In what appears to be Nigeria’s most dramatic “return on investment” complaint yet, a man on Thursday stormed the All Progressives Congress (APC) national secretariat in Abuja with a message as blunt as it was unsettling: reward me or kill me. The protest, captured in a now-viral video, shows the visibly distressed man holding a placard and demanding recognition for what he described as his personal sacrifices during the party’s 2023 campaign. According to him, loyalty was not just emotional, it was financial, physical, and, ultimately, total. In a country where political support often comes with expectations, some spoken, many implied the man’s outcry reads like a tragic audit of misplaced trust. His claim that he sold his house to fund campaign efforts has not been independently verified, but the symbolism is hard to ignore: a citizen liquidating stability in exchange for promised political dividends. Observers at the scene watched as the protester oscillated between anger and ...
"The Bobagunwa of the Pen, whose words have shaped the nation and stirred generations."
The ancient town of Okemesi-Ekiti came alive with vibrant colours, traditional drumbeats, and high-profile guests as veteran journalist, media entrepreneur, and public intellectual, Chief Dare Babarinsa, marked his 70th birthday in grand style. The celebration, which drew an impressive array of dignitaries from across Nigeria, also featured his installation as the Bobagunwa of Okemesi-Ekiti Land—a prestigious chieftaincy title symbolizing his lifelong commitment to truth, culture, and service.
The ceremony was graced by notable personalities including the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji; former Governors of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, and Rauf Aregbesola, former Governors of Ekiti State, Otunba Niyi Adebayo and Engr. Segun Oni, Former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko; retired General Abiodun Ishola; veteran journalist and ex-senator, Babafemi Ojudu; Hon. Israel Famurewa, former member of the House of Representatives; and His Royal Majesty, Oba Abolarinwa Adedokun, the Orangun of Ila. The convergence of such respected figures at the palace in Okemesi underscored the impact and goodwill Babarinsa has garnered over decades of national service.
The Thanksgiving Service held at Saint Michael's Anglican Church, Okemesi-Ekiti, was solemn yet joyful, with family, friends, colleagues, and community leaders offering prayers of gratitude for a life well-lived.
The Journey So Far
Chief Dare Babarinsa, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Gaskiya Media Limited, is a household name in Nigerian journalism. A graduate of the University of Lagos with a Second-Class Upper in Mass Communication (1981), Babarinsa’s pen has shaped national discourse for over four decades.
He began his professional journey with Concord Newspapers in 1982 before joining the pioneering team of Newswatch, and later co-founding the iconic TELL Magazine in 1991. At TELL, he wielded his column as a fearless weapon against tyranny during Nigeria’s years of military dictatorship.
He has served in several editorial capacities, including as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Westerner and contributor to The Guardian newspaper where he was celebrated as one of the Grandmasters of Nigerian journalism. Even after retirement from active newsroom duties in 2005, his pen and presence have remained influential across media, political, and intellectual spaces.
Babarinsa's recognitions include the Journalist of the Year award in 1986 and several international invitations, including by President Houphouët-Boigny of Côte d’Ivoire and the U.S. government. He has authored seminal works such as House of War, One Day and a Story, and Eat Now, Pay Later, and edited The Nigerian Century, a centennial federal government publication.
Beyond Journalism
Dare Babarinsa’s influence transcends journalism. As a founding member of Idile Oodua and chairman of the Alajobi Committee of the Yoruba Nation, he has been a leading light in Yoruba cultural and political thought. His activism for the validation of the 1993 presidential mandate of Chief M.K.O. Abiola and continued service within Afenifere affirm his credentials as both patriot and reformer.
He is a dedicated Anglican, holding several lay leadership positions within the church, including Otun Ijo of Saint John’s Anglican Church, Okemesi, and President of the Band of Light Society of Archbishop Vining Memorial Church, Lagos.
A Legacy Still in Motion
Married to Modupe Ihinosen and father of four, Babarinsa’s journey is marked by excellence, courage, and unwavering service. As he turns 70, his legacy is not only in the powerful prose he penned, but in the institutions, ideas, and generations he has inspired.
The drums of Okemesi may have faded into the dusk, but the echoes of Dare Babarinsa’s impact will resonate for years to come.
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