THE former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has raised an alarm that democracy is in danger, urging Nigerians to continue to sustain the current democratic practices in the country.”
Speaking at the launch of “One Day and a Story,” a book written by Mr Dare Babarinsa, the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, Gaskia Media Limited, Osoba appealed to professionals to save the future of the media industry.
He noted that journalism profession was in danger because of the invasion of the online media.
“The future of journalism is in the hand of professionals and so, I appeal to professionals to save the future of the industry,” he said.
Speaking at the event, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, while saying that the author, Babarinsa, had established a tradition that should be upheld by his colleagues, described him as an “authoritative writer and more than a prolific writer.”
This is just as he enjoined journalists in the country to embark on inspired writing, adding, “Dare, you have established a tradition and I hope your colleagues will uphold this.”
For the Erelu of Lagos, Princess Abiola Sherifat Dosunmu, the book was simply a catalogue of factual history, saying, the citizenry needed more of such to enable them learn from past experiences.
“This book recounts the country’s history and we should have more than this so that we can learn from past experiences. We should have more books of this kind.
”Upcoming journalists may not know how important it is for journalists to document their own experience and also for them to know that the story of a journalist is part of our national story. The institution of journalism is part of the most important institution for the advancement of a democratic society,” she said.
The reviewer, former Managing Director, Daily Times, Dr Adinoyi Ojo Onukaba, described the book, which he said the author started writing in 1997 and finished in 2005, as a simple and accessible prose, pointing out that the prose was “deliciously simple and beautiful.”
“One day and a Story,’ which he started writing in 1997 and finished in 2005, covers the authors years at News Watch from 1984 to 1990. It was also a tribute to his great colleagues like Dele Giwa, Yakubu Muhammed, and the likes.
“Babarinsa writes with affection and respect and admiration for his superiors, colleagues and juniors in the profession with a generous prose. The work is a recount of the country’s experiences and history,” Onukaba said.
Other prominent Nigerians on the occasion were former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Niyi Adebayo, and former Vice Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Ibidapo Obe.
All the dignitaries applauded the author’s efforts, describing such as a tribute to his great colleagues like Dele Giwa, Yakubu Muhammed, and the likes, while tasking Nigerian journalists to continue to fight to sustain the current democratic practice in the country.