Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, will on Monday, May 27, lead other eminent Nigerians to the public presentation of a book of essays in honour of frontline journalist, Dapo Olorunyomi.
Olorunyomi, one of the founders of the famed The News/Tempo magazines in the 1990s, is the publisher of a leading online newspaper, PREMIUM TIMES.
Other special guests expected at the book launch are the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha, a former governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and veteran journalist and politician, Senator Chris Anyanwu.
The book launch, which will take place at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, has the Publisher of Daily Trust, Mallam Kabiru Yusuf, as chairman of the occasion, while Ekiti State governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, will deliver the keynote address.
The book, edited by Chido Onumah and Frederick Adetiba, has over 90 contributions from an assemblage of Mr. Olorunyomi’s teachers, colleagues, associates and mentees, among others.
A statement made available to The Next Edition by the Coordinator, African Centre for Media and Information Literacy and Co-editor of the book, Chido Onumah, noted that the book was conceived after Mr. Olorunyomi’s 60th birthday in November 2017.
According to the statement, contributors to the volume include renowned academics, media executives, journalists, activists and politicians who offered insights into Mr. Olorunyomi’s patriotism, courage, brilliance and acts of generosity through different phases of his life.
Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, Prof Biodun Jeyifo, Prof. Ropo Sekoni, Prof. Umaru Pate, Prof. Lai Oso, Femi Falana, SAN, Dare Babarinsa, Kunle Ajibade, Dr. Sola Olorunyomi and Dr. Tunde Akanni are among the contributors.
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Others are Dr. Tobi Oluwatola, Dr. Kole Shettima, Jude Ilo, Abdul Mahmud, Lanre Idowu, Ibim Semenitari, Idowu Obasa, Dr. Jibrin Ibrahim, Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Richard Akinnola, Sunday Dare, Eze Anaba, Azu Ishiekwene, Owei Lakemfa, Oke Epia, Prof. Farooq Kperogi, Ohimai Godwin Amaize and Lara Owoeye-Wise.
The book, which has a foreword by celebrated poet and author, Odia Ofeimun, will be reviewed by Dr. Chidi Odinkalu.
Onumah further stated that the idea of the book was to document and celebrate Olorunyomi as an accomplished journalist, and to underline the contributions of the media in the struggle for a better Nigeria.
He said, “Olorunyomi is a symbol of how through an independent media and vibrant civil society citizens can press for a better deal. The idea behind this book is to celebrate people while they are here with us. We feel that someone like Dapo who has sacrificed his all for us, deserves to be honoured while alive.
“As readers will note in essay after essay, more than 90 persons came up with their individual testimonies about this man; his courage, integrity, dedication, selflessness and brilliance.”
Onumah added that beyond the launch, the editors and the publishers plan to make the book available throughout the country, and beyond.
