Award-Winning Journalist Shola Oshunkeye Honored at 70
Nigerian journalist Shola Oshunkeye, who won CNN's African Journalist of the Year in 2006, celebrated his 70th birthday with a special event honoring his four decades of truth-seeking journalism. The celebration included a colloquium on human interest journalism and recognition from Nigeria's president.
A journalist who spent his career fighting for truth and democracy in Africa reached a milestone worth celebrating.
Shola Oshunkeye turned 70 this week, and Nigeria's journalism community gathered at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism in Lagos to honor his remarkable career. The celebration included a book launch and a colloquium focused on "The decline of human interest journalism in Nigeria."
Oshunkeye's career reads like a roadmap of African journalism excellence. He led newsrooms across the continent, from Weekend Concord to The Sun Group, and even served as Managing Director of The Sun Publishing Ghana Limited. He currently runs The Crest Online as President and CEO.
His 2006 CNN/MultiChoice African Journalist of the Year award recognized his investigative work "Niger's Graveyard of the Living." The story exposed harsh realities while centering on human experiences, a hallmark of his career-long commitment to telling stories that matter.
Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu praised Oshunkeye's "unrelenting pursuit of truth, not only in Nigeria but across Africa." The recognition came in an official statement celebrating the journalist's contributions to democracy and accountable governance.
Why This Inspires
Oshunkeye's story shows how one person's dedication to honest journalism can influence an entire continent. His work helped restore democracy in Nigeria during challenging times, proving that truth-telling matters.
The colloquium theme itself reveals Oshunkeye's ongoing concern for journalism's future. By gathering colleagues to discuss human interest reporting, he's passing the torch to younger journalists who will carry forward his commitment to stories that connect with real people.
Former governors, media executives, and royal leaders filled the venue to celebrate not just a birthday, but a legacy. The gathering included former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba as chairman and Ovation Media Group Publisher Dele Momodu as keynote speaker.
As a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Oshunkeye represents the best of African journalism: fearless, focused on humanity, and committed to holding power accountable.
His 70th birthday celebration reminds us that great journalism builds stronger societies, one truthful story at a time.
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Based on reporting by Premium Times Nigeria
This story was written by BrightWire based on verified news reports.
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