OSOBA IS A ‘CIVILIAN GENERAL’ IN JOURNALISM, NATION BUILDING-SAYS BABANGIDA
The former President while going memory lane with his relationship with Osoba pointed out that he is urbane, cerebral, seasoned and profoundly accomplished journalist who cut his professional teeth at a time when technology was still a huge challenge
‘These days, news travel at the speed of light especially with the upsurge of new media and online media. In those yesteryears, a journalist will have to go extra mile to carry out on the spot investigation in other to uncover the news behind the news. The credibility of the news was as important as the credibility of the reporter. This was where Chief Olusegun Osoba had the cutting edge’,Babangida said.
Penpushing further reports that, Babangida recalled that, as young man in those days, ‘we socialized maximally without thinking about tribe or religion. We made good use of our prime and ensured that we left no stone unturned. Even as Military officers, we had good company in our “bloody” civilians who complimented our networks’.
‘Chief Osoba was one of such “civilian general” who knew so well how to cultivate friendships and derive happiness from a seemingly gloomy situation. He has a knack for unraveling the unknown. He was good at dissecting situations to make a meaning out of them. When we needed to feel the pulse of the nation, Chief Osoba became handy. He was more like a bridge between us and the people’.
The former Nigerian leader stated that, despite being “stubborn” with exemplary brilliance, Osoba has a boss that understands his “wiles” and “tricks” both in letter and spirit, just as he also commended his wife of quintessential orientation and uncommon humility, adding that ‘her ability to manage Osoba’s “excesses” till date deserves more than a golden award.
Penpushing also reports that, Babangida admitted that, Osoba to him, remain, one of the most patriotic Nigerians he has come across in his sojourn in life, stating that, he was not only brutally frank when it comes to speaking his mind, emphasizing that his courage and ability to speak truth to power is an eloquent distinction of his persona.
The former Military ruler added that, Osoba has remain effervescent self for the good of mankind, stating that life is just series of snapshots contained in an album, which has its different phases, saying that that the celebrator should see his age as the phase to slow down.
Hear him, ‘It is a phase of recollections and sober reflections. It is a phase of fond memories of a memorable past, even as you prepare to commence life afresh in your journey of life into a retiring future’.
‘On behalf of Aisha, Muhammad, Aminu and Halima, accept my hearty congratulations on this huge milestone of your 80th birthday. I wish you many happy returns, good health and sound mind. May your years ahead be more remarkable than those you have spent. Happy Birthday’,Babangida wrote
