Sometime in December of 2005, Sufuyan Ojeifo, whom we all fondly call OJ, strode into the offices of Trust Newspapers then in Wuse Zone 6, Abuja.
A masterclass in delusion: Shredding Attah’s BPP tantrum, By Sufuyan Ojeifo
Serving then as the Deputy Editor of the Weekly Trust, my earliest recollection of OJ from that time is that of an easygoing fellow, laid back and not the type to seek to be the centre of attention. In a profession often defined by noise and flamboyance, he stood apart, calm, deliberate, and remarkably steady.
The newsroom, alive with the buzz of agitated journalists under the urgency of deadlines, welcomed a man whose presence was as serene as a moonlit savannah. OJ sought neither spotlight nor spectacle, preferring instead the quiet dignity of substance.
He covered politics and did so with the deft touch of a craftsman skilled in his profession. Within six months, he had moved on to cover the National Assembly for ThisDay, where his balanced yet incisive reporting quickly set a new standard. It was clear that OJ was not merely passing through the newsroom. He was charting a legacy.
What struck me beyond his remarkable journalism was his character. OJ has always been a man of rare integrity, choosing a path of discipline and uprightness in an industry where shortcuts often seduce.
He is a faithful family man whose devotion at home mirrors his deep faith in God, now sanctified as an ordained pastor. He has walked through the demanding terrain of Nigerian journalism without the baggage of unethical behaviour, and in so doing, has shown younger colleagues that one can thrive by holding fast to virtue.
Our paths converged again almost a decade later on a communications team OJ put together committed to strengthening Nigeria’s public narrative. He invited me and a few like‑minded colleagues to join him on what proved to be an interesting adventure and the forging of new friendships.
It was nation‑building in practice, a mission to ensure that the people’s hopes were not drowned out by cynicism. In meetings thick with debate, we drafted articles against the clock, while OJ quietly ensured that our words reached the right ears and carried the right weight.
His instincts, his network of contacts, and his knack for opening doors turned ideas into impact. Together, we found fulfilment not in applause but in the quiet satisfaction of shaping the story of our country.
Like all enduring friendships, ours has had its tests, but always, we returned to the path of mutual respect. That is OJ, in essence, generous in spirit, peace loving in temperament, and ever ready to see beyond a disagreement to the larger picture of shared purpose. In this regard, there is no shame in admitting that I learned from OJ to focus on what joins us rather than what might separate us. There is so much good that we can do together in unity than apart.
Today, as OJ turns 59, he stands as one of Nigeria’s most respected media figures. From his tenure at ThisDay and Vanguard to his present role as Editor‑in‑Chief of The Conclave, he has built a reputation that commands honour without demand.
His induction into the Nigerian Guild of Editors was a recognition of decades of unflinching service to the truth. His years as Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning further affirmed his ability to serve the nation beyond the newsroom, translating skill into public good.
Yet the measure of the man lies not only in his titles but in the stories that ripple out from his work. One of them, told with his usual modesty, recalls 6how a ministerial nominee, moved by an article OJ had written about two new appointees, sought him out and later made him a media aide. Such is the OJ effect, where rigorous analysis becomes real‑world impact, where words build bridges and earn trust.
To be clear, OJ’s influence flows from substance, not swagger. His clout is built on trust, not transaction. He does not hold court, yet he holds space for others. He is a man of integrity, approachable, generous, and deeply humane. If OJ says he will do A, he will do A, not B. You can depend on his word.
He has also become, whether he knows it or not, a mentor by example. Young journalists seek him out, not for favours but for guidance. They find in him a blueprint that proves it is still possible to practise journalism without bending to compromise. In a profession too often scarred by indiscretion and shifting loyalties, OJ remains a fortress of credibility.
At 59, OJ continues to out‑write, out‑think, and out‑work journalists half his age. His Rolodex rivals the archives of any newsroom, yet he remains remarkably accessible. When junior colleagues attempt to test his pace, he answers not with boast but with the quiet mastery of a piece filed on time, crisp and clear, a reminder of what true craftsmanship looks like.
And for those who think his strength is only of the mind, they would do well to follow him to the gym. OJ at 59 still has the stamina to outrun younger reporters, and soon has younger men at the gym gawking in wonder and gasping to keep up with his routine. It is the same discipline he brings to his writing, a refusal to coast, a determination to keep pushing the limits of what is possible.
So here is my salute to my friend and connector to roles of substance, OJ Wonder, faithful family man, partner in nation‑building, and brother of the pen. May this year mark a crescendo of blessings. May your path be paved with the goodwill of those you inspire, and the justified recompense of those you have served with your own goodwill. May your pen never run dry, and your light never dim.
Happy 59th Birthday, OJ Wonder. May you continue to walk tall, a paragon of virtue in a world that needs your kind.
● Oduobuk, a writer, editor, and communications specialist, writes from Abuja.
READ MORE:
NNPCL debacle and the proverbial “Ojú la rí, ënìkan ò r’ínú”, By Sufuyan Ojeifo
Reforms: How Nigeria and Kenya are rewriting Africa’s procurement “playbook”, By Sufuyan Ojeifo
Addressing CIPSMN’s grouse about BBP’s training and certification mandate, By Sufuyan Ojeifo
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
