I, Araba Rufus Aiyenigba, felicitates an illustrious Okun compatriot and multiple award-wining investigative journalist, the Director of News, TVC, Prince Babajide Kolade-Otitoju (BKO), on his attainment of the diamond age.
BKO, as fondly called in Nigeria’s media space, is a renowned investigative journalist who epitomises ethics, professionalism, and courage of conviction.
As the darling of millions of viewers of Journalists’ Hangout, TVC’s flagship current affairs programme, he has earned an uncommon reputation as a bastion of truth and the tomentor-in-chief of purveyors of falsehood.
As a thorough-bred journalist, he has over the years, gone through the crucible of fire in the course of his career, which accounts for the shining gem which he has become.
As a mentor and inspirational figure to millions of young people, BKO has remarkably impacted the career growth of many of his subordinates and young generation media practitioners.
BKO has done so much for the media industry and nation-building in general, by always speaking truth to power; by holding leaders accountable; by engendering the culture of citizen activism; by being a standard-bearer for the media profession, and by promoting high-octane patriotism, and by his high commitment to building good Nigerian society.
As a community development enthusiast and success-enabler, BKO has indelibly impacted Ekinrin-Adde, his homeland, and the people, particularly the youths, many of whom look up to him as role model.
As a public-spirited giver and value-creator, he has succeeded in writing his name on the sands of time as one of the most influential figures of this era in his community.
BKO’s role in bringing to reality, the Ekinrin-Adde Community Radio (Akogba 88.3 FM), will be told to generations. As Chairman of the Technical Committee that established the radio station (whom I served as Committee Secretary), he mobilized resources and deployed his massive social capital to ensure that the radio came on air. He currently serves as the pioneer Chair of the Board of Trustees.
The unprecedented and amazing success-story of the 2025 edition of Ekinrin-Adde Day Celebrations, which he also served as the Chairman of its planning committee, will continue to be reference and remembered for a long time to come in the community.
As a pride of Ekinrin-Adde, Ijumu and the Okun nation in general, he is greatly valued and celebrated as a good Ambassador of his roots, an exemplar of the cherished Omuluabi ethos of the Okun people.
The BKO essence, which was forged in the furnace of hard work and moral discipline, is an enriching inspiration and a booster for career growth and development of young people. It is an enduring legacy of good name, of character nobility, and a refreshing hope for the great future that we desire for our beloved country.
As we celebrate his stepping up to the sixth ladder of life, it is also a celebration of sixty years of diligence; perseverance; courage; sacrifices, brilliance, and of humanity elevation.
On the occasion of this special milestone, it is fit and proper to declare that his life is a blessing to everyone who knows him; that the world has been better because of him, and that the culture of truth is being significantly entrenched in Nigeria’s media space, and public communications, because of the BKO essence.
I pray that God will bless him with many more decades in good health, peace and joy, and all-round fulfilment.
Hearty congratulations and diamond cheers to Omoba Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, a greatly esteemed public intellectual.
– Araba Rufus Aiyenigba
Acting National Secretary, Okun Development Association (ODA)
