GAS SALUTES LADBONE: OKE-OGUN’S KISHI-BORN GIANT CROWNED WITH NATIONAL HONOUR FOR DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
BY ALHAJI ABDUGANYU SALAMI [aka GAS]
GREATRIBUBETVNEWS–RETIRED Perm Sec Abdulganiyu Salam overjoyed as journalism legend gets federal recognition
Key Points from Alhaji Abdulganiyu Salam’s Congratulatory Message:
1. A Towering Son of Oke-Ogun Celebrated for Shaping Nigerian Journalism
_”I pen this emotional, laden congratulatory message to a towering Oke-Ogun son, Kishi-born, the legendary Lade AbdulRafiu Bonuola, aka Ladbone, whose life and work have shaped Nigerian journalism.”
2. Federal Government Honours His Role in Strengthening Democracy
_”The Federal Government’s decision to confer on him a national honour is a fitting recognition for his role in shaping and deepening Nigeria’s democratic rule.”
3. Ladbone’s Career Sets the Benchmark for Courage and Integrity
_”Ladbone’s career stands as a beacon of courage, integrity, and service. He has set a standard that will guide generations of journalists who follow in his path.”
THE FULL TEXT BY ALHAJI ABDUGANYU SALAMI [GAS]
CONGRATULATIONS TO KISHI AND HER STAR SON — LADBONE
The award of one of the highest national honours by the Nigerian Government today to our own Lade AbdulRafiu Bonuola, aka Ladbone, from Kishi, is no surprise but indeed rather long overdue.
For Kishi, he is the fourth since the establishment of the award series by the Presidency since independence.
Those before him are: the late Prof. Joshua Dada Adeniyi; Madam Muniratu Ayoka, aka Baale Iyalode; and Chief Imam Soliu Kinniu-Adinni.
Ladebon is of the most respected Nigerian veteran editorial journalists cum media executives, who started at Daily Times in the ’70s as a sub-editor and rose to features editor, penning the popular column ‘Caught Out’. He taught his readers “anglaire finesse” in those days, and one’s day was not complete until one had read his column.
Bonuola was part of the pioneer team of The Guardian, serving as editor and later MD, setting new standards for Nigerian print media. He also co-founded The Comet newspaper (now Nation Newspapers) and published Nigerian Compass.
Bonuola, having received lifetime achievement awards for journalistic excellence — including the Wole Soyinka Award, the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence, Nigeria Union of Journalists Award, Guild of Editors Award, NADECO for Heros of Democracy among too many others to list here — tops this up with today’s Nigerian National Honours.
Ladbone’s current columns in The Guardian and Radiance — his online newspaper, The Ram (Abdu Rafiu) — are prolific, incisive, powerful, and widely read.
As he turns 81 in October this year, it is my privileged moment to celebrate one of the finest sons Kishi has given to the world. We are proud of him.
CONGRATULATIONS . my people.
About the Author
