President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to veteran Nigerian journalist Lade Bonuola, who marked his eightieth birthday final week.
In an announcement he personally signed, the Nigerian chief stated Mr Bonuola “reminds us of your enduring contributions to journalism, your professional excellence, and your commitment to developing Nigeria’s media industry.”
PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Bonuola was honoured final week by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), which launched “Lade Bonuola: A Life in Print,” a set of essays documenting the veteran journalist’s profession and contributions to Nigerian journalism.
In his tribute, President Tinubu additionally celebrated Mr Bonuola’s contribution to journalism.
“At 80, you stand tall as one of Nigeria’s most respected figures in journalism, a man whose professional excellence, editorial courage, integrity, and commitment to the truth have left an enduring imprint on the nation’s media landscape,” the president wrote.
Read the president’s full assertion under.
PRESIDENT TINUBU’S TRIBUTE TO LADE BONUOLA AT 80
I prolong my warmest congratulations to Mr Oyinlade “Ladbone” Bonuola, veteran journalist, distinguished editor, and former Managing Director of The Guardian Newspaper, on his eightieth birthday.
This milestone birthday reminds us of your enduring contributions to journalism, your skilled excellence, and your dedication to growing Nigeria’s media trade.
Recognised by media friends and mentees as a craftsman par excellence, Bonuola started his profession at the Daily Times in February 1971 as a trainee sub-editor, rose via the ranks, and joined The Guardian in 1982 as pioneer editor, later serving as Managing Director until 1999. He later co-founded the defunct (*80*) newspaper, the place he served as Managing Director. He additionally served as Managing Director of Nigerian Compass.
At 80, you stand tall as one among Nigeria’s most revered figures in journalism, a person whose skilled excellence, editorial braveness, integrity, and dedication to the reality have left an everlasting imprint on the nation’s media panorama.
As one of many twentieth century’s distinctive editors, your contributions to Nigerian journalism stay indelible. Through a long time of devoted service, you helped form the language of media reporting, uphold accountable journalism, and strengthen the media’s function as a significant pillar of democracy and a keeper of factual information. Your dedication to accuracy, equity, integrity, and public accountability is a worth that continues to be integral to the media’s accountability to inform residents, maintain public establishments accountable, and strengthen democracy.
At the Daily Times, your weekly column, Caught Out, was a must-read for practising journalists, college students and the general public at massive.
As former Managing Director of The Guardian and co-founder of The (*80*), which later grew to become The Nation newspaper, you demonstrated distinctive management, mental depth, and a eager understanding of the press’s energy to construct a simply, knowledgeable, and progressive society.
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Your profession displays a profound perception that journalism should serve the general public curiosity, maintain leaders accountable, and provides residents the data they want to make knowledgeable selections. Your affect extends past the newsrooms you led.
As we have fun this exceptional milestone with you, I acknowledge your legacy of professionalism, mentorship and repair to our nation. We have fun your invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s democratic journey.
Your life and profession remind us that journalism’s enduring worth lies not merely in reporting occasions however in shaping concepts, nurturing knowledgeable residents, and preserving the reality for future generations.
On behalf of my household, the Government, and the individuals of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I want you a contented eightieth birthday and plenty of extra years of fine well being, peace, fulfilment, and continued service to our pricey nation.
May your exceptional legacy proceed to encourage generations of journalists and media practitioners.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR
President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
Federal Republic of Nigeria
October 25, 2026
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