LANRE OGUNDIPE CELEBRATES GBENGA ADEFAYE AT 65, COMMENDS HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO NIGERIAN JOURNALISM
I join family members, friends, colleagues and admirers of Gbenga Adefaye in celebrating his 65th birthday, with warm wishes and sincere appreciation for his contributions to journalism and the development of the media profession in Nigeria.
Gbenga’s professional journey reflects a lifetime of commitment to journalism, editorial excellence and the advancement of the profession. From his years at Vanguard to his leadership roles in the Nigerian Guild of Editors, he has remained actively involved in the growth and institutional development of Nigerian journalism.
His appointment as Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism was particularly significant. It was not only a recognition of his professional standing, but also an opportunity to advance a cause to which he has long been committed: ensuring that journalism education, professional training and the intellectual capacity of Nigerian media practitioners measure up to the standards of their counterparts in more established media environments around the world. He understands that the future of journalism depends not only on the courage to report, but equally on sound education, professional competence and continuous development.
Beyond journalism, Gbenga is a prince of Ile-Ife, deeply conscious of his cultural heritage and the responsibilities that accompany royal lineage. He understands that royalty is more than ancestry or title; it carries obligations of dignity, cultural appreciation and respect for tradition. He embodies these values without pretence or unnecessary display.
He is also a genuine admirer of brilliance, intellectual depth and scholarship. He appreciates substance, wherever it is found, and recognises the value of both established and emerging minds. This disposition may well explain the esteem in which he is held across generations, from senior colleagues who have witnessed his professional journey to younger practitioners who have drawn from his experience and example.
I have known Gbenga as a colleague and friend. His 65th birthday therefore offers me an opportunity not only to celebrate him, but also to acknowledge a life distinguished by professional service, cultural rootedness, intellectual appreciation and enduring friendships.
At 65, he is approaching the biblical milestone of three score years and ten. This is a fitting moment to celebrate the journey so far and to wish him many more years of good health, fulfilment, intellectual engagement and meaningful service to humanity.
Happy birthday, dear Gbenga. May the years ahead be rewarding, and may Nigerian journalism continue to benefit from your wisdom, experience and commitment to the profession.
Lanre Ogundipe
Former President, Nigeria Union of Journalists and Africa Union of Journalists
