FORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo on Tuesday congratulated the immediate past Editor of The PUNCH, Dayo Oketola, during the public presentation of his book titled ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution Through a Journalist’s Lens.’
The book was unveiled at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, with several dignitaries and media stakeholders gracing the occasion and pouring encomiums on the former PUNCH Editor.
Oketola bowed out as The PUNCH Editor in June this year after nearly two decades as an accomplished journalist with multiple awards nationally and internationally.
While speaking, Obasanjo, who unveiled the book, discussed the need for Nigeria to enable a conducive business environment for investors in order to attract revenue to the country.
The former President took the attendees through the history of telecommunication firms in Nigeria, especially during his time as President.
He explained how the government created a competitive environment for mobile telecommunication networks such as MTN, GLO, Airtel and 9Mobile, among others.
Obasanjo said his government achieved competition and attracted money to Nigeria.
“That opportunity can still be made available. The money to develop Nigeria is out there. That money will not come unless we create a conducive environment for that money to come.
“What we did, what Nigeria has done in the good days when things were going well are still there and can still be done today.
“When we show the character and the attribute, and we show the understanding and the knowledge to make this country a great country that God has created it to be – a land flowing with milk and honey – not a land of insecurity, not a land of lack of prosperity but a land where everybody can enough for himself or herself,” the former President said.
The event was also graced by a former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.
Amaechi, in a very brief speech, commended Oketola on the milestone achieved.
He did not fail to lament that the condition in which journalists are practising journalism in Nigeria now is worse than in the military era.
While speaking, the former Editor, Oketola, said his exaugural event was not the end of his journalism career but a mark of the end of his career as an Editor of The PUNCH.
In his introductory speech at the lecture titled ‘Print Journalism in Peril: Challenging Times for Newspaper Editors,’ Oketola said, “This occasion marks a significant milestone in my professional journey — a journey that has spanned about two decades of dedication, resilience and unwavering commitment to the ideals of journalism.”
Oketola said the media industry at this age faces critical challenges, especially with the advent of online journalism and social media, describing the moment as a time for industry players to re-strategise and harness the opportunities presented by the social realities.
He said, “As we gather here today, we find ourselves at a critical juncture in the history of print journalism. The industry faces unprecedented challenges — from the disruptive impact of social media to the evolving demands of our readership. Yet, in these challenges lie opportunities for innovation, reinvention and a reaffirmation of the core values that define our noble profession.”
He stressed that his appointment as an Editor of the most widely read newspaper in Nigeria at a young age was a testament that long years of experience were not a criterion for leadership in the newsroom as being held by some media veterans.
“This perspective (of being old to lead) is both flawed and detrimental to the dynamism of the media industry,” he said, adding, “age is indeed just a number and leadership capability is not determined solely by the length of time one has spent in the industry. Instead, leadership is shaped by dedication, creativity, hard work and often the grace of God.”
He added, “In Nigeria, some years ago, we had the ‘Not too young to rule’ mantra. In the media, we also have the ‘not too young to become a newspaper editor.’”
Other prominent dignitaries and media stakeholders who graced the occasion include the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso; the President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba, and the chairman, Editorial Board, The Nation, Sam Omatseye.
The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, was also represented at the event.
The founder of the Love of Christ Generation Church C&S (Worldwide), Revd. Esther Ajayi, was also present just as families and friends of the ex-editor flooded the event.
The event was chaired by former Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Michael Ikpoti, while the book review was done by the Convener, Centre for Social Media Research, Dr Akin Olaniyan.
While speaking, the Commissioner for Information in Lagos State, Omotoso, said the state government was planning new innovations in the area of ICT as it resonates with the title of the book being launched by Oketola.
The innovations according to the commissioner include the plan to provide public internet access in Lagos.
Past and present staff members and management of PUNCH Nigeria Limited also graced the event.