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Former Ogun State Governor, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Wednesday charged journalists to exhibit impactful journalism to positively change the society.
They gave the charge at the 80th birthday anniversary of renowned columnist, Professor Olatunji Dare, in Lagos.
They said that solution journalism would foster societal advancement.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the event, organised by the Nigeria Guild of Editors and The Nation newspaper, was to honour Dare, who has spent decades as a newspaper columnist and journalism teacher.
The event featured tributes to Dare by his friends and associates.
The theme of the event was: “Dare at 80: Same Craft, Changing Times, The Columnist as Societal Conscience.”
Osoba, an octogenarian, said Dare represented focus, character, ideal journalism and assertiveness in the pen profession.
He said the qualities should be emulated by journalists to make the society better.
According to him, Dare corrected social ills through his writings.
He said: “He is one columnist that people look forward to reading his perspective on burning national issues to shape their views on such.
“As a people, we need writers like Dare to continue to keep leaders accountable at all times for the society to remain functional.
“Dare is in the class of revered journalists, who, through their acts, fought for the independence of the nation.
“At 80, Dare still reads to educate readers.
“My prayer for him is for God to grant him a stable mind and body to carry on.”
Sanwo-Olu, represented by his media aide, Gbenga Akosile, described Dare as a role model and a social activist that employed his writing skill to better the society.
The governor said that Dare’s stance on national issues exemplified patriotism that could not be extinguished by any threat.
He said Dare’s correct language use endeared him to readers and even critics.
He said: “Through his style of writing, he, most times, humorously makes state actors change unpopular policies to popular ones.
“With decades of service to the society, we can only say, like an old wine that gets better by age, you will continue to impact the society positively and bear on the younger generation.”
NAN reports that the celebrator, spoke virtually from his residence in the United States of America, thanking the organisers and guests for celebrating him.
