About
A connoisseur of many passions...
Dr Valentino Alily was born in Wusasa, Zaria in Northern Nigeria in 1956 into a family with a long and accomplished military history. He began his education at Army Children School, Kaduna, then at 1st Battalion Children School, Enugu, before studying Engineering Designs and Technical Drawing at St. Joseph’s Technical College and Graphic Concepts at the University of Benin. He was an author, poet, graphic designer, animator, and human relationship counsellor whose creativity and intellect touched many across continents. With additional expertise in business intelligence and summit management, along with a doctorate in relational psychology, he built a multifaceted career that spanned Asia, America, Africa, and Europe. He was a connoisseur of multiple interests and skills.
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The business man
Foundations of a Vision
Dr. Valentino Alily’s extensive career took him and his work across Europe, America, Asia, and Africa, enriching his perspective and enabling him to mentor, manage, and inspire diverse teams. His unwavering “never say die” attitude, coupled with his drive for innovation and creativity, consistently propelled organizations toward their goals while adding enduring positive value.
2004
- Began his professional journey as an Assistant-Reader & Copywriter at Susante Resources (Pty) Limited, marking the start of his nearly two-decade career in research, business intelligence development, and project implementation management within transformational skills training, conferences, masterclasses, summits, and knowledge management.
2007 – 2010
- Joined Marcus Evans as a Conference Project Manager, later advancing to Senior Independent Project Manager.
- Completed a six-month Senior Management training stint in Malaysia during this period.
2011 – 2013
- Appointed Head of Research & Business Development at Global Prospectus Training (Pty) Limited, where he strengthened the company’s strategic and operational frameworks.
2013
- Founded Vanimax Media (Pty) Limited and served as Acting CEO: Creative & Business Development, steering both creative direction and business strategy.
National Impact & Development Work
2014 – 2015
- Head-hunted by Ashland Investments Limited to lead the Federal Government of Nigeria’s Niger Delta Amnesty Special Skills Programme as Special Projects & Development Director. His leadership contributed to advancing youth empowerment and vocational training initiatives across the region.
2015
- Joined Melrose Advanced Professional Training as Head of the Research and Production Unit, focusing on conference production and knowledge management.
2016
- Played a key role in restructuring and streamlining the Production Unit at Melrose, driving efficiency and improved output.
Thought Leader & Expansionist
2017
- Appointed Research & Special Projects Consultant at Melrose Training, extending his influence in training design and specialized project management.
2018 – 2020
- Led Vanimax Research Institute as Principal Executive Officer for African Contemporary Knowledge and Creative Thinking, advancing research and innovation across the continent.
2020
- Founded and became the Country Representative (South Africa) for Johnbull Publishing, further expanding his creative and intellectual footprint.
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The philosopher
The Intellectual Craftsman
Valentino Alily was a man of profound insight and knowledge, qualities that earned him the title of The Philosopher. He deeply valued relational communication and spirituality and was passionately devoted to advancing African leadership and management. His reflective thinking and pioneering written works led to the creation of several psychological and self-help books, including The Casanova Principle, The Eve Appeal, and over fifteen published research papers on topics spanning education, African leadership, relational psychology, behavioural psychology, and governance on Academia.edu.
His philosophical perspectives earned him a place among distinguished writers on the Commonwealth List of African Authors. As a poet, his piece Phoenix Rebirth won the 4th Africa National Poetry Award by the Poetry Institute of Africa in 2004 and was featured in the anthology Soulfully Seeking. Another of his poems, An Ode to You Dear, was shortlisted for a finalist award nomination in 2006.
A Voice of Wisdom
His counselling wisdom and penetrating reflections on relationship sustainability led to a memorable 2015 interview on Good Morning Africa, one of Dr. Valentino’s most defining and enduring public appearances, where he discussed his renowned work The Casanova Principle.
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The Adventurer
A Life Shaped by Imagination
Valentino Alily was a man of remarkable wit and a deep love for adventure. Born and raised in Nigeria, his imagination always reached beyond the borders of his homeland. In 2001, he and his family set out for Ghana to begin a new chapter, one defined by creativity, courage, and vision. There, he launched his own fashion line of authentic, dapper safari shirts inspired by African icons such as Nelson Mandela and the late Ghanaian president Jerry Rawlings.
By 2004, his distinctive designs earned him an invitation to South African Fashion Week, opening yet another chapter of exploration for Valentino and his family. He quickly fell in love with South Africa, its rhythm, its culture, and its people, and decided to make it home.
Across Continents and Creative Frontiers
In 2007, he joined Marcus Evans, a British business intelligence company, a role that took him across continents and countries from Ethiopia and Kenya to Thailand and Malaysia. These experiences deepened his appreciation for cultural diversity and expanded his intellectual and creative horizons. Inspired by the stories and people he encountered along the way, he founded Vanimax Media and later Vanimax Comix, a creative hub dedicated to African storytelling, design, and graphic novels.
A true adventurer at heart, Dr. Valentino possessed a childlike sense of wonder that fueled his boundless imagination. His lifelong training in martial arts; holding a black belt in Jujutsu and a Duan in Tai Chi, not only shaped his discipline and worldview but also inspired his storytelling. His love for action and philosophical balance merged perfectly in his creative works, particularly in Mark of the Cobra (1980), his celebrated Pacesetters novel. The book later evolved into the Jack Ebony graphic novel series under Vanimax Comix, featuring a martial artist and super spy who embodied courage, strategy, and depth; much like Valentino himself.
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The Family Man
A Love Story Begins
Valentino Alily’s love story with Jessica Ike Alily began in a moment that felt straight out of a movie. He first met Jessica in 1988, when she was working at DHL. He often reminisced about that day and always told his children about the moment of how she stood up and instantly caught his eye with her height and grace.
Valentino had a particular fondness for tall women, being a 6-foot man himself, and in that moment, he was utterly smitten. At the time, he was accompanied by his business partner, Henry from Henry & Valentino [A co-founded bespoke Furnishing Altier in Lagos, Nigeria during the 90s], who playfully gestured that Jessica was indeed his type. But Valentino was focused on work that day, trying to finalize some business documents, and only truly noticed her once she stood up and smiled.
Rooted in Family
As their relationship blossomed, Valentino and Jessica’s bond grew stronger, and they got married in 1990. In 1995, five years later, they welcomed their first child, David, Somotochi, Chidera Alily, and in 1997, they were blessed with their second child, Vanessa Valerie Ifunayachuku Alily. Finally, in 2001, they welcomed their youngest, Christabel Imenachi Chiamaka Alily.
Together, Valentino and Jessica built a loving and supportive family and sustained a marriage of 35 years, nurturing each child with care and wisdom. Their journey together is a testament to the enduring power of love and partnership.
Valentino’s deep sense of family extended beyond his immediate home. He is lovingly remembered by his five siblings, Brigadier General Felix Alily (Rtd.), Efua Alily, George Alily, Angela Alily, and Buchi Alily, with whom he shared a childhood rich in joy, conversation, and unforgettable memories. Their shared moments of laughter, debate, and adventure helped shape the thoughtful and dynamic man he became.
His legacy lives on through the love he gave, the wisdom he shared, and the countless lives he touched both within his family and beyond.
