July 15, (THEWILL) — As ecomiums continue to pour in for former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, as he clocks 86, the lawmaker representing Obafemi-Owode Constituency in the State, Hon. Damilola Soneye, has described him as a humane leader and a journalism Icon.
Soneye, who hailed Osoba for his journalistic doggedness, especially during the time of the military era, while fielding questions from newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital, said that Osoba’s trajectory had contributed to shaping the Nigerian socio-economic and political landscape.
He saluted the former Governor’s exploits in the pen profession as an investigative reporter who discovered the bodies of prominent political figures- the then Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, and Finance Minister, Okotie-Eboh, who were assassinated during the 1966 coup.
“In fact, his life is better described as that of ‘a grassrooter’, who is deeply involved in the foundational aspects of an organisation, industry, people or movement, often starting from the very beginning and working his way up through the ranks. This is more evident in the early part of his professional career as a reporter. Being a reporter is an appellation he prefers to be simply addressed. Aremo Osoba started from the very foundation.
“A veteran in all ramifications, he masters the arts of journalism and grassroots mobilisation better through practicals, hands-on experience and the understanding of the intricacies of the two terrains. It was his gifts that attested to the fact that news reporting is in his blood. This, he did wholeheartedly with a clear commitment, doggedness, resilience, ingenuity, and perseverance for more than half a century.
“As a political leader, Osoba has the rare gift of having easy networks of connections with the rural people, the middle class, as well as the high and mighty. A peep into his journalism journey revealed a man who started from scratch as a cub, writing letters to the Editor, from where he cut his journalism teeth, and soon became a force to reckon with in journalism in Nigeria.
“His exploits as an investigative reporter during the 1960s coup led him to the discovery of the bodies of prominent political figures- the then Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Finance Minister Okotie-Eboh, who were assassinated during the 1966 coup”, he added.
