Old Taker Meets New Taker: Gen Z, Take Notes — The Real Taker Is Still in the Game, and His Name Is Adams Oshiomhole

Old Taker Meets New Taker: Gen Z, Take Notes — The Real Taker Is Still in the Game, and His Name Is Adams Oshiomhole

In the ever-evolving lingo of Gen Z streets, two terms have crept into pop culture conversations—“Old Taker” and “New Taker.” While they may sound like WWE characters, their meanings cut deeper into social commentary and generational behavior.

An “Old Taker” is that seasoned player—typically an elder or OG—who’s been around long enough to know the game, take what’s his, and still walk with respect. He’s not loud, but his presence shakes tables. Think of him as the veteran who doesn’t beg for relevance; he commands it. He’s earned his stripes, knows the backdoor politics, and never comes empty-handed.

A “New Taker,” on the other hand, is the ambitious upstart. The fresh face with digital swagger, viral reach, and youthful energy who’s coming for a slice of the pie—whether the system likes it or not. He disrupts the status quo, speaks in memes, and takes no permission. But unlike the Old Taker, he’s still proving he can hold the weight of what he grabs.

So, in the Nigerian political theatre, when we say “Old Taker meets New Taker,” we’re not just talking about age. We’re talking about experience vs energy, structure vs spontaneity, legacy vs hype.

And that brings us to the man who might just be both—Comrade Adams Oshiomhole. Let the story begin.

In the Nigerian political jungle where survival is for the fittest and only the loudest roar gets heard, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole stands tall as the hybrid lion—both an Old Taker and a New Taker—a rare breed whose evolution has defied every known rule of political extinction.

Born of labour. Baptized by protest. Crowned through struggle. Oshiomhole didn’t stumble into power—he wrestled it.

Before the big chairs and agbadas, there was the khaki-clad President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC)—a fiery orator who turned strikes into symphonies and held presidents by the jugular with nothing but the truth and a microphone. He didn’t just speak for workers; he embodied their rage, their hopes, and their resilience.

Then came the David vs Goliath chapter.

At a time when the PDP was the immovable object, Oshiomhole became the unstoppable force. Obasanjo’s political empire had a firm grip on Edo. But this Old Taker wasn’t reading from the script. He stormed the polls, challenged the rigged outcome, and dethroned the PDP’s stolen mandate in court—ushering in a new era of people-first governance. Edo people remember those red roofs and rebranded pride with reverence. That wasn’t just governance. That was a revolution in slippers and rolled-up sleeves.

Fast forward to the national stage, and our Old Taker leveled up.

As National Chairman of the APC, Oshiomhole became a different kind of tactician—gritty, calculating, sometimes controversial, but always effective. While others politicked in whispers, he took the bull by the horns, even if it meant locking horns with the powerful. In 2019, he didn’t just deliver Buhari—he bulldozed the opposition, maintained party discipline, and redefined the role of party chairman from a ceremonial figure to a battlefield commander.

And just when political pundits thought he had peaked, thinking the street had moved on to newer “Takers”, Oshiomhole reminded everyone why you don’t bury a lion just because it’s silent.

Enter 2023—he becomes Senator of the Federal Republic.

Now seated on the hallowed floors of the National Assembly, Oshiomhole’s voice remains thunderous—only this time, it’s wrapped in legislative decorum. When he speaks, it’s not empty noise. It’s fire for the corrupt, hope for the masses, and sense for the clueless. Whether he’s grilling ministers, questioning misplaced priorities, or defending the downtrodden, the mission is clear: the people come first.

He’s still the Old Taker—with scars that remind us he’s fought real wars.
He’s still the New Taker—with evolving vibes that connect across generations.

From labour halls to government house, from party secretariat to the red chamber—Oshiomhole’s journey is not just political, it’s biblical. A testimony that when destiny calls, and the people believe, even the impossible becomes history.

Respect the Old Taker. Salute the New Taker. But never forget—there’s only one Comrade.

Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah
Principal & CEO, Bush Radio Academy