LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)– Distinguished group of royal fathers, politicians and media executives is set to honor veteran journalist, Chief Shola Oshunkeye, President and CEO of The Crest Online, as he marks his 70th birthday with a special colloquium and book launch in Lagos.
The event holds today, Thursday, April 23, starting at 11 a.m., at the Sir Kessington Adebutu Media Resource Centre of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Ogba.
It is expected to draw influential voices from across journalism, governance and business.
Tributes have continued to come in the honor of Oshunkeye, who officially turned 70 on April 20, 2026.
Among those who celebrated him is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, whose message was conveyed in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
In the statement, the President praised Oshunkeye’s long-standing dedication to journalism and democratic values.
He “happily notes Oshunkeye’s unrelenting pursuit of truth, not only in Nigeria but across Africa, culminating in his 2006 award as the CNN/Multichoice African Journalist of the Year for his investigative work, Niger’s Graveyard of the Living.”
Notably, His Imperial Majesty, Owa Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, will attend as Royal Father of the Day.
Former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, will chair the occasion, while Ovation Media Group publisher, Aare Dele Momodu, is billed to deliver the keynote address.
The colloquium, focused on the future of storytelling in Nigeria’s media space will examine a pressing issue in the media industry, with the theme: “The decline of human interest journalism in Nigeria.”
The discussion is expected to spark conversations around storytelling, public engagement and the evolving role of journalism.
In addition to the dialogue session, a book in honour of Oshunkeye will be launched. Notably, Chairman and Founder of Nairapoint Finance Limited, Funke Otti, will serve as Chief Launcher, while the Editor of Saturday Tribune, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, will review the publication.
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Adding to the ceremony’s prestige, former Osun State Deputy Governor and ex-Minister of State for Defence, Erelu Olusola Agbeja-Obada, will serve as Mother of the Day.
Over the years, Oshunkeye has built a remarkable career, serving in key editorial roles including Editor of Weekend Concord, Senior Associate Editor at TELL Magazine, and General Editor at The Sun Group.
He also led The Sun Publishing Ghana Limited as Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief before founding The Crest Online.
His recognition as the 2006 CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year remains one of the high points of his career, reflecting his commitment to investigative reporting and impactful storytelling.
The celebration in Lagos stands as both a tribute to Oshunkeye’s legacy and a moment to reflect on the future of journalism in Nigeria’s fast-changing media landscape.
