President Bola Tinubu has celebrated veteran journalist and former Managing Director of The Guardian, Mr Oyinlade “Ladbone” Bonuola, on his 80th birthday, describing him as an outstanding editor whose contributions helped shape Nigerian journalism.

In a congratulatory message issued on Sunday, the President commended Bonuola’s professional excellence, editorial courage, integrity and commitment to truth, saying his decades of service had left an enduring imprint on the nation’s media landscape.

Tinubu said the veteran journalist’s career exemplified the critical role of the press in promoting accountability, informing citizens and strengthening democracy.

Bonuola began his journalism career at the Daily Times in February 1971 as a trainee sub-editor, rising through the ranks before joining The Guardian in 1982 as a pioneer editor. He subsequently served as the newspaper’s Managing Director until 1999.

He later co-founded the defunct Comet newspaper, where he also served as Managing Director, and went on to head Nigerian Compass as Managing Director.

The President recalled Bonuola’s influence on generations of journalists, particularly through his widely read weekly column, Caught Out, published during his time at the Daily Times.

According to Tinubu, Bonuola’s professional journey reflects a deep commitment to journalism as a public service, with a responsibility to hold leaders accountable, uphold factual reporting and provide citizens with the information they need to make informed decisions.

He also praised the octogenarian’s leadership and mentorship, noting that his influence extended beyond the newsrooms he led to the wider development of Nigeria’s media industry.

“As one of the exceptional editors of his generation, your contributions to Nigerian journalism remain indelible,” the President said, adding that Bonuola’s commitment to accuracy, fairness, integrity and public accountability remained vital to the media’s democratic responsibilities.

Tinubu said the milestone offered an opportunity to recognise not only Bonuola’s professional achievements but also his enduring contributions to the country’s democratic development and the training of successive generations of media practitioners.

He added that the veteran journalist’s life and career demonstrated that the value of journalism went beyond reporting events to shaping public discourse, nurturing informed citizens and preserving the truth for posterity.

“On behalf of my family, the Government and the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I wish you a happy 80th birthday and many more years of good health, peace, fulfilment and continued service to our dear nation,” the President said.

He expressed the hope that Bonuola’s legacy of professionalism, mentorship and service would continue to inspire journalists and media practitioners across the country.