Dare Babarinsa’s 70th birthday anniversary book launch attracts eminent Nigerians

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Veteran journalist and media enterprenuer, Chief Dare Babarinsa, launched a book to kick off activities marking his 70th birthday anniversary on Tuesday, May6, 2025.

Chief Babarinsa’s 70th birthday anniversary falls on May 9, 2025, the book launch held at the Airport Hotel, in Lagos, will dovetail into the climax of the event in Okemesi, in Ekiti State, the celebrants hometown, on May 9.

The book book drew many eminent Nigerians, including
former governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yoruba land, Gani Adams and Senator Dayo Adeyeye.

Other important Nigerians at the event included Chief Olusegun Osunkeye, former Managing Director/CEO of Nestle Foods, Senator Ayo Arise, Engineer Oyedele, Chief Esan Ogunleye, Professor Ralph Akinfeleye, Mr. Tola Mogbolurin, and others.

Also, the Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, was represented at the event, all of them paying tributes to the renowned Nigerian journalist and former Executive Director of Tell Magazine and Chairman, Gaskia Media Limited, Dare Babarinsa at 70, describing him as a great writer.

They spoke at a book presentation by Babarinsa and entitled: 𝑬𝒂𝒕 𝑵𝒐𝒘, 𝑷𝒂𝒚 𝑳𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 in Lagos.

For the OoduaPeoples Congress, OPC leader, Gani Adams, Babarinsa was one of the heroes of the current civil rule, as he with others fought for democracy during the inglorious IBB/Abacha military eras.

He recalled: “I know his sacrifice during the June 12 struggle. He is very deep about history.”

Chairman of the birthday committee, Senator Adeyeye, described Babarinsa as one of the best journalists Nigeria has ever produced.

To Adeyeye, Babarinsa is a storyteller, an icon, historian, reserved and unassuming. He has made his contributions to the upliftment of this country. At 70, he is still young at heart.”

The book reviewer, Shola Oshunkeye, said the book is divided into 25 chapters, describing Babarinsa as his ancestor and mentor in journalism profession.

In the book, he added that the author documented important records and milestones, making the book a must read.

Professor of Journalism at the University of Lagos, Ralph Akinfeleye, described Babarinsa as one of his students that he diligently worked with.

Chairman of the event, Ife Oyedele, expressed concern over the state of the nation.

Responding, Babarinsa, who acknowledged the guests for gracing the event, stated that in the book, “𝐸𝑎𝑡 N𝑜𝑤, P𝑎𝑦 L𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟,” “the reader is served, in exhilarating details, vignettes of modern Nigerian history, from the heroic exploits of Chief Moshood Abiola and the inner power plays that culminated in the June 12 debacle to the demands of modern democracy and the new challenges facing the historically influential Nigerian media. He added, “but we are glad that we still have people like Dare who are the conscience of our nation.”