A member representing Obafemi-Owode State Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Hon. Damilola Soneye, has paid glowing tribute to a former Governor of the State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba on his 87-year birthday.
Penpushing reports that Soneye in a congratulatory message described the celebrator as a journalism legend, a patriot, grassroots mobilizer, an altruist, bridge builder and a dogged politician.
The lawmaker pointed out that Osoba, from his days in the newsroom to the media boardroom, his name resonated in all sections and sectors, adding that his human networking even before the internet gained prominence was unparalleled
‘Whether from his sojourn in the Daily Times, or his hay days in the Herald years or his stint in the Sketch or in his governing years in Ogun State, he has consistently been revered, for the bridges he has built across Nigeria’s press, politics, and the people”, Soneye wrote.
Penpushing further reports that he stated that the former Governor remained a humane leader, a journalism icon, and a political figure, whose trajectory had continuously and quietly shaping the nation’s political landscape.
The statement added that Osoba’s high-level interaction with some of the nation’s great leaders and politicians was not accidental, rather, it was through decades of intelligent and deliberate personal contacts; while some others were achieved in the course of duty, even without mobile phones.
“Osoba’s human networking even before the internet gained prominence was unparalleled. Of note, was his closeness to the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who he noted on page 140 of his (Osoba’s) memoirs titled: “Battlelines Adventures in Journalism and Politics”, published in 2018, where he states: ‘…It was after Awo was released from prison by General Yakubu Gowon in 1967 that I became close to him’.
‘I was assigned from Daily Times to cover Awolowo’s tour of Western Region to use his political influence to help contain the political unrest in the country. He came to like me and drew me into his inner circle on account of my professionalism”, he explained.
Penpushing also reports that Soneye recalled that the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader had great interactions with others like the late winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, late Chief Moshood Abiola, his friend and political ally, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Head of State and later elected President, the late Muhammadu Buhari, former President, late Umaru Yar’Adua, former Head of State, and later former President Olusegun Obasanjo, his former Vice, Atiku Abubakar, as well as his co- elected Governors of 1992 and 1999 sets respectively across the nation and other national leaders and rulers to mention a few from the late sixties till date.
The lawmaker acknowledged Osoba’s ability to seamlessly connect and build bridges in the interest of the nation which later became instrumental to the formation of coalition that mounted pressure on the military for the return of the nation to democratic rule or for the progressives in taking over power.
Penpushing reports that Soneye opined that the celebrant’s current national leadership position in the nation political landscape also stemmed from his years of persistent coordination, mobilisation and networking resulting in the coalition that led to the formation of the All Progressives Congress and its eventual taking over of power at Federal level.
The statement quoting from Osoba’s memoirs published in 2018, page 309, that, “The All Progressives Congress (APC) was registered on July 31, 2013 as a political party by the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC). Even though the APC was formally formed on February 6, 2013 by a coalition of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), with a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the journey started as far back as April, 2004”, the lawmaker noted that the celebrant remains a political phenomenon.
“To many of his followers and admirers, Aremo Osoba is a nationalist in the truest sense, a selfless and humane politician, who is irrevocably committed to the development of the grassroots’, he added.
‘He is, in every fibre, ‘a grassrooter’ That foundation was laid in the newsroom; where he began as a reporter, and it is an appellation he still prefers above all titles. It captures the essence of a man who learned the craft from the ground-up, with ink on his hands and truth as his compass.
‘Journalism to Osoba, was never just a profession. It was a school of discipline, inquiry, and service. Through practical, hands-on experience, he mastered the art of storytelling and the responsibility that came with it”.
‘It is on his shoulders some of us find favour which continues to ease our challenge in navigating the murky waters of politics. Thus, that humane touch is his signature. In an area often defined by hard edges, he has remained accessible, measured, and grounded. Power, for him, has always been a tool for service, not distance, a means towards human and infrastructural developments.
‘Hence, we find in him a great compass to navigate the inherent challenges in our quest to better the lives of our people. It is on this note, that I join millions of your supporters, political admirers and ardent followers to wish our journalism icon, elder statesman and national leader who has raised the bar in public service, many more years, full of outstanding accomplishments in the service to our dear State and the nation’.
‘87 hearty cheers to our icon in Obafemi-Owode Local Government, for you have consistently demonstrated that conviction and courtesy can coexist, and that longevity is best measured by relevance’.
‘At 87, Your Excellency makes life reads like a blueprint: start at the foundation, serve with humility, build bridges where possible, and let the work outlive the, moment. It is a model many will study for years to come. A resounding congratulations to our own Aremo Olusegun Osoba”, Soneye added.
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