Founded on September 15, 2004, XLR8 (pronounced, “excelerate”) is a communications management consultancy with a mission to assist organizations in the accelerated accomplishment of their goals and objectives by providing superior communications solutions.

At XLR8, our practice is founded on four cardinal philosophies:

• We will continuously seek excellent understanding, underscored
  by painstaking research, of the industries we serve and their
  publics.
• We are passionate about creative excellence, innovative solutions
  that are creative even in their simplicity.
• Impact. For us, creativity is about impact. Communication cannot
  be creative if it does not achieve the desired impact.
• Celebration of the eternal dignity and infinite possibilities of man,
  and adoration for his maker, Almighty God.

We will offer our clients, fresh insights and perspectives that will
guide and inspire the generation of accelerated communication
solutions for competitive advantage.

Calixthus Okoruwa Our chief executive officer is Calixthus Okoruwa, a marketing professional with a multidisciplinary background that spans sales management, social health advocacy, journalism, advertising management and public relations in industries that include pharmaceuticals, public health, print media, international air express and logistics as well as telecommunications. Calixthus possesses degrees in pharmacy and business administration. He was marketing communications manager for international social marketing organization, Population Services International/Society for Family Health, marketing communications manager for international air express and logistics company, DHL Nigeria and until September 2004, Public Relations Manager for cellular telecoms provider, MTN Nigeria. Calixthus has been described by The Guardian, Nigeria's most respected newspaper as "…a huge reservoir of ideas… respected for his professionalism and hands-on-expertise at his job…perhaps the most likeable PR man in corporate Nigeria today." (The Guardian, August 17, 2004)
John Awe John possesses a degree in English of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife and a masters' in Communication Arts of the University of Ibadan, respectively. A writer and strategist, his major beat in more than ten years of journalism, was telecommunications. He reported telecom for the Nigerian Tribune and regularly contributed analyses for Middle East and Africa Wireless, a subscription-based telecom analysis journal of the Informa Media and Telecoms Group of UK. John was until recently, Chief of the Lagos Bureau of the Tribune newspapers.
Adewole Ojo Formerly, editor of Nigeria's New Age Newspaper, Adewole is the 2005 first place winner of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa sponsored Africa Information Society Initiative Award for reporting in Africa. Ade possesses a degree in Philosophy. Highly regarded as a reporter, his analyses of the telecom industry in Nigeria and the developing world have won him several commendations.
Mimi Deke Mimi possesses a Masters in International Relations of the Lagos State University. Her career tapestry spans public health advocacy and marketing management working for major corporations.
Sewedo Nupowaku Lawyer and talented artist, Sewedo heads our strategy department. He graduated from the University of Lagos in 1999 and the Nigerian Law School in 2001.
Alphonsus Chinedu An experienced accountant, Alphonsus brings to XLR8 critical financial and administrative experience garnered from several leading establishments. He heads our administrative and finance departments.
Abayomi Awelewa A graduate of English of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, where he was at the top of his class, Yomi is a key member of our consulting team. A talented writer, his play, The Dilemma of an African Prince, won an honourable mention at the 2005 Pat Utomi Prize award for creative writing.
Emmanuel Akinkugbe A graduate of Fine Art of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria, where he was the best student in sculpture, painting and graphics respectively in the 2000/2001 academic session, Emmanuel brings rare flair, creativity and considerable expertise garnered from leading advertising agencies to bear on his creative work.