Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of THE CONCLAVE (an online newspaper), Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo, is still basking in the euphoria of his induction into the elite Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) at a ceremony last Friday in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, even as he continues to receive a deluge of congratulatory messages from prominent Nigerians and significant others.
Those who had sent in their congratulatory messages immediately the induction became public knowledge included the immediate Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Ikanade Agba, Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and rural Development, Dr Ernest Afolabi Umakhihe, a legal luminary, Sir Oladipo Aigbedo Okpeseyi (SAN), Executive Director, Emadeb Energy Group, Mrs Olugbesoye Olujimi, a retired Edo High Court Justice, Roland Amaize, Principal Partner at Advocare Lawyers, Adamson Adeboro (SAN), Chief Corporate Communications Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Femi Soneye, and Director of International Cooperation in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Lanre Adekanye, PhD, among others.
In a letter personally signed by Prince Agba, entitled: “Letter of congratulations” and dated November 20, 2023, he wrote: “Congratulations on your well-deserved induction as a member of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
“Your commitment to journalistic excellence over the years and work ethic have not only earned you this recognition but have also set a shining example for others to follow.
“Throughout the time you served as my Special Adviser on Media (in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning), your contributions were invaluable to our achievements, and I am confident that your skills will continue to shape our public discourse and elevate the standards of excellence we strive for. Please accept my best wishes.”
Sir Okpeseyi wrote: “My Dear Suffy, Congratulations on your induction into the membership of Nigerian Guild of Editors. This is even more important and heartwarming, being professional recognition by your peers. We wish you more elevations within and beyond your professional circle. We wish you abundant grace of God, good health, and long life to enjoy your new status. Congratulations!”
In his missive, Retired Justice Amaize, who has been reading the editorial interventions of Ojeifo over the years and commending the same, penned the following inspiring lines: “To Mr Sufuyan Ojeifo: the news of your induction as a member of NGE is quite heartwarming. It is my hope that it will avail you an opportunity to further and enhance the interests of society through your writings and accompanying uncommon objective analyses. Congratulations!”
Read Dr Umakhihe’s note: “Big, big congratulations, Sufuyan, on your induction into the membership of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.”
While Mrs Olugbesoye Olujimi, Executive Director of Emadeb Energy Group and family friend congratulated Ojeifo on his induction and commended his contributions to the journalism profession, his personal lawyer and friend, Adamson Adeboro (SAN) noted his passion for journalism and how he had deployed the instrumentality of the profession in building bridges of friendship and in promoting issues that verge on public good.
Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mr Femi Soneye, applauded Ojeifo’s passion for the journalism profession, describing his practice of over 30 years as reporter, editor and publisher, as exemplary.
According to Soneye, “Your induction should have happened well over ten years ago. Nevertheless, it is gratifying that your colleagues in the Guild have recognized you with your well-deserved induction at this time. Please continue to keep the flag of commitment to the profession flying. You have been a prolific writer and consummate editor. More power to your elbow, my dear brother. Congratulations!”
Director of International Cooperation in the Ministry of Budget and National Planning, Dr Lanre Adekanye described Sufuyan Ojeifo’s NGE induction as “very well deserved” and wished him well as he continued to practise the trade that had brought him fame.
Recall that Ojeifo and thirty-eight other editors were inducted at Uyo. The General Secretary of the Guild, Iyobosa Uwugiaren, PhD, had said on the occasion that this year’s membership screening process was rigorous, saying that “of the 97 applications that were received, only 38 received the significant approbation of the committee and the Guild.”
The NGE is an elite club of Nigerian editors with over 300 members cutting across the print, broadcast, and online media. Induction into the Guild is like elevation to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria in the legal profession in Nigeria.
The Guild has Nigeria’s journalism greats as patrons, including the inimitable editor and publisher, Mr Sam Amuka of Vanguard newspaper, whose legendary column-“Sad Sam” in The Punch of yore poignantly interrogated societal ills and systemic failures; Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former governor of Ogun state and one-time editor of the Daily Times and Mr Ray Ekpu, an intrepid writer and one of the co-founders of Newswatch magazine. There are other leading lights of the Guild whose guidance has been invaluable.
Incidentally, the troika of Amuka, Osoba, and Ekpu stamped the authority of their presence at the 19th All Nigeria Editors Conference, which rounded off in Uyo on Saturday, November 18, 2023.
