Akinale, an Owu settlement, along Lagos/Abeokuta Road, in Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State, played host to journalists, Public Relations practitioners and Advertising personnel within and outside the state, the way it has never done on Monday, September 23, 2024.
The occassion was the "Media Day for Oba Olufemi Ogunleye", the late Towulade of Akinale, who joined his ancestors on June 19, 2024 in the United Kingdom after a brief illness.
The event was put together by a group of journalists, PR practitioners and Advertising gurus (Under a Media Committe) drawn from within and outside the state.
The committee was driven by a task force which ensured that the ceremony, which idea was mooted within a matter of days did not fail.
The Media Day which kick-started the 4-day funeral activities, fell on the 80th posthumous birthday of the late veteran journalist and PR impresario.
Welcoming dignitaries, Chairman, Central Planning Committee of the passage of Oba Ogunleye, Dr. Kola Adesina extolled the virtues of the late Ogun monarch noting that he was worthy of being celebrated.
Adesina, who is currently Head of Department of Crescent University, Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital thanked every one for finding time to be in attendance.
He told the gathering that the late traditional ruler would have marked his 80th birthday on the very day, (Monday, September, 23) but for death that changed the tide of things.
His words: "what we were preparing for was his 80th birthday until death sneaked in like a thief in the night. We have made necessary arrangements towards this. But as God would have it, things changed and this is what we are having today.
"Who are we to query God?", Dr. Adesina, a close confidant of the late Oba Ogunleye asked rhetorically.
According to him, the late Oba liked to call himself a reporter, "but to me, he was a reporter of reporters. A chief reporter, who has trained many reporters"
"Aside the "Iwe Irohin Fun Awon Egba ati Agbegbe re" which was published in 1859, the first time anyone would attempt any newspaper publishing in Nigeria was through the late Oba Ogunleye".
"At that time, he was Public Relations officer at the Nigeria Airways. Although, he had no money, but he had passion for training young journalists in the arts of writing/ reporting
"I'm bold to tell this gathering that I'm a product of what the late journalism icon stood for not only as a reporter with the "The Village News", but later in 1985 as the editor of the pioneer post-Nigeria Independence community newsreel in the country".
"I was not alone with the "The Village News" back then. The likes of the current Olota of Ota, Oba (Prof.) Abdul Kadir Obalanlege, Dr. Sina Aina, former HOD, Mass Communication, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, ,MAPOLY, Dr. Goke Rauf, Rector, D.S. Adegbenro ICT Polytechnic and Mr. Femi Dokunmu, who retired as Public Relations Manager, Ogun-Osun Rivers Basin Development Authority among others received their initial journalism training from "The Village News"
"As a member of staff of the Nigeria Airways, the late Oba Ogunleye could not use his real names, so we called him "Olufemi Iyanda Omo Bale" as the editor-in-chief of the "The Village News"
In his tribute, former Ogun State Commissioner for Information, Chief (Dr.) Fassy Yusuf, described the late Kabiyesi as a friend, brother colleague in Public Relations and senior colleague in journalism.
"It is sad and incredible that Oba Ogunleye has departed this world to be with his creator. We will all miss him".he said
Going down memory lane, Dr. Yusuf said: " Our path crossed when the late Oba was at the Nigeria Airways and I was at Rod Publicity, Lagos. We have many things in common; particularly our passion for education and excellence. I remember when I was in the UK, he was always there for me, giving me free tickets to the UK and the US. One thing you can't take away from him was his humility and his passion for community service.
"He has gone to rest with his creator. The angels will be singing his praises as we here that he left behind will be lamenting his death as well as melancholise his passage. But who are we to challenge God for his passage. We shall miss Kabiyesi and I will personally continue to cherish Oba Ogunleye", the Ijebu-born veteran journalist and PR icon stated.
Chairman of the ceremony, Dr. Niran Malaolu, who extolled the virtues of the late monarch said a man who lived in the hearts of men do not usually die.
"For Oba Ogunleye, he did not die, he is very much alive. Kabiyesi o ku o. We're not mourning, but celebrating him as he lives in our hearts. Kabiyesi, as a reputable journalist and PR man was a fantastic one who for long would be remembered. Oba Ogunleye was a man of value. What is the meaning and worth of a man that lacks value in life?".
The Olowu of Owu Abeokuta, Oba Saka Matemilola, Otileta VII, veteran journalist, writer, public analyst and commentator, Chief Tola Adeniyi, Elder Eddie Aina, Mr. Kehinde Onasanya, Head of Service and others featured in an electronic slide, extolling the virtues of Oba Ogunleye.
