The death of legendary journalist, foremost editor and eminent newspaper columnist, Mr Gbolabo Ogunsanwo has led to an outpouring of tributes from Nigerians as those familiar with his stellar work have been having the most of it.
Ogunsanwo was among the last few veteran journalists of his generation before his passage in the early hours of Friday in his late seventies whose sterling accomplishments have been a source of inspiration to many.
He was the editor of Sunday Times in the 1970s and the Daily Times at various times. Noted for his compelling, inspiring and most popular column: “Life with Gbolabo Ogunsanwo,” the late distinguished newspaper editor, writer and journalist spoke truth to power.
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Following the take over of the majority shares of the Daily Times by the then military government, he quit the paper and went ahead to found a magazine called “The Premier.”
The late journalist works and superlative accomplishments have expectedly elicited an ocean of tributes. Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, reserved kind words for the late Editor, while consoling his family and friends.
Abiodun said throughout his pen-pushing career, Ogunsanwo “exemplifies excellence, courage and forthrightness that our State is known for.
“Indeed, he was a role model that nurtured many reporters who have also become legends in the pen-pushing and leaders in other spheres,” noting that the iconic columnist “carried himself with dignity and was considered as conscience of modern Nigeria”.
Speaking on Ogunsanwo’s journalistic prowess, a veteran journalist who had worked with the old Daily Times, Araba Tola Adeniyi, said his then colleague “was a humourist. His writings were both intellectually and scholarly sound.”
Adeniyi said he died on Friday in Lagos on his way to the hospital, adding that the media industry has lost a colossus.
“He was the editor of the Sunday Times and also acting editor of The Daily Times in 1974.
“During his time as the editor, the paper was selling between 950,000 and one million copies in a day. It was unprecedented. We would miss him.”
Former Ogun state Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba described Ogunsanwo’s death as “most unfortunate” while speaking with newsmen. “He was a dynamic and go-getter journalist; one of the greatest writers of his time. May his soul rest in perfect peace,” the journalism icon added.
Chief Ebenezer Babatope in his reaction said “he was a true friend of mine. It’s a bad day for me. I’ve been down since I heard about the death of Gbolabo. It’s terrible. May his soul rest in peace!”
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