By Kayode Ojewale
A couple of days ago, in the wake of President Buhari's
declaration of June 12 as Nigeria's Democracy day, Banji was invited as guest
and political analyst to a radio phone-in program at Hebron FM, Ota, Ogun
state. I listened online from Lagos as he expressed his views and analysed various
angles and sides to the implication of the President's conferment of the highest
national honours posthumously to late MKO which has since been greeted with commendations
and condemnations in some quarters of the country. He recalled with passion, his
active days in journalism during Abacha era where journalists were brutalised, tortured
and indefinitely detained without charge and for carrying out their
professional duties. While he commended the president for doing what his
predecessors couldn't do since 1999. Banji said Buhari has done the yeoman job but
he was quick to state in clear terms that the Pandora's box has been opened as
justice takes its full course on those guilty of the June 12 saga.
What got me attracted here that is worthy of notable reference
is Banji's balanced approach to his in depth analysis of issues. As a trained
professional in the field of journalism, he unconsciously dissects issues
without prejudice, bias nor predisposition. Apart from his wide experience in
print and electronic media, his deep and robust research using facts and
figures on the subject matter he writes on usually blows me away. Banji, though
no longer practising active journalism, still remains a force to reckon with
and a veteran to emulate in terms of his style and approach to writing and analysing.
Another simple but lifelong lesson that Banji's principles
of life taught me is found in the holy Book as one of his favourite Bible
passages. When I was much younger I never thought that it was a Bible
reference, it took me some years before I knew. The quote goes thus:"The life
of a man does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses" ( Luke
12 vs 15b). The quote became clearer to me only recently.
Sometime in March this year , I was at a remembrance day
programme held in honour of the late founder of a private secondary school located
at Abule Egba in Lagos, when this quote made a complete sense to me shortly
after the ceremony. I was able to draw an inference that day - All the clerics
and scholars who took turns to eulogise the deceased said the same thing about
the late school founder who died over 10 years ago, but they never said one
thing about him! One thing each speaker who mounted the podium talked about was
the fact that the late founder impacted people's lives when he was alive. Also,
one thing that was never talked about the man was his material possessions -
house, money, car etc. Attention was centred on the impacts he made when alive,
not his fat or zero bank account balance. I returned home that day with an
inspiring takeaway- Life's true meaning is only discovered when one impacts
another life positively. I also clearly understood that day why Banji loves that
scriptural part as one of his favourites because his approach to and principle
of life point at simplicity.
Ijadunola-Oluwa Theophilus Banji Ojewale, born on June 13,
1950, hails from Ogbomoso, Oyo state. He began his secondary education at Wesley
Grammar School, Accra, Ghana. His GCE 'A' level and GCE 'A' level were
completed respectively in 1969 and 1975. He proceeded to the Nigerian Institute
of Journalism (NIJ) where he majored in news writing, reporting and editing. He
also has diploma in Radio and TV productions among many other qualifications.
TBO (Theophilus Banji Ojewale), as fondly called by friends and
associates, is a veteran journalist, pastor, book writer and book reviewer. He
has a very wide professional experience of work in print and electronic media
ranging from TV productions (Documentaries) to collection of published novels
and poems. He started from being a reporter, to editor, then producer. He has
also worked as columnist, editorial board member, TV prime time news editor,
news department manager, consultant to government institutions and media
houses. TBO has held the positions mentioned in the following media houses, to
mention a few among many: People's Agenda (defunct), PM news, NTA, Herald
newspaper, Concord (defunct), The Punch, The Guardian, Daily Times, Daily
Independent, AIT/Raypower, STV. He also has some documentaries to his credit
for BBC Focus on Africa and "Story Story" programmes.
The humility and selflessness of TBO have always earned him
various leadership positions wherever he finds himself. This exemplary lifestyle
of simplicity which is even noticeable in his mode of dressing, his way and
manner of talking, his choice of colour and in fact in all areas of life, is
worthy of emulation. No doubt, his childhood friends, old time friends and of
course his associates and acquaintances can attest to this fact. TBO is married
with five children.
Happy birthday Dad!
Kayode wrote from Idimu, Lagos.
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