Veteran journalist and astrologist, Oluyemi Philip Ogunsola has passed away at the age of 62 years.
Ogunsola who is a big advocate of ‘journalistic truth’ in every medium he had practiced died on January 30, 2022 after a brief illness.
His demise was confirmed in a statement issued by a sibling of the deceased, Mr. Kunle Ogunsola.
Kunle, in the statement described his brother as a man who stood for truth and uprightness throughout his lifetime.
He said the reverred journalist will be sorely missed by family and friends.
The statement reads, “The Great Titan has gallantly departed. He was full of wisdom, he was full compassion, he was an embodiment of omoluabi (Good character). He was a great motivator, a great mentor and a great listener. He stood for truth and uprightness all his life. Disliked cheating and never cheated. Loved people and was for humanity.
“I know the stars, the moon and the sun were happy to have you back, while we are here pained with your departure. You studied and loved Astrology, forecasting horoscopes and all. I still await to know from you the positions of the stars, the planets, the moon and the sun at the time you took your last breath.”
Also, the Editor of The New Diplomat, Mr. ‘Dotun Akintomide, in his reaction described the passage of Ogunsola as a great loss to the media sector in the country.
Akintomide described the deceased as a veteran who often “deployed deep philosophical thoughts to illuminate present development and happenings around the country.”
Recounting his experience with Ogunsola, The New Diplomat‘s Editor said he will forever cherish the moment he spent with the deceased while interviewing Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka in February 2021.
According to him, Ogunsola, with his astrology knowledge during the interview impressed the Africa’s literary giant and made the Professor of letters to discuss some hitherto unreported details about his works and matters arising from them.
Akintomide who eulogised the veteran journalist in a statement he posted on Facebook, also prayed to God to grant the family and friends of the deceased the fortitude to bear the loss.
The statement reads, “Due to the distruptive nature of online publishing, at 60+, you could only have a stint with us as the Content Editor of The New Diplomat, but we all are delighted that a veteran like you ever crossed our paths and walked into our newsroom without holding back knowledge.
“One of the fond memories of you that I will forever cherish was the brilliant exchange you had with Prof. Wole Soyinka, when we both interviewed the Nobel Laureate alongside some colleagues from the Guardian in February, 2021 inside the Freedom Park hall in Lagos. As an astrology expert with all the crafty questions you opened up the professor of letters on many unreported accounts of his decades-old works & matters arising.
“An ebullient Soyinka on the day was impressed with all your interventions as he spoke his mind without any reservations. As i glued my eyes to that of Africa’s literary giant, I said to myself in that hall: “Beyond the big story, Prof. has finally met a journalist who understood the depth of his works and the myths around a man bigger than life… and that person happened to be a big fan too” and it was you.
“From running a prognosis on the state of the Nigerian nation to Soyinka’s take on ‘omnipotence’ and Prof’s spirituality, the interview room became a philosophy class with hallowed silence as professor dished out wisdom in an unusual way, an encounter you later wrote a wonderful piece on.
“I was so saddened to hear of your loss, words can’t just say enough. My heart goes out to the entire family you left behind. RIP”
Born on October 26, 1959, Ogunsola had a lengthy and illustrious career in journalism. Prior to his demise, he had worked as a Production Editor at the Guardian before joining the editorial board of The New Diplomat. He was a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).
