Published: June 15, 2026 | SPDS Foundation Team

Today, June 15, 2026, the Suicide Prevention and Depression Support Foundation pauses to celebrate the man whose vision gave this organisation life: 𝙎𝙞𝙧 𝙅𝙖𝙢𝙚𝙨 𝙊𝙡𝙖 𝙀𝙢𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙖-𝘿𝙖𝙠𝙤𝙗𝙞𝙧𝙞 𝙁𝙄𝙄𝙈, our 𝗙𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁.

A Life Built on Service

James Ola Emiola-Dakobiri was born in the mid-1950s and raised in a family grounded in Christian values, discipline, and community responsibility.

He began his formal education at Christ Church Cathedral School, Broad Street, Lagos, from January 1961 to December 1968, before proceeding to The Apostolic Church Grammar School, Orishigun, Ketu, Lagos, from January 1969 to June 1973.

His career began at Barclays Bank, later Union Bank PLC, on August 24, 1973, where he rose through four promotions to serve as Training Officer and Accountant at the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Centre. His professional journey demonstrated early what would later become a lifelong hallmark: exceptional skill, creativity, discipline, and unwavering dedication.

In 1985, he transitioned into entrepreneurship. By 1987, he had founded and registered Menu Vouchers Nigeria Ltd, an innovative company that introduced food vouchers as a structured alternative to cash staff allowances, in partnership with the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company.

His community leadership was equally distinguished. He served as Secretary and later Chairman in the two communities where he lived simultaneously: Ago Central Community Development Association, Lagos Island, and Lagos State Low Cost Housing Estate, Sector 18, Abesan, Ipaja. At Abesan, he pioneered a car wash initiative for residents, further demonstrating his practical approach to solving community needs.

In 2009, he was called upon by the Area “A” Police Commander, Lion Building, Lagos Island, to reorganise the Police Community Relations Committee. He helped transform the PCRC into one of the most active and effective community-policing platforms in the Lagos State.

From 2011 to 2019, he was appointed by the National Assembly, Abuja, as the Constituency Officer for Lagos Island Federal Constituency II, where he served in legislative and community liaison responsibilities.

He is also the Publisher/CEO of Clearvision Communications Series, a platform through which he continues to promote public enlightenment, advocacy, publishing, biographies, political reflections, social commentary, and purposeful communication.

An Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Information Management, FIIM, a Human Rights Consultant, and an Anti-Human Trafficking Advocate, Sir James brought all these experiences to bear when he established the Suicide Prevention and Depression Support Foundation — a platform dedicated to healing minds, restoring lives, and giving hope to those silently struggling with depression, emotional pain, loneliness, hopelessness, and suicidal thoughts.

What He Has Built

Today, the SPDS Foundation continues to grow as a beacon of hope, advocacy, support, and public enlightenment in the mental health space.

Through awareness campaigns, emotional support efforts, volunteer engagement, advocacy, and community-based interventions, the Foundation is committed to breaking the silence around depression and suicide prevention across Nigeria and beyond.

Every life touched by this work traces back to one man who decided that silence around mental health had gone on long enough.

Our Wish for You

On behalf of the board, volunteers, supporters, and the entire SPDS Foundation community, we extend our deepest love, respect, and gratitude to Sir James Ola Emiola-Dakobiri FIIM on this special day.

Happy Birthday, Sir.

May Almighty God bless you abundantly, protect your family, preserve your health, strengthen your vision, and continue to use you as an instrument of hope, healing, courage, and service for generations to come.

Healing Minds. Restoring Lives.