Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola; Publisher of Premium Times, Dapo Olorunyomi; Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Femi Falana and Editor-In-Chief, Vanguard Newspapers, Gbenga Adefaye, were among distinguished personalities that paid tribute to Director, International Press Centre (IPC), Lanre Arogundade, in Lagos, yesterday.

Aregbesola, while speaking at the 60th birthday commemorative event and public presentation of ‘Breaking Coconut With Your Head’ authored by Arogundade, described him as a great Nigerian leader of the student arm that brought a progressive nation.

Falana said: “In view of Lanre’s numerous contacts with our comrades and friends, history is beckoning on him to play a leading role in uniting the left forces in the country with a view to arresting the imminent collapse and inexorable disintegration of the country.”

Olorunyomi said: “Consistent activism appears to be the defining core of Lanre Arogundade’s enthrallingly multifaceted personality. He still nurtures a healthy ecumenical reach across diverse and sometimes antagonistic ideological channels to keep the demands when massive forces against democracy are ascendant.”

On his part, Adefaye described Lanre as cerebral and a fair player “who would disarm you with his smiles even when he prepares to tackle through intense debates. That was his trademark as a co-worker. He was punctual at his beat and you could not fault his loyalty at every point in time. He tells you as it is and leaves you to make your own call. He can be the most dependable ally.”

Arogundade is a trade unionist, socialist, pro-democracy activist, professional journalist, media and communication expert, and freedom of expression activist with passion for press freedom.