Veteran Nigerian journalist and iconic author, Chief Dare Babarinsa, has flagged off the celebrations of his 70th birthday with a book launch.
The book titled, “Eat Now Pay Later” was launched earlier, today, at the Lagos Airport Hotel on Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, Lagos, as a first leg of the platinum Jubilee of the author.
The book, a collection of Babarinsa’s essays, opinion articles, presentations and interventions over the years was adjudged to be a historical, reportorial and academic resource material which would be of immense benefits to both the present and coming generations.
According to the book’s reviewer, Chief Shola Oshunkeye, Eat Now Pay Later has one pungent message: that the current generation of Nigerians is “consuming” the nation’s resources which the coming generation(s) would be doomed to pay for.
In Oshunkeye’s words, “He (the author) delivers his message (in the book) so powerfully that you just cannot miss it”.
On his part, the Chairman of the Occasion, Engr. IfeOluwa Oyedele, Executive Director, Niger Delta Power Holding Company Limited and President of Unilag Alumni Association worldwide, Babarinsa, through the book, “has given all of us something that will bless us as nation and an entire humanity”.
Earlier, in a welcome address, Senator Dayo Adeyeye, Chairman, Nigerian Ports Authority, who is the Chairman of the birthday planning committee described Babarinsa as a great man by all standards who, nonetheless, has always remained humble; adding that he (Babarinsa) is “a man beyond journalism”.
While presenting the book, Dr. Akin Onigbinde, SAN, lamented the veracity of the cliché that if you want to hide anything from Nigerians, just put it in a book because they would not read even if the book was given to them free.
Onigbinde alerted that younger generation of Nigerians is worse because they have a near zero regard for printed materials.
He then raised a clarion call: “Let’s bring reading and writing back to the centre of our national development”.
Dignitaries at the well-attended event included His Excellency, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, former Governor of Ekiti State; His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu, Executive Governor of Lagos State, represented by Mr. Gbenga Omotosho, the Honourable Commissioner for Information and Strategy; and His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, Executive Governor of Ekiti State, represented by Mr. Tolu Ibitola, Chief of Staff to the Governor.
Others were His Royal Highness, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, the Deputy Leader of the pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere; Iba Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland; Senator (Dr.) Bode Olajumoke; Senator (Dr.) Femi Okurounmu; Chief Segun Osunkeye, former MD of Nestle Nigeria; Senator Ayo Arise; Chief Esan Ogunleye; Dr. Dayo Aderinwale, Chairman Just Rite Stores; and Chief Samuel Agbeluyi, President, Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).
The Grand finale of the Babarinsa platinum jubilee celebrations will hold this Friday (May 9, 2025) in Okemesi Ekiti, Ekiti State.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has felicitated with Chief Dare Babarinsa on the occasion of his 70th birthday.
A statement by Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the President, stated that President Tinubu sent his warm greetings to the veteran journalist and former Executive Director of TELL magazine and now Chairman/Managing Director of Gaskia Media Limited.
The President saluted him for attaining the milestone, which had been marked by decades of dedication and sacrifice to nation-building.
According to Onanuga, “The President lauds Babarinsa’s distinguished journalism career, which began at the Daily Times, where he served as a corps member in 1981, from where his passion for journalism evolved into activism through his work at the Concord newspapers, Newswatch, and his 15 years of service as Executive Director of TELL magazine”.
While acknowledging Babarinsa’s role and commitment to the political and economic integration of the Yoruba people and his vast knowledge of Nigeria as a journalist-historian, President Tinubu praised Babarinsa for promoting nation-building through his lucid writings throughout his illustrious career.
President Tinubu further noted Babarinsa’s fearlessness and integrity during the era of military rule, when he, alongside other courageous media professionals, stood firm in the struggle for the enthronement of democracy and press freedom.
“President Tinubu says he appreciates Babarinsa’s effort, along with his colleagues in the Nigeria Guild of Editors, to sustain good professional practice and mentor a generation of new media leaders who value truth, accuracy, balance, and fairness”, the statement added; concluding that “As Babarinsa joins the ranks of septuagenarians, President Tinubu prays for his continued well-being, good health, and many more years of impactful service to Nigeria”.
