Inked Memory Launches Memory Journals in a Historic Event Celebrating Family, Storytelling, Culture and Legacy

In an unforgettable gathering of legacy-makers, storytellers, and cultural icons, Inked Memory, a visionary storytech and memory preservation company, was officially launched on Sunday, March 23rd, in Lagos. With the unveiling of its flagship keepsakes—Dear Daddy, Let’s Preserve Your Memories and Dear Mommy, Let’s Preserve Your Memories—the company introduced not just products, but a powerful movement: one that calls families to document their stories, preserve their heritage, and pass on their identities with intentionality.
The event, themed “Memory, History & Identity: Preserving Cultural Heritage for Future Generations,” was hosted at Alliance Française Lagos in Ikoyi and attended by an intimate circle of Nigeria’s most admired multi-generational families, thought leaders, media personalities, and history advocates. What unfolded was a deeply emotional, celebratory, and transformative evening that centered memory as a gift, a legacy, and a human right.

The Vision Behind Inked Memory

Founded by award-winning social entrepreneur and educator Orondaam Otto, Inked Memory was born out of a deeply personal experience of grief and rediscovery. In 2022, Otto gifted his father a journal filled with 300+ carefully designed questions to help him document his life story—his childhood, dreams, struggles, and values. Months passed, and the journal remained untouched. Otto worried that the chance to hear these stories might vanish with time.
Then, in February 2024, Otto’s father passed away unexpectedly. During the painful task of clearing out his father’s library, Otto stumbled upon the journal—no longer empty, but now filled with answers to over 200 questions, handwritten by his late father. It was wrapped, preserved, and left on a shelf as if waiting to be discovered. That journal became Otto’s most treasured possession—a living memory, a posthumous conversation, and a powerful reminder of the beauty in captured stories.
This moment gave birth to Inked Memory—a company on a mission to ensure that every family has the opportunity to preserve the memories that matter most.

A Fireside of Wisdom and Inspiration

The emotional climax of the launch came during a compelling fireside chat between Orondaam Otto and Justice Amina Adamu Augie (Rtd.), former Justice of Nigeria’s Supreme Court, who served as the Chair of the event. With warmth, insight, and grace, Justice Augie spoke about the African proverb that says, “When an elder dies, a library burns.” She reflected on the urgency of documenting our stories before they are lost and commended Otto for turning personal grief into generational purpose.

Orondaam, in turn, shared not just the emotional inspiration behind Inked Memory, but the broader vision guiding its future. Beyond beautifully curated journals, he sees Inked Memory evolving into a revolutionary storytech company—one that uses technology to digitize stories, preserve oral traditions, and ensure that voices from every corner of society are remembered and celebrated. He emphasized that storytelling should not be limited to the privileged few with access to publishers or expensive tools. Instead, Inked Memory’s upcoming platform will democratize storytelling, enabling anyone and everyone to easily publish their own books, family stories, or personal memoirs—whether through text, video, voice, or images. In a world where so many stories go untold, this vision offers a way to archive identity, history, and heritage for future generations. “We want to make storytelling accessible to all,” Orondaam said. “So no story is lost. No life is forgotten. Every voice matters.”

Legacy in Real Time: Four Generational Families Share Their Stories

One of the evening’s most powerful aspects was the participation of four remarkable families, each spanning multiple generations, who spoke about the meaning of legacy and why storytelling must be preserved in both words and writing.

Architect Tonye Cole and his father Ambassador Patrick Dele Cole shared timeless insights on the intentional passing of family values. Amb. Cole, a respected elder statesman and thought leader, reflected on his life’s journey and why storytelling was central to legacy. Tonye echoed this, emphasizing that the best inheritance is not wealth, but wisdom—and wisdom must be documented.

From the world of academia, Professor Emeritus Paul Okonkwo, one of Nigeria’s most celebrated pharmaceutical scholars, joined the stage with his daughter, social innovation leader Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli. Their dialogue was deeply moving, as Ndidi spoke about the impact of her father’s stories on her character and purpose. She affirmed that stories, especially handwritten ones, have a healing and anchoring effect in an age of distraction.

