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Family, friends mourn as Edward Akinbiyi is laid to rest

Edward Olajide Akinbiyi till his last months on Earth harboured a deep personal pride that his own life’s tapestry was closely intertwined with the origins of broadcast media in Nigeria.

Mrs. Olufemi Akinbiyi, wife of the deceased, sitting. Standing with her from left is Adeyemi Akinbiyi; Bioku Bankole; Busola Akinbiyi; Ronke Akinbiyi; Laolu Akinbiyi; Simi Bankole and Bisi Akinbiyi, children of the late Prince Edward Olajide Akinbiyi at the burial ceremony of late Prince Edward Olajide Akinbiyi held at Grailland Temple, Iju Hills, Lagos.

Edward Olajide Akinbiyi till his last months on Earth harboured a deep personal pride that his own life’s tapestry was closely intertwined with the origins of broadcast media in Nigeria. From his days as a pioneer staff of Western Nigeria Television (WNTV), the first television station in Africa established by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, first Premier of Western Nigeria, to the days he served as Governor Lateef Kayode Jakande’s Director of Publicity, he practiced his craft with a devotion that was only rivaled by his love for family.

Born on August 29th, 1933 to Chief Daniel Odetayo Akinbiyi (who later reigned as the 36th Olubadan of Ibadan) and Comfort Olajumoke Akinbiyi.

Following the Western Region’s political crisis, Akinbiyi transferred his service to the Nigerian Television Service (NTA). Uncle Jide, as he was fondly called, would go on to serve the NTA as the creator and pioneer editor of the NTA network news.

As the NTA increasingly became pro-establishment, Akinbiyi yearned for new turf that would permit him to professionally unfold without the constraints of a work environment dominated by orchestrated intrigues.

In the months leading to the 1979 general elections, Akinbiyi had indicated to then gubernatorial candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria, Lateef Jakande, that the publicity power of the Tribune was being sub optimally deployed for the UPN’s political benefit. Thus, Akinbiyi’s suggestions frequently came to be used in the LKJ campaign. Many years earlier, Olajide left an indelible impression on Jakande. Incidentally, Olajide predeceased his boss by two days.

Resolved not to use the already existing Channel 5, which was an NTA television station formed by the Federal Government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari for Lagos State, Alhaji Jakande quite early in the life of his Administration, charged Olajide with establishing a television and radio station for Lagos State. Consequently, Lagos Television, LTV8 and Radio Lagos were established under the umbrella of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation, which reported to the Director of Publicity and Information in the Governor’s Office. As the Director of Publicity, he constantly made it known to his subordinate colleagues that “I do not carry passengers”.

Assignments beyond his core remit of publicity and information were regularly handed to Olajide by Governor Jakande. The Lagos State Education Endowment Fund and State Tenders Board were some of non-core assignments he undertook for the Jakande Administration. In recognition and reward of his sterling service to Lagos State, Olajide Akinbiyi was elevated to the rank of Permanent Secretary in December 1984 by Governor Jakande.

Following the coup of 1984 which terminated second republic, Group Captain GbolahanMudashiru, the then newly appointed military Governor of Lagos State, redeployed Olajide from the Governor’s Office to the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation as General Manager.

Olajide Akinbiyi practiced journalism with a clergy-like sobriety, he was sure of his facts, meticulously putting them forward without being garrulous. His contributions provided much illumination wherever doubts arose in history and context. Quiet, unassuming, unobtrusive, constantly demanding the highest achievable output, Olajide has silently but ineffaceably left imprints in the annals of the broadcast industry.

After 27 years of unblemished service, Olajide called time on his career in the public service and joined  the employ of the Yinka Folawiyo Group as group general manager for information and public affairs. He would be with the Yinka Folawiyo Group for 9 years after which he would go on to form and run Lapite Nigeria Ltd in conjunction with his late younger brother – Prince Abiodun Akinbiyi.Now completely free from the limitations of employment, Olajide, an ardent devotee of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s politics and philosophy, dedicated himself unreservedly to Afenifere’s cause from the years 1996 till the moment he breathed his last.

Although he was in retirement and engaged in private business, he was consumed by the desire to see an end to the distortion of the Nigerian state that was occasioned by years of military misrule, so he became actively involved in the NADECOstruggle to put an end to military rule and restore democracy in the country. As chieftain of the Afenifere Lagos chapter, he was a founding father of the Alliance for Democracy in Lagos State. He deployed his journalistic