Dignitaries Celebrate Shola Oshunkeye at 70
Prominent figures, including the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, Clement Adesuyi Haastrup; former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; and Ovation Media Group publisher, Dele Momodu, are expected in Lagos on Thursday for a colloquium and book presentation marking the 70th birthday of veteran journalist and Chief Executive Officer of The Crest Online, Shola Oshunkeye.
The event is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Sir Kessington Adebutu Media Resource Centre, Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos, and will focus on the theme, “The Decline of Human Interest Journalism in Nigeria.”
Mr Osoba will chair the occasion, while Oba Haastrup will serve as Royal Father of the Day. Mr Momodu is billed to deliver the keynote address.
The programme will also feature a book launch, with business executive and Chairman of Nairapoint Finance Limited, Funke Otti, as Chief Launcher and Saturday Tribune Editor, Lasisi Olagunju, as reviewer.
A former Osun State Deputy Governor and ex-Minister of State for Defence, Olusola Agbeja-Obada, is expected to attend as Mother of the Day.
Mr Oshunkeye, who turned 70 on April 20, has received tributes from across the country, including a congratulatory message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President commended the veteran journalist for his contributions to democratic development, accountability, and the growth of journalism in Nigeria.
The President also highlighted Mr Oshunkeye’s investigative work, which earned him the 2006 CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year award, noting his sustained commitment to truth and public interest reporting across Africa.
Over the course of his career, Mr Oshunkeye has held several editorial leadership roles, including at Weekend Concord, TELL Magazine, and The Sun Group. He also served as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Sun Publishing Ghana Limited before founding The Crest Online.
The President wished him continued service to the nation and humanity.
