July 22 1959 - July 06 2020

Richie Dayo Johnson or RDJ as he was fondly called, was a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, experiential consultant and coach on Appearance, Behaviour and Communication. His vast practical knowledge of the Anglo/African environment spans three decades and has worked with a mix of clients ranging from radio, television, corporate organisations, politicians, the military and governments.

Some of his recent satisfied corporate and high net-worth individuals on three continents include the former Governor of Lagos, Akinwunmi Ambode, former governor Babatunde Fashola, his deputy and the entire cabinet, Nigerian Presidential Candidate in 2011, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Nigerian Breweries, Exxon-Mobil, England & Wales Cricket Board, NHS, YMCA, HSBC, British Food Standards Agency, Citigroup, MTN, Access Bank, LASAA, The Wheatbaker, LEAP Africa, Windsor Fellowship, Daystar Christian Centre, RCCG Nigeria, UK & Ireland, Terra Kulture, Diana, The Princess of Wales Fund, Commonwealth Business Council, Nottingham County Council, Peace Alliance, UK, London, Islington Business Education, Stonebridge HAT, London Boroughs of Barking & Dagenham, Brent, Wandsworth, Sutton and Croydon.

Based on the dictum that there is something good in everyone and it is the foundation upon which all other great values can be built, RDJ led with a heart aplenty with “hands-on” experience and pragmatic common sense.

An alumnus of the prestigious University of Teesside, Middlesbrough, England, RDJ was a Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, a certified coach and an accomplished and certified advanced Toastmaster. He worked at GEC, Newton Aycliffe, County Durham and IBM London before becoming Deputy Managing Director of Universal Communications Group - publishers The Job Paper, London. He spent over 3 years at different locations in Europe as one of the key strategists and presenters on Radio Kudirat – the voice of democracy during the tyrannical years of military despotism in Nigeria. He was also Chairman, Southwark Community Businesses in South London during the inner-city regeneration of the 90’s by the British Government.

RDJ was a lead judge on a weekly television reality programme: “The Debaters” – Oratory, the Power to Change, watched all over the African continent and beyond by millions of viewers. He was the Charter President of Croydon Toastmasters and a past Area Governor, East Surrey and Kent of the esteemed international organisation on effective leadership and communication.

He was until recently an integral part of the transformational team building Radio & TV Continental (best Radio and Television NBMA 2016 Award Winners) and their subsidiaries into one of Africa’s most admired.

A keen wine enthusiast, RDJ was full of life with an infectious positive energy.  He was a man of integrity, excellence and perfection who had a heart full of love for people. He gave everyone who met him an immediate sense of worth and dignity regardless of their status in life.  He will be sorely missed by all whose lives he impacted around the world.

RDJ or DJ as he was fondly called by his family, was happily married to Funmi and was blessed with three adult children and grandchildren.