Entertainment
YEMI FAROUNBI: A COLOSSUS/IDEALIST @80
It is extremely difficult to find words suitable enough to describe this man named AKINYEMI FAROUNBI, but who always prefers to be simply called Yemi Farounbi. I came in contact with this man in 1977 through an uncle, late Babatunde Oyerinde, when he offered me a freelance job that would start me up in life. That was almost five decades ago. We thank God that this generous and amiable “youth” of that period has today joined the octogenarian club. How time flies!
I must say that applying my pen to compose a tribute to this highly celebrated man, Dr Yemi Farounbi, who is not only a boss, but a father-figure to me, is a most arduous task. How best can I, in a single write up, describe him or his numerous accomplishments and impacts on humanity?
Yemi, as he was fondly called by the Late Cicero of Esa-Oke, Uncle Bola Ige, is like a sprawling road: the more you travel on it, the more it extends. Yemi Farounbi is like the elephant explored by a blind man, with each part touched forming an impression and describing the massive beast, based on the part of it he experienced.
Yemi Farounbi in his forte – the media, either as a practitioner; administrator and/or as a teacher, is an all-rounder and a doyen in Communication Arts. A very distinctive personality with the frame and revolutionary posture of
the famous Cuban President, late Fidel Castrol. Sitting under his mentorship was like brooding under the eagle watch of *Orisa nla* . It is not an hidden fact that his revolutionary bent impacted his mentees so profoundly as to provoke the sobriquet – “Radical- in – chief” by a section of the young media entrepreneurs.
Yemi, reputed as an administrator per excellence, was conferred with the national honour of OON by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. His brilliance and outstanding performance at the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA), earned him this unique recognition. His credentials in Philippines where he served as Nigerian Ambassador also speaks volumes about his ability to maneuver unknown landscapes.
Dr. Yemi Farounbi is a man much sought after by those who love to drink from the reservoir of knowledge that God had bestowed on him.
1992, as a Regional Correspondent of the defunct Champion Newspapers for the West, I was mandated to Osogbo to cover the Social Democratic Party primaries in the newly created state Osun state that produced the late Isiaka Adeleke as the first Executive Governor.
Akinyemi Farounbi presided over the conduct of the party primaries with the full support of the National leadership of the party under Ambassador Baba Gana Kiginbe. I travelled round the 30 local governments in the state to monitor the conductt of the primaries it was an herculean task. I arrived Osogbo late in the evening and headed straight to the party Secretariat along St.Charles Grammar school road. Osogbo township road had been deserted due to tension generated by the party stalwarts in the fierce context that almost thrown the state into political tumoil. Security had been beef up by then Militay Adiministar Col. Leo Ajiborisa and mobile policemen stationed at stategic locations at the state capital. Movement were also restricted except for those on essential duty could move. Commuters and public transport sent off the road to restrict movement with those on essential duty walking long distances. I suffered the same fate. Trekking between 15 to 20 kilomtres before getting to party Secretariat where the results were being collated.
The state received many visitors and virtually all the hotels were fully booked. On my arrival at the party Secretariat another task to get round the security check is another daunting task but for the intervention of Dr. Farounbi who sighted me afar off sent words the police to allow me in that I’m on official assignment to cover the primaries. Since the was on the outskirt of the town, there was no electricity an indication that they to close early. I became apprehensive efforts to secure accommodation failed the hotels are fill to the brim He sensed there was no place to stay for the night since I came from outside the state, he allay my fears when he announced I should come with him we both slept on the same bed with a statement to tease Lanre, you would be my companion and a guard angel for the night…”, the statement was completely lost on me. Not knowing the Master strategist had been tipped off on the plans by politicians to trapped in hotel and lobbied him to play ball by switching ballots. It was an intensive one which lasted hours forth and back deal. All the talks YF as his younger Muyiwa usually reference him refused to be drawn into falsification of results in dispute.
The announcement of the results of the Osun State SDP governorship primary was an intensive one which lasted several hours. In all the talks, Yemi Farounbi, usually fondly referenced as YF by his younger brother, Muyiwa, refused to be drawn into the planned falsification of the results of the primary.
The trump card was quickly dropped to send the lobbying politicians away: Yemi Farounbi announced that he had a journalist guest inside the hotel who should not hear that he was been lobbied to tampered with the rules. This last joker sent off his guests as they all scampered away, in disappointment.
I witnessed the above live and direct; it enabled me see the other side of Yemi Farounbi. Wearing his usual grinning smile on his face, he refused to go under the pressure mounted on him. The full story is for another day.
I hereby seized the opportunity of the occasion of his birthday to call him by his first name, Yemi, the incorruptible politician.
Happy birthday, my incorruptible Oga.
Ogundipe Former President,
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)
and African Union of Journalist(AUJ)
writes from Abuja
TheGazelleNews, popular Lagos based online newspaper is set to honour the trio of Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon, Asiwaju Olorunfumi Bashorun and Chief Waliu Ojuko for their contribution to democracy and governance in Nigeria.