A veteran journalist from Oyo State, Banji Ogundele whose tribute was read by Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, Tunde Abatan, Fatai Akinbola, Dr. Goke Rauf, Mr. Femi Dokunmu, Dele Akinsola among others paid their farewells.
An electronic display of press clips of the Village News stories were also played with many of the then reporters, remembering with nostalgia.
There was also a panel of discussion on the topic: "The Future of Journalism and Public Relations in Nigeria after Oba Ogunleye". This section was anchored by Mr. Sade Adebimpe of the CUAB.
Participants at the session included Dr. Wasiu Tejuoso, senior lecturer, MAPOLY, veteran broadcaster, Kitan Oyesiku and Mr. Sade Adebimpe, the moderator.
A cultural display and drama sketches depicting the life and times of Oba Ogunleye was staged by members of the Ogun State Cultural Group.
For few minutes, Muyiwa Sanni Arewa, an Ewi exponent, radio presenter and newscaster rendered an Ewi on the late Ogun monarch.
Olori 'Nike Ogunleye led children of the late monarch and family members to the ceremony who included Prince Dele Ogunleye, Princess Funke Bisi Ajala and Princess Bunmi George.
Other Oba Ogunleye's children in attendance were Princess Olaitan Okeade, Prince Olumide Ogunleye, Prince Damilola Oladeinde, Folagbade and Subulade, who are Ogunleye prince and princess.
Prominent journalists who attended the rare occassion were Septuagenarian Elder Eddie Aina, PR Primus CEO, Mr. Akin Okudero, Ogun NUJ Chairman, Wale Olanrewaju, Veteran Journalist and publisher of Prestige Newspapers, Mr. Dada Olanipekun, Mr. Dara Adebimpe, formerly of the OGTV, Bunmi Adigun, Secretary, NUJ, Ogun state and Dare Folarin, formerly of the Glo.
Others were Barrister 'Demola Badejo, the Sports editor and enthusiast, Gboyega Okegbenro, Dele Ayodo, journalist and public analyst and commentator, Fatai Akinbola of the College of Broadcasting, Abeokuta, Mr. Idris Katib, Public Relations Officer, CUAB, Kunle Olayeni, Waheed Ogunjobi, Vice Chairman and Alhaja Adijat Olaleye, Secretary, Vice Chairman and Treasurer of NIPR, Ogun State Chapter respectively.
Former Director News, VON, Austin Elewedalu, Sesan Bankole, ace photographer, Elder Dele Akinsola of the News Agency of Nigeria and currently Protem Secretary, League of Veteran Journalists, Ogun State and Co-ordinator of Ogun State Task Force on Human Trafficking, Alhaji Kola Soremi also honoured the late monarch with their presence.
Dr. Jamiu Folarin, Dr. Toyin Salam, both of CUAB, Mrs. Stella Sawyer of the Apple & Pears, Chief Abidemi Osunbiyi, fondly called Baba Osun, by his MAPOLY students and admirers, Tunde Abatan, publisher of "New Dawn", an online publication also attended the ceremony.
An Owu kingmaker and Iwarefa, Orunto Abiodun 'Lasile and Chief Akinpelu Browne, the Omotobase of Owu Kingdom, Princess Olufunmilayo Fadipe, Hon. Olu Fatoki, the Oganla of Owu Kingdom and Mr. Seyi Oladimeji, who represented the Ogun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Waheed Adesina also graced the occassion among other personalities.
In a bid to immortalise the late Owu Oba, the Media Committee for the burial of late veteran journalist and PR icon, announced that the "Media Day" would be an annual event.
Also, Chairman, Ogun State NUJ, Comrade Wale Olanrewaju announced the council's institution of an annual "Investigative Reporter Of The Year Award" in memory of the late Oba.
There were health checks for residents as well as for dignitaries and journalists who went home with free drugs and pieces of glasses
The event was streamlined live by the Penpushing Media whose founder, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji is a close pal of the late veteran journalist and Public Relations guru.
An On Air Personality, Emmanuel Oke, from the Fresh FM, Abeokuta, anchored the event that started slightly behind the scheduled time (about 12.39pm) and ended about twenty minutes to five o'clock in the evening.
A popular one-man band, "Segun Rockers" serenaded journalists and other dignitaries who converged on the community that was founded by the borebears of the late iconic monarch.