The tributes have kept coming even after his birthday, which happened on 9th May. He was born exactly on that day, 70 years ago. This icon, together with Dele Giwa of blessed memories, Ray Ekpu, Dele Olojede, and May Ellen shaped the landscape of investigative journalism in Nigeria and lifted it to an enviable height.
The tributes that heralded and followed the 70th birthday of Babarinsa were not unexpected.
I met him once and have been struggling to match his face as my senior who was always on roll call with the Principal Ibikunle (Baba Sakoto) for one thing or the other. I have followed his trajectory and meteoric rise on the terrain of journalism.
Without a doubt, Babarinsa has grown into a national icon, and the name resonates with Avid readers, public space intellectuals, and academics in the Diaspora. His articles in newspapers, often laced with historical anectodes, are unparalleled. I have yet to see a peer of him in that arena.
To think that such a great man is from a little known town of Okemesi in Ekiti State and has created an epitaph for himself is quite incredibly awe-inspiring.
It shows he is a product of a disciplined upbringing. It was Plutarch who once said: ““It is certainly desirable to be well descended, but the glory belongs to our ancestors.” His forebears would certainly be proud of him. Posterity will remember him for good.
Babarinsa’s dint of hardwork has paid off. It is a pride for me to attend the same secondary school with this giant. What a coincidence! We are still in the mood of Ife Anglican Grammar school,Ile Ife in Osun State, celebrating 70 years, and we have our own icon @70.
70 hearty Cheers to Dare Babarinsa@
May he live to fulfil his mission to the world.
●Engr Akeju Olagbaju, a retired director in the federal civil service, is based in Abuja.
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