It is always elating running into old colleagues. And what can bring a horde of senior journalists together, abandoning their production timeline and on a Tuesday for that matter, than an event by a leading one from their clan. At such a gathering with back slapping and banters and laughter you want to fly.
Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, former Head of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos, was there; so was Prof. Jide Osuntokun, a man of many parts: first DG of NUC; a former Ambassador; member Editorial Board and columnist; of course, a university teacher and author. Gbenga Omotosho, editor of several years and Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy was there.
Other dignitaries were Stanley Egbochukwu, a veteran business and finance ranking editor at BusinessDay; Akinkiotu of TELL; Martins Oloja, until recently, Managing Director/Editor-in- Chief of The Guardian, now active in his column writing; Dipo Kehinde, investigative journalist/Publisher of an online publication. Senator Adeyeye formerly of The Punch before he veered into politics and has become a force in Ekiti and at the national level. Several political leaders drawn mainly from Afenifere were in attendance as well, among whom was Dr. Femi Okunrounmu. He was President Goodluck Jonathan’s point man, who went round the country to collate views in preparation for the 2014 National Conference on the Constitution.The Are Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Gani Adams, was conspicuously in attendance with his trademarks of beads over immaculate white flowing gown as well as a white cap. He was ringed by his men, OPC.
It was a double-barrel event—the launching of Dare Babarinsa’s book, ‘Eat Now, Pay Later’as well as the marking of his 70th birthday. The birthday is in fact today, May 9, 2025. But we were permitted a fore-taste of what to happen later at Oke Imesi. The book will also be launched in Abuja.
I am skipping commenting on the book for now because I have not read it. What I can say is that Dare Babarinsa is Dare Babarinsa any day in terms of display of the mastery of English language which makes for compelling communication skills in his writings. What with his unusual grasp of issues punctuated with materials drawn effortlessly from his rich knowledge of history.
Not only will Babarinsa regale you with history, but will give you dates. Not surprisingly, he took his first degree in History from Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University and took another degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos.
All this prepared him to dare and confront power; it prepared him for life in the trenches during Babangida’s Administration and worse during Abacha’s ruthless regime. Babarinsa and his colleagues went underground yet they were producing their TELL Magazine from week to week: Abacha was an embarrassment and so he must be wrestled to the ground. That was the conviction of most newspaper houses. Some of the newspapers were shut but the struggle continued.
Babarinsa was one of the editors of TELL Magazine and was not one to flee from the battle field. They displayed the dream, the vision and energy usually at the uncorrupted youth’s command to straighten things when they see their land upside down. They steered the nation on the path of justice and equity. The resolve was: Abacha must go.
Babarinsa’s milestone 70th birthday is, therefore, something to celebrate. Ladies and gentlemen, up on your feet and clink your glasses and say hurrah, hearty congratulations to a brave master on his book and his birthday. Hip! Hip!! Hip, Hurrah!!!