Solomon, Bashorun and Ojuko will be honoured with the flagship award of the online newspaper, the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Annual Public Lecture and Award of the newspaper scheduled to hold on Wednesday, 15 July, 2026.
The lecture with the theme: Driving Grassroots Governance with Public-Private Partnership: The Gains, the Pains, the Prospects will be delivered by Chief Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication
According to a statement by the Chairperson of the Organising Committee for the event, Mrs Adetutu Audu-Adebisi, the Lifetime Achievement Award is the flagship award for politicians who have distinguished themselves and contribute immensely to the democracy and governance in the country.
”Our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the maiden award in 2022 while the Chairman of the influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC), Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi won it in 2024.
”This year we are honouring three distinguished Nigerians who have played major roles in governance and sustenance of democracy in the country,” Mrs Audu-Adebisi said.
Senator Ganiyu Olanrewaju Solomon popularly called GOS by many is a deeply rooted grassroots politician.
Senator Solomon has developed a political career that has made him a man of the people.
He was former Executive Chairman of Mushin Local Government, was a member of the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007 where he represented Mushin Federal Constituency I.
Between 2007 and 2015, Senator Solomon represented Nigeria’s biggest Senatorial District, Lagos West where he rose to become the Minority Whip of the Upper Chamber.
A Rotarian, Solomon is very popular among the people particularly those at the grassroots.
Presently, he is a member of the very influential Governance Advisory Council (GAC) and is the APC Apex Leader for Mushin combining the two Federal and State Constituencies.
Elder Statesman, Asiwaju Reuben Olorunfumi Bashorun is the first Secretary to the State Government (SSG) when he served the administration of the late Lateef Kayode Jakande between 1979 and 1983.
A former banker and highly referred politician, Asiwaju Olorunfumi Bashorun was an active player in the aborted Third Republic.
A member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Bashorun was one of the leaders who contributed to the success of late MKO Abiola in the SDP presidential primary in Jos.
The Igbogbo-born politician was in the forefront of the struggle for the actualisation of the June 12 election.
Presently, he is a member of the GAC.
Chief Waliu Olajide Ojuko is a highly respected Awori politician.
Born in Ota, Ogun State, Chief Ojuko had a highly distinguished civil service life in both state and federal civil service in Lagos and Ogun states before venturing into politics.
He was a director at Gateway Hotels during the administration of late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo
He was Ogun state Secretary of the Social Democratic Party where he played key role in delivering Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola at the Jos Convention and his electoral victory alongside former Governor Olusegun Osoba.
He was Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperative & Tourism under Olusegun Osoba;
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs under Senator Ibikunle Amosun; and
Senior Special Adviser Political Affairs under Gov. Dapo Abiodun
Chief Ojuko is the
Olotu of Ota Aworiland;
Balogun Ojokoro, Lagos;
President, Iganmode Club, Ota;
Member, Abeokuta Sports Club;
Member, Lagos Island Club; and
National President, Iganmode Grammar School Old Students Association
Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has come under heavy fire after making a controversial claim about hip-hop.
The ‘Declan Rice’ crooner sparked fresh controversy after re-echoing Wizkid’s infamous claim that hip-hop music is no longer relevant.
While reacting to a list of Nigerian artists with the most monthly listeners on Spotify currently via X, Odumodublvck boldly declared, “Hip Hop is dead,” alluding to the conspicuous absence of Nigerian rappers from the list.
His post elicited mixed reactions, with many berating him for disrespecting the genre while arguing that hip-hop is still much relevant outside Nigeria.
Despite Nigeria having both veteran and thriving rappers, hip-hop artists are absent from the list of Nigerian artists with the most monthly listeners on Spotify currently, with singers occupying the entire top 10.
Burna Boy leads with 40.68 million listeners, closely followed by Tems with 40.64 million listeners.
Rema ranks number 3 with 29.43 million listeners, while Ayra Starr and Wizkid take the numbers 4 and 5 spots with 16.84 and 16.81 million listeners, respectively.
Omah Lay (11.24m), Davido (10.83m), CKay (10.71m), Fireboy DML (9.23m), and Asake (8.69m) complete the top 10.
Grammy Award-winning singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has revealed how nervous she felt while performing at the official dedication of the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago on Wednesday.
The singer shared on X that nerves got to her after she mistakenly called former U.S. President Barack Obama’s daughter by the wrong name while addressing the crowd.
“I am so blessed and honoured to be here… this one is to you, everyone, here, to Mr and Mrs Obama, to Sandra, and all the family,” Tems said before her set, wearing a red gown.
She later posted on X: “Lord knows I was nervous! Please forgive me!!!”
The ceremony took place at John Lewis Plaza on the centre’s 19-acre campus, formally unveiling the $850 million facility ahead of its public opening on June 19.
Tems joined a global lineup that included Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen, John Legend, Christina Aguilera, Common, Bono, The Edge, Marc Anthony, and The Roots.
The three-day programme opened with the June 18 dedication, followed by public access and community activities through June 21.
The Obama Presidential Centre also displays a portrait by Nigerian-born artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby, marking Nigerian representation at the site.
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