The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and prominent journalists have honoured veteran journalist and editor Mr. Lade Bonuola on his 80th birthday with the launch of a book documenting his life career and contributions to Nigerian journalism.
The book Lade Bonuola: A Life in Print was unveiled yesterday in Lagos during a commemorative event organised by the CJID in collaboration with the Bonuola family.
The event also marked the launch of the CJID’s Living Archives Initiative designed to document and preserve the history experiences and contributions of journalists and other significant personalities in Africa.
The organisation’s Chief Executive Officer Dapo Olorunyomi described Bonuola as one of the most consequential editors in the history of Nigerian print journalism.
He said the book contains about 750 pages and brings together contributions from more than 60 writers including colleagues mentees family members academics and public figures who reflected on Bonuola’s professional achievements and personal life.
Olorunyomi said the publication examines six aspects of Bonuola’s life including his editorial excellence mentorship courage professional achievements and relationships with family friends and colleagues.
He explained that the Living Archives Initiative was established to preserve the works and experiences of people whose contributions have shaped journalism and public life in Africa.
According to him the CJID began considering broader interventions in journalism in 2014 recognising the need to strengthen innovation in news production content distribution and the financing of journalism in the digital age.
He said the organisation formerly known as the Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism adopted the CJID name in 2020 to reflect the growing importance of technology in the future of the media.
Olorunyomi said Bonuola was selected as the starting point for the initiative because he remained an active veteran whose career offered important lessons for younger journalists.
The celebrant Mr. Lade Bonuola expressed surprise at the project saying he only learnt about the book two weeks before the event.
The former editor paid tribute to his former mentors and colleagues particularly those who guided his entry into journalism and helped shape his professional career.
He recalled that his journey into journalism began in 1969 when he was encouraged to consider the profession and subsequently underwent recruitment tests at the Daily Times.
Bonuola said his career was shaped by the guidance and support he received from senior journalists adding that mentorship played a significant role in his development.
The veteran journalist also recalled his years at the Daily Times and The Guardian where he worked in various editorial positions and contributed to the development of Nigerian journalism.
Former Ogun State governor and chairman of the occasion Olusegun Osoba described the Daily Times as a major training ground for journalists who later played leading roles in news organisations across the country.
Osoba said the Daily Times supplied experienced journalists to several media organisations contributing significantly to the growth of the Nigerian press.
The former Managing Director of Daily Times expressed concern that the newspaper had not maintained its former prominence urging continued investment in journalism and the development of younger professionals.
The Consul-General of the Netherlands in Lagos Franklin Keurhorst said Bonuola’s career demonstrated the importance of professional integrity editorial independence and accountability in journalism.
He said a free and independent press was essential to democracy and commended the CJID for establishing an initiative that would preserve the history of Nigerian journalism.
The envoy announced that the Netherlands supported the CJID’s Civic Space Guard project between 2023 and 2025 with the programme providing media and information literacy training to nearly 1000 students and more than 100 teachers across Nigeria.
He said preserving the experiences of journalists would help future generations understand the role of the press in democratic transitions and periods of political change.
Also media entrepreneur and Chief Executive Officer of RadioNow Kadaria Ahmed urged media organisations to adapt to changes in technology and audience behaviour to remain relevant.
She said digital platforms had transformed the distribution of news warning that traditional media organisations risked losing audiences if they failed to understand the needs and habits of younger generations.
Ahmed stressed that journalism must retain its ethical foundations including truth accountability and public service regardless of the platforms used to deliver news.
She also called for media organisations to develop diverse revenue streams to protect their financial independence and sustain credible journalism.
President of Museum and Monument Limited Ifeanyi Mbaanefo said younger Nigerians had the potential to reshape the media landscape given their familiarity with digital technology and the country’s large youth population.
He urged established media professionals to create space for younger journalists to develop new approaches to storytelling while maintaining accuracy ethics and public trust.
CJID’s Programme Officer Chiamaka Ozurumba said the organisation had deliberately recruited young professionals to ensure they participated in shaping the future of journalism.
She said media organisations needed to make their stories more accessible and relevant to younger audiences without compromising journalistic standards.
Reviewing the book the Executive Editor of PM News who also reviewed the publication at the event described it as a collection of essays that documented Bonuola’s professional journey mentorship and influence on Nigerian journalism.
The reviewer said the publication traced Bonuola’s early life in Kishi his education entry into journalism and rise through the ranks at the Daily Times before his long career at The Guardian.
The book also documents his work as an editor his commitment to professional discipline and his relationships with colleagues and younger journalists.
Bonuola’s career included several editorial roles at the Daily Times before he moved to The Guardian where he served in senior editorial and management positions for more than two decades.
The reviewer said the book offered insights into the development of Nigerian journalism and the challenges faced by journalists and media organisations during periods of political repression.
The publication the reviewer added would serve as a reference for researchers students and journalists interested in the history and evolution of the Nigerian press.