Veteran editor marks milestone birthday: Aremo Segun Osoba turns 87

On 15 July 2026, Chief Aremo Olusegun, also known as Segun Osoba, marked his 87th birthday, an occasion that allows many Nigerians to honor an accomplished journalist, former Governor of Ogun State, and esteemed public figure.

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For members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, however, this milestone is also a chance to celebrate a man who has maintained an unbroken bond with the profession that shaped him, despite achieving great heights in public service.

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The Nigerian Guild of Editors has produced numerous distinguished professionals who went on to become prominent figures in various fields, including publishing, diplomacy, and politics, but many have become less involved in the day-to-day affairs of the profession as they assumed greater responsibilities.

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Aremo Osoba has taken a different path, remaining deeply committed to journalism and the Guild, even as he rose to become Governor of Ogun State and a leading political figure in Nigeria.

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He has stayed close to his colleagues, identified with the profession, and continued to contribute to its growth and prestige, setting him apart from others who have distanced themselves from their professional roots after achieving success in public life.

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There are distinct categories of professionals: journalists who become editors, editors who become media executives, and media executives who venture into politics, but Aremo Osoba belongs to a rare group of individuals who have defied these conventional patterns.

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The newsroom has never left him, and more importantly, neither has the Guild, demonstrating his enduring loyalty to the profession and the organization that has been his professional home.

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My association with Aremo Osoba spans several decades, but it became closer after my election as General Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in 2001, during which the late Mrs. Remi Oyo served as President of the Guild.

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Throughout that period, Aremo Osoba was a dependable pillar of the Guild, offering wise counsel, sound judgment, and quiet encouragement whenever the leadership sought his advice, never seeking recognition for his contributions.

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His authority stemmed from his experience, credibility, and the respect he had earned over many decades of distinguished service to journalism, and he believed that the Guild was bigger than any individual, with every editor having a responsibility to protect its integrity and strengthen its unity.

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As our relationship grew, I came to know him beyond his public image, and he treated me with warmth, affection, and genuine friendship, never making me feel like I was interacting with a former governor or national political figure, but rather as a colleague and member of the same professional family.

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His humility is one of the qualities I admire most about him, and at numerous Nigerian Guild of Editors conferences, including the Annual All Nigerian Editors Conference, lectures, seminars, award ceremonies, and other media engagements, we shared memorable moments.

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Those occasions provided opportunities for meaningful conversations on journalism, governance, leadership, and the future of Nigeria, and listening to him was like attending a master class delivered by someone with vast experience in the media profession and public service.

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Beyond formal sessions, the social moments at Guild gatherings also remain memorable, with many colleagues fondly recalling his graceful dancing steps during gala nights, induction ceremonies, and other informal interactions, revealing his warmth, humility, and ability to connect with colleagues across generations.

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Aremo Osoba's consistency is a remarkable characteristic, as public office never changed him, and political prominence never detached him from journalism, with him remaining approachable, accessible, and genuinely interested in the welfare of journalists and the progress of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

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It is not surprising that he hardly misses major media events, whether it is the Nigerian Guild of Editors' Annual National Convention, the All Nigeria Editors' Conference, or other significant gatherings of media professionals, as his attendance is a demonstration of his enduring loyalty to journalism and the Guild.

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His presence at such events sends a powerful message to younger journalists, telling them that journalism is a lifelong calling deserving of commitment and pride, and that professional relationships should be nurtured and sustained, regardless of the heights one may attain in public life.

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Mentorship has become a defining feature of his life, with countless journalists, editors, publishers, and media managers benefiting from his guidance and encouragement, as he leads by example, follows the careers of younger colleagues, and quietly offers advice when necessary.

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His journalism career is firmly established in Nigeria's media history, beginning at the Daily Times, where he distinguished himself as one of the country's finest investigative journalists before rising to become Editor and later Group Managing Director.

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His stories were respected for their accuracy, courage, and professional execution, earning him the confidence of readers and the respect of colleagues through competence rather than sensationalism, and when he ventured into politics, he carried these values into public office.

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His administration as Governor of Ogun State reflected discipline, accountability, and dedication to public service, yet political success never erased his identity as a journalist, and he remained proud of his professional roots, never hesitating to identify with his colleagues in the media.

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The Nigerian Guild of Editors has benefited immensely from his continued involvement over the years, with successive leaderships drawing from his wisdom and institutional memory, and his interventions often promoting unity, stability, and professionalism within the Guild.

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Younger editors see in him a model of ethical leadership, while older colleagues value his unwavering commitment to the ideals upon which the Guild was built, and in an era where public recognition sometimes breeds distance and titles create barriers, Aremo Osoba has remained refreshingly different.

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He has demonstrated that greatness is measured not only by the offices one occupies but also by the relationships one preserves, and that humility is compatible with achievement, and leadership is ultimately about service.

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Personally, I remain deeply grateful for his friendship, encouragement, and confidence over the years, which strengthened my commitment to the Guild and reinforced my belief in the enduring values of ethical journalism.

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As Nigeria celebrates Aremo Segun Osoba at 87, the occasion is not just about longevity, but about a lifetime devoted to journalism, public service, and nation-building, and a man whose influence extends beyond newspaper pages and political office into the lives of generations of journalists he has inspired and mentored.

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For many of us in the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Aremo Osoba is more than an elder statesman or a former governor; he remains a trusted colleague whose passion for journalism has never diminished, and his unwavering presence at Guild activities, readiness to mentor younger editors, and enduring commitment to the ideals of the profession have made him an editor who never left the Guild.

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As he celebrates his 87th birthday, I join his family, friends, colleagues, and countless admirers across Nigeria and beyond in thanking Almighty God for a life of uncommon accomplishment and selfless service, and I pray that God grants him continued good health, strength, peace of mind, and many more years of fruitful service to journalism, our country, and humanity.

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Happy 87th Birthday, Aremo, your life remains an enduring testimony that while offices come and go, character, friendship, and professional loyalty are the true measures of greatness.