Obasanjo’s unique birthday gesture to a journalist

“Baba, I must confess you have added value to my life today for the honour you bestowed on me, I am overwhelm, and I am very grateful. What you see in me to give me this honour, I pray God will not allow Satan to derail me from the qualities found in me. I am short of words.”

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DEFINITELY, it was an unexpected gift from such a high quarters.  And for it to have come from a man many believed he is not into frivolity, definitely it was a well deserved one.

Indeed, when ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo mooted the idea of honouring the former Zonal Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), it was a surprise gift to the Ijesa prince from the Risawe Ruling House.

But significantly, Obasanjo had his reasons to throwing the birthday bash for Dimeji who has really cut his teeth in journalism profession with over two decades of practice many of which have been spent in the Gateway State.

A no-frivolity Obasanjo said that he decided to celebrate Dimeji, who attended the event with his highly elated two sons, because he has been found to be not only a responsible individual, but a responsible journalist.

‘Ti Omode ba mo owo we, Aba Agba jeun’ (If a younger person is responsible he would always dine and wine with the elders),” Obasanjo who clad in white kaftan and spoke in Yoruba stressed.

“Dimeji, iwo mo owo we, ode nba agba jeun” (Dimeji, you are of worthy behaviours, hence, you will always be in the midst of the elders),” the ex-President, who ruled between 1999 and 2003 and 2007 and 2011 on the plaform of his erstwhile party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before he tore his membership car ahead of last general election, enthused.

No doubt, in his often characteristic manner, Obasanjo took the moment to explain his relationship with the media personnel and his perception of the profession.

While emphasising that he would remain blunt in his views, the Ota farmer said that he was quite aware that many journalists were bad, but few still retain their integrity with display of professional excellence.

As a result of this, Obasanjo said he would not hesitate to celebrate the good journalists in the society, while explaining that he never hate journalists, except those he considered as displaying irresponsible behaviour in the practice of their profession.

As if calling on the umbrella body of journalists, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to be alive to its responsibilities, the former president said that irresponsible journalism should not be allowed in journalism.

“I remain myself and I will continue to remain myself in being blunt. I don’t hate the media, but there are some bad eggs in the profession, and this must not be allowed, and the truth must be told,” Obasanjo, who handed over power to ex-President Shehu Shagari in 1979, said. “However, not all journalists are bad, hence, the need to celebrate the good ones, as we are all witnessing today’, Obasanjo emphasized.”

Bad journalism, the former president said, should not be allowed to thrive, adding that he would not stop at condemning such act in all ramifications while he would continued to celebrate the good ones.

He, however, stressed that journalists are expected to play meaningful roles in the society, explaining that, he was not against genuine criticism from the media, but the practitioners must always be sincere and committed to the ethics of the profession.

Among those listening to Obasanjo, besides the “birthday boy”, at the Banquet Hall of the Obasanjo home were guests and well wishers.

They included notable dignatories from the Iyalode of Yorubaland, Chief (Mrs) Alaba Lawson, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe (former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos), Chief Segun Odegbami (former Green Eagles Captain), Aare Lekan Alabi (veteran journalist), Comrade Tunde Oladunjoye (former PDP Deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State), Engr. Dideolu Falobi (President, Ijesaland Development Foundation), and Alhaji Ayinde Soaga(General Manager Ogun State Television).

Also present at the modest but colorful event were Omooba Segun Adewale (former PDP governorship aspirant in Ogun State), Tunde Sodeke (former Chairman, Ogun State NUJ), Neye Kehinde, Funsho Akinwande, Kehinde Akinyemi of Daily Trust newspapers, Kemi Otegbade, Oyin Onime and Wole Shokunbi (Chairman, Ogun NUJ).

It was commendation galore for Dimeji from those who knew him, particularly in the discharge of his responsibilities as a journalist of repute.

Ambassador Tunde Oladunjoye, also a journalist, described Dimeji as a thoroughbred journalist.

His words: “Dimeji is my senior colleague in the profession, a former zonal secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, who oversees the South-West about ten years ago.

“I know his qualities and appreciate him as thoroughbred journalist. He stands by the truth and writes stories the way it should be and doesn’t mind whose ox is gored. He is a journalist that any serious journalist should see as role model in the profession.”