Legendary actress Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde and her daughter Princess Ekeinde offered an emotional glimpse into their mother-daughter bond. Omotola spoke about the many facets of herself—beyond the screen, her new movie Mother’s love and beyond public life—that her children deserve to know. Her daughter praised her for being a role model and offered her heart-warming prayers. She praised the Dear Mommy journal for creating space to tell those untold stories in her own voice. “This journal,” she said, “is a bridge between who we are and who our children think we are.”

Equally touching was the conversation between Omolara Cookey and her son Ibifa Cookey, who spoke about the transition of wisdom, culture, and healing through writing. Omolara expressed that journaling helped her reclaim voice over her own narrative—something often lost in traditional parenting. For Ibifa, it was a gift of perspective: “Sometimes the strongest people have the softest histories. Writing helps us see them in full color.”

An Elegant, Heartfelt Experience

The event was co-moderated by CNN journalist Stephanie Busari and communication expert Lehlé Baldé, whose eloquence, warmth, and depth set the tone for a night of thoughtful storytelling and human connection. They facilitated moments that allowed guests not just to observe but to reflect—on their own parents, on stories they wish they had asked, and on how to start the process of memory preservation.

The physical unveiling of the journals was a showstopper. Guests were presented with beautifully crafted editions of Dear Daddy and Dear Mommy—archival-quality journals made from eco-friendly paper, wrapped in luxurious keepsake boxes, and paired with gold-trimmed fountain pens. Each journal contains 360 curated questions, prompting reflections across life stages—from childhood memories and career milestones to parenting wisdom and hopes for the future.
Guests had the opportunity to explore the journals, read sample prompts, and make their pre-orders even as the official launch was in the coming days and orders were already being placed. Emotions ran high as many spoke of their longing to ask parents who had passed away just one more question—and their resolve not to let the stories of their living loved ones go undocumented.

The evening was beautifully refreshed by Coca-Cola and Schweppes, who provided an exquisite selection of beverages to keep spirits lifted, while The Fat Butcher delighted taste buds with an array of grilled African delicacies, juicy burgers, and mouth-watering barbecue. Together, these touches added flavor and warmth to an already unforgettable night.

A Movement Begins

Beyond the families on stage, the event was graced by a stellar lineup of speakers and special guests who lent their voices and presence to the cause of memory preservation. These included Amb. Nimi Akinkuugbe, former Nigerian ambassador to Greece, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Sade Dada, Country Director, META, Patrick McMicheals, CEO of The Fat Butcher, Chief George Taylor and his wife Mrs Margaret Taylor; Mrs. Marie Anne Otto, mother of the founder and a memory advocate herself; Tayo Olosunde, anchor of the event and heritage strategist; Adesewa Josh, compere and media personality; and VIP hosts Olamide Miriam Odenkunle and Princess Agunbiade. And many more incredible personalities.
Each attendee walked away with a sense that they weren’t just guests at a launch—they were part of a larger movement. A movement to reclaim the narrative of families, elevate the stories that define us, and protect them for generations to come.

Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future

The launch of Inked Memory comes at a time when the urgency to document our roots is at its peak. A recent global study by Ancestry revealed that over 60% of people cannot name all four of their grandparents, pointing to a growing disconnect from family history. Inked Memory offers a remedy, not just through products, but through purpose—inviting people to pause, write, reflect, and pass on.
With the official release of Dear Daddy and Dear Mommy slated for April 2025, pre-orders are now open at allowing individuals and families to reserve personalized copies of these legacy journals. In the coming months, Inked Memory will roll out a digital platform that enables memory documentation through video, audio, and photo timelines—bringing storytelling into the tech space while staying rooted in tradition.

Join the Movement

Whether you’re a parent, a grandchild, a teacher, or a curious soul who believes in the power of stories, Inked Memory invites you to join the memory revolution. Follow the journey online, share your own story, and encourage others to document the moments that matter.
Follow @inkedmemory.io on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn, and use the hashtags #InkedMemory #DearDaddyMemoryJournal #DearMommyMemoryJournal #PreserveYourMemories #FamilyLegacy to join the global conversation.
Because every family has a story worth telling. And every story deserves to be remembered.