President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has penned a heartfelt birthday tribute to Chief Jola Ogunlusi, a pioneering journalist and former National Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) on his 90th birthday.
In a letter dated October 12, 2024, President Tinubu congratulated Chief Ogunlusi on reaching this milestone, highlighting his remarkable career as a veteran journalist and reputable unionist.
Ogunlusi served as the pioneer National Secretary of the NUJ, Secretary of the Nigeria Press Organisation and member of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism Board.
Tinubu praised Chief Ogunlusi’s leadership, stating that he steered the NUJ through turbulent times, stabilising the association and ensuring its growth to its current enviable status, adding that the Veteran’s contributions to the media profession and the country have been well-documented and appreciated.
The President emphasised that today’s journalists can learn from Ogunlusi’s integrity, honesty and commitment to journalism excellence, saying his influence on the next generation of journalists is immeasurable and he remains a shining example to budding unionists.
“It gives me immense pleasure to write this letter and congratulate you on reaching 90 on September 25, 2024.
“Attaining this age is an important milestone, which has come as an icing on your remarkable career as a veteran journalist and a reputable unionist.
“You were the pioneer National Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Secretary of the Nigeria Press Organisation, and a member of the Nigeria Institute of Journalism Board.
“Because you discharged yourself creditably in all these capacities, describing you as an exemplary professional journalist who lives and breathes journalism is obvious.
“You served the NUJ resolutely and ensured it catered to the interests of its members. As the first NUJ National Secretary, you steered the association through the turbulent period, stabilising it and making sure the union reached the enviable status it has achieved today.
“Your invaluable contributions to the Fourth Estate of the realm and, by extension, to the country are well documented and appreciated.
“Today’s journalists can learn a lot from you about maintaining integrity, honesty, and a commitment to journalism excellence. Your influence on the next generation of journalists is immeasurable.
“You are also a shining example to our budding unionists because, as NUJ Secretary, you demonstrated that union leadership should not be a money-making venture.
“Thank you for your services to the media profession and the country. Your leadership has been instrumental in shaping the profession and ensuring its integrity. Please continue to guide the younger generation and ensure that the NUJ remains virile and can whip into line media practitioners who veer off the path of professionalism.
“I pray that God Almighty will grant you good health and strength even at this advanced age,” the President wrote.
