Day of Appreciation of media elders 

Wednesday October 22, was a day which memory will linger on for a long time in the heart and minds of elders in the media industry in Nigeria.
The elders who in the past decades have used their talent and skill to develop the industry were hosted to a get together in an eventbtagged Day of Appreciation.
Hence,when they gathered that morning in the bowels of Sir Kessington Adebutu Media Resource Centre, Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba,Lagos,it was a moment of nostalgic feeling.
On that day journalists, editors, and broadcasters gathered for Appreciation Day, a celebration dedicated to Nigeria’s news media elders.

The event, convened by The Journalism Clinic, brought together veterans whose work laid the foundation of modern Nigerian journalism.

Though the Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Minister of Information, Moahmmed Idris could not attend in person, goodwill messages and heartfelt tributes filled the room as old colleagues reunited to honour the voices that shaped the nation’s media .

In his welcome address, Taiwo Obe, the Founder and Director of The Journalism Clinic, recounted how the idea of appreciating veteran journalists began as a simple thought, a wish to celebrate those who built the path younger generations now walk. “People often say journalists don’t celebrate themselves,” Obe said, adding “So I began writing down the names of our elders, those 70 and above and the list kept growing. That was how this day was born.”

The veteran journalist described the journey from concept to reality, acknowledging the support of corporate partners including Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), Dangote Industries Limited, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Fidelity Bank Plc, and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Obe also spoke with emotion about the loss of Nigeria’s journalism archives, describing it as a painful reminder of how easily a nation can forget its own storytellers. His words resonated deeply across the hall, among veterans who had lived through the print revolution, the golden era of radio, and the challenges of digital transformation.

The gathering attracted distinguished figures whose names define decades of journalistic excellence. Among them was Oloye Lekan Alabi, the Ekefa Olubadan of Ibadanland, a journalist and cultural ambassador whose career has spanned more than five decades. From his early days at Sketch Publishing Company to his years in public service and cultural advocacy, Alabi’s presence embodied the spirit of the celebration. Also present was Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi, former Managing Director of the Daily Times and author of: “The Road Never Forgets,” whose career bridged academia, journalism, and public relations, earning him a reputation as one of Nigeria’s most intellectually grounded media figures. Veteran broadcaster Sunny Irabor spoke passionately about the importance of legacy and the need for structures that empower younger journalists, reminding everyone: “If we do not invest in continuity, we lose our profession’s soul.”

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Moments of remembrance for departed industry icons such as Dr. Doyin Abiola and Dr. Christopher Kolade stirred quiet emotion. Their names were spoken with reverence, their impact celebrated with pride. The day also honoured those reaching new milestones, including Ben Lawrence, Lade Bonuola, Sir Kessington Adebutu, Oloye Lekan Alabi, and Ademola Osinubi, who joined the elders’ club this year.

The event closed with Obe’s hopeful words that Appreciation Day would not be a one-time affair but the beginning of an enduring tradition.

He said it would be a weekend of gratitude dedicated to those who shaped the conscience of the nation through their craft. “We may not have monuments to our journalists,” he said, “but we have memories, and today, those memories are enough to make history.”

Eagle online