President Muhammadu Buhari on Saturday sent his warm felicitations to the Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Mr Gbemiga Ogunleye, on his 6oth birthday.
“President Buhari joins staff members and students of NIJ, Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, family and friends of the journalist, lawyer and provost in celebrating the landmark age and his contributions to the development of journalism in Nigeria,” said a statement by President Buhari’s spokesman Femi Adesina.
Adesina said the President believes “the bastion of Nigeria’s democracy remains the press and the courageous and brilliant journalists who daily make sacrifices to verify, clarify and publish the truth”.
He commended Ogunleye “for providing good leadership for the institution that prepares future journalists and hones the skills of those already in the profession”.
“As he turns 60, President Buhari urges the editor and administrator, who worked with many media houses, to use his versatile experience in journalism and legal practice to uplift the nation by ensuring that principles of accuracy, balance, fairness and humanity remain sacrosanct, setting proper standards for citizen journalists.
“The President prays that the almighty God will grant Ogunleye long life, good health and further fire his interest to serve the nation,” Adesina added.
Simon is a renowned international journalist, founder and publisher of TODAY NEWS AFRICA in Washington D.C.
