31/10/2025
THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL
Two separate incidents inspired hosted by The Journalism Clinic on 22 October.
The first was a Facebook post, in July 2018. The other was a comment last June, at the 90th birthday event hosted for the publisher of The Vanguard, the much revered Sam Amuka-Pemu.
Founder of The Journalism Clinic, Taiwo Obe (TO) shared the back stories in his welcome remarks, and to a roomful of journalists, amongst them several of the senior media professionals being celebrated that day, who were 70 years and older.
"We are blessed to have here today a few publishers, managing directors and editors--some of whom will soon become elders," Obe said in his welcome remarks, which was essentially an appreciation ritual in itself.
It was an appreciation of all the sponsors, partners, institutions and individuals who bought into the vision of the programme and made it a reality on 22 October.
By coincidence, Appreciation Day also turned out to be a celebration of birthdays. So there was a cake cutting interlude.
Mr Ben Lawrence turned 89 on that day.
Mr Lade Bonuola (aka Ladbone) turned 79.
It was also the birthday of Mr Gbenga Adefaye, Provost of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism, venue of the programme, the previous day.
The list goes on.
"Thank you for being here," TO said in closing. "For a feast without feasters becomes a fast."
