The Olori Janet Afolabi Foundation (OJAF) has unveiled the Newswatch 5 Lecture Series at Ijakadi Hall, Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos. The event had a dual purpose—to also pay tribute to the late Yakubu Mohammed, a media icon who co-founded Newswatch alongside the late Dele Giwa, the late Dan Agbese, and Ray Ekpu.
Chief Tola Adeniyi, Chairman of the occasion, said Mohammed rebranded journalism in his own image. He noted that Mohammed did not merely find himself in journalism but walked into it prepared and laboured for it.
“He desired, perspired, and acquired the journalism feat. By nature, Mohammed was not flamboyant nor loud, but stayed in his own lane.”
In her speech, the Convener and Founder of OJAF, Olori Janet Afolabi—a CNN award-winning journalist and Queen of Apomu Kingdom—said that when Dan Agbese, co-founder of Newswatch, died last year, she reflected on her journalism career and remembered “the people who shaped me, taught me, corrected me, pushed me, believed in me even when I doubted myself, and gave me a platform to soar. My former bosses are these people. They were mentors, builders of men, and custodians of journalism standards. They taught me that journalism is not just a profession but a public trust. That truth matters. That integrity is not negotiable.”
“It is this debt of gratitude that inspired me to organise this event.”
Ray Ekpu, the only surviving co-founder of Newswatch, in his speech described Yakubu Mohammed as a Muslim who was not an extremist. “He was a decent, civilised and modern Muslim, not infected by the bug of religious irredentism. He was a reporter’s reporter—a careful, thorough and methodical storyteller. He went for facts, truth. He never bent the facts. He never bent the truth.
“When he got elected as the Vice President of the League of Nigerian Columnists, which is headed by journalism legend Chief Tola Adeniyi, I knew that he deserved the honour. And he capped his writing career by bringing out an autobiography titled Beyond Expectations before he died. By writing a book about his life and legacy, he added muscle to his career as a journalist and public intellectual.”
There were reminiscences and tributes from former Military President, retired General Ibrahim Babangida, as well as from family, friends, colleagues, and schoolmates.
The event ended with a vote of thanks by Soji Akinrinade, who praised Olori Janet Afolabi for organising the event and thanked everyone for attending.
The event was well attended. The 200-capacity hall was filled with media elders and dignitaries from all walks of life.
Among those who attended were Oba Kayode Afolabi, the Alapomu of Apomu; His Majesty, Professor Obalanlege, the Olota of Ota; Oba (Engr) Sulaiman Adekunle Bamgbade, the Adimula of Awori Kingdom, Isheri Olofin-Mole; Professor Tayo Popoola, Head of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Lagos; Nosa Igiebor, Editor-in-Chief of Tell magazine; Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Lagos, Professor Oloruntola Sunday; Mohammed Haruna, pioneer Editor of New Nigerian newspaper; ICAN consultant Shina Babatunde; Dame Comfort Obi, Publisher of The Source; and Hon. Helen Emere of the Imo State House of Assembly, among others.