Rather than simply hosting another industry gathering, the 2025 edition of The Iconic Brand Africa (TIBA) Conference positioned itself as a rallying point for forward-thinking professionals determined to redefine business and career growth.
With the theme “Thriving in Business & Career Through Innovation & Resilience,” the conference served as a strategic hub where entrepreneurs, career leaders, and innovators examined how African professionals can rise above today’s challenges through creativity and grit.
Beyond the conversations and knowledge sessions, the conference also spotlighted outstanding achievers who embody these qualities.
Among the honourees was Linda Ochugbua, celebrated as one of the Top 10 Exceptional Professionals of the Year in Branding and Communications, in recognition of her growing influence and sector-wide contributions.
Ochugbua has over 17 years of professional experience, with 12 years in the media industry. She is currently the Digital Sales Manager at BusinessDay Media, where she oversees digital sales strategy and leads a team of sales executives and customer service representatives.
Her role includes driving digital revenue, developing digital products, and supporting business development initiatives. She also manages client relationships and introduces bespoke advertising solutions for evolving market needs.
“Receiving this award affirms the bold risks, strategic choices, and countless late nights. It reminds me why I show up fully every day, to create meaningful results, build real value, and keep stretching what’s possible in my field.” Ochugba said.
During the conference, the Founder of TIBA, Omababinrin Adeola Osideko, shared the organisation’s history and the changes that shaped its evolution.
In her welcome remarks, she said her vision for The Iconic Brand Africa came from her own journey of “persistence, learning, and growth,” and explained that after years of running an award platform, the board encouraged her to expand the mission into a wider learning and development movement.
This, she said, led to the establishment of an academy, new programmes, and a broader organisational structure aimed at supporting professionals and entrepreneurs.
In a moderated conversation, Osideko discussed personal lessons from her journey, including dealing with criticism, navigating leadership responsibilities, and managing expectations from people within and outside her team.
She stated that one of her early challenges was the belief that everyone needed to like her. She noted that she later learnt to prioritise respect over acceptance, quoting, “Do not seek to be liked, seek to be respected.”
She also spoke about online bullying, recounting a widely discussed incident that led to a legal case, and emphasised that the experience did not stop her work. Instead, it led her to shift her presence from Facebook to LinkedIn, which she described as a “safe space”.
Osideko also shared insights on building professional relevance and online presence. She encouraged participants to be real, avoid pressure, and invest in personal development, and stated that people follow value, not popularity, and urged attendees to pursue skills, mentorship, and continuous learning.
The event featured keynote sessions and panel discussions with speakers including Dr Chizor Malize, Managing Director/CEO of FITC; Ayodele Solomon, Head of Innovation at Wema Bank; Chiamaka Ige, Lead Consultant and Strategist at Advance Consulting; and Dr Precious Oshideko, Vice President Operations at Arete-Zale Consulting, among others.
