femi Awogboro, Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Akinloye Owolabi Olakulehin who was represented by his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Solomon Olugbemiga Ayoade, Chief Executive Officer of Eternal Home Cemetery, Dr Adebukola Kadiri, National President of Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW) Alhaji Mashood Mustapha, NUJ Chairman, Alhaji Ademola Babalola, Professor Yemisi Lydia Olaleye who was represented by Mrs Yunus Ayandoye and the Chief Executive Officer of Fire Academy of Nigeria, Professor Afolabi Charles Israel. 
Others are the Book Reviewer, Professor Rahman Akinoso, Guest Lecturer, Dr Bayonle Busari, Grand Chief Imam of Ogbomosoland, Imam Yunus Olushina Teliat Ayilara who was represented by Alfa Abdurazaq Ajibade, Dr Kazeem Adeleke, Coordinator of International Institute of Journalism, Ibadan campus, Alhaji Bolaji Kareem, Deputy Director of Continuous Education Centre (CEC), The Polytechnic, Ibadan, Alhaji Najeem Adunola, Mr James Anthony Olountoyin, Secretary, NBA Ibadan Branch, Ibrahim Kareem-Ojo, Secretary, Mr Abiodun Azeez, Dr Suraj Amusat, Publicity Secretary of Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Mr Kola Olomide, NASoW National Treasurer, Folasade Ogungbire, National President of Muslim Media Practitioners of Nigeria, Alhaji Abdulrahman Balogun and NUJ State Treasurer, Mr Akeem Abas, Executive Director of Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) Professor Ishaq Akintola who was represented by Barrister Abdulwaheed Lawal and Editor in Chief of Legit online newpapar, Mr Rahman Abiola.
Other dignitaries at the event are Special Adviser on Islamic Affairs to governor Seyi Makinde, Alhaji Abbdulraseed Abdulazeez, Chairman of Nigeria Association of Social Workers (NASoW), Oyo State chapter, Mr Adegoke Ayodele, former NUJ B zone National Trustee, Elder Adebayo Akamo, former Chairman of Correspondents’ chapel, Elder Kemi Olaitan, Chairman, Correspondents’ chapel, Mr Raji Adebayo, Special Adviser on Media to Senator Yunus Akintunde, Mr Kunle Olatunji, Mr. Taoheed Oladejo and the head of Alawode Adebayo lineage from Daramola compound in Ita Baale Ori Okiti in Ibadan, Mr Kazeem Akande Adebayo. 
The rest are Islamic clerics among who whom are Alfa Abdulrahman Faleti, Alhaji Ismail Busari and Alfa Nurudeen Abdulfatai, paternal and maternal families of the author from Oyo and Osun States, members of Legacy Stars of Ibadan, Ibadan Mega Voice, University of Jos Alumni Association, Nigeria Association of Social Workers, NUJ and Correspondents’ chapel.
However, the author urge the general public that both the hard and e-copy of “Defying Expectations: My Story of Perseverance from Conductor to Journalist” are ready. Interested persons are expected to contact through telephone numbers; +2348138044276 and +2348124571937 or email address; uniquemusliudeen@gmail.com or X; @musliudeen or LinkedIn; https://www.linkedin.com/in/musliudeen-adebayo-37704030″.