Oladunjoye, one-time chairman of Ijebu-East Local Government, added: “He stands by the truth in his write up. As am talking to you now, he remains the best investigative journalist in the state.”

“I must say this, he deserved this honour, and for Baba to have considered him for this honour, I know he must have won Baba Obasanjo’s heart,” the ambassador of peace stressed.

Fellow Ijesa citizen, Falobi, the journalist remains a worth ambassador of Ijesaland, who has again brought Ijesaland into limelight in a positive way with the honour done to him by Obasanjo.

“Dimeji is my kinsman, a friend and a brother, I don’t regret knowing him,” Falobi said, adding: “We have had course to work together towards Ijesaland development growth, and I can tell you his commitment towards his homeland, and this also reflects in his journalism practice.”

The president of Ijesa body also said of Dimeji: “He is blunt and will tell you the home truth whether you want to listen to it or not. With this honour Baba showered on him, I want to publicly say that he is an Ijesa good ambassador and we are proud of him.

“Interestignly, he is a Prince from Ilesa and came from Risawe ruling house, which happens to be one of the famous ruling houses in Ilesa.”

Alabi was not left out in the showering of encomiums on Dimeji, as he pointed out that the Ijesa man is a known vibrant journalist, who loves the profession with passion, adding that his skill in the profession is not in doubt.

“I appreciate the journalism competence of Dimeji, I can vividly recall just recently when I brought the family of Adegoke Adelabu on a visit to the former president, I contacted Dimeji to help me coordinate the media, and I can tell you the end result was fantastic.

“I am proud of him and happy to be associated with him. He is a man that journalism radiates in his blood and the younger ones should learn from his dexterity in the profession.”

Alabi, who was the spokesperson for Odu’a Group of Companies, emphasised: “For Baba Obasanjo to have decided to honour him shows that he must have seen good qualities in him.”

Ibidapo-Obe, who said Dimeji is his first cousin, and knowing his background, he is expected to be responsible as noticed by Obasanjo to have honoured him.

The former Vice-Chancellor said that when his cousin contacted him to attend the event, he never gave it a second thought, because for the former President to have found him worthy to be honoured, it’s a clear indication of his sterling qualities.

“Dimeji is my first cousin, and from his background right from Ilesa, I don’t expect anything less. So when he sent text to me that, Baba is to host him and invited me, I never give a contrary view to it, because I know he is a blessing to Ijesaland and the family,” the ex-university don said.

“So on behalf of our family back in Ilesa, I want to thank Baba Obasanjo for this honour,” he stressed joyfully.

Iyalode of Yorubaland, in her remark, said she had known the lucky journalist since 1982, and never found him wanting, stressing that that was one of the qualities that made her to be close to him.  Till date I have no regret associating with him, she said.

Lawson added further that for Obasanjo to have consider him for this great honour, which some people are looking forward to, but didn’t get, shows that he is dearly love by the former President, stressing that it is a known fact that Obasanjo doesn’t just celebrate anybody who doesn’t worth it.

Lawson said: “I have known Dimeji since 1982, and I can say boldly and openly that I have no regret associating with him. He is a journalist of repute and respect. He does not compromise his integrity, and that is why many of us are proud to be associated with him.”

Iyalode Lawson also called on the Dimeji to see the honour as one that should further motivate and spur him to another greater height, pointing out that Obasanjo honour’s given to him was highly commendable.

A highly elated Dimeji could not hide his joy when it was time for response to myriad of praises showered on him.  With bountiful joy visible written on his face, the Ijesa prince expressed profound appreciation to the former President, saying Obasanjo had added value to his life.

“Baba, I must confess you have added value to my life today for the honour you bestowed on me, I am overwhelm, and I am very grateful,” Dimeji said.  “What you see in me to give me this honour, I pray God will not allow Satan to derail me from the qualities found in me.  I am short of words.”

He stressed: “All I know is that, it is God who gives rewards, Baba I pray that God will reward you bountifully, and for all my guests, I want to equally appreciate you all, for being part of this my success story.”

“Joy will remain a permanent resident in the home of all of you; you have made my day and added to my joy,” Dimeji prayed at the joyful “special birthday” get-together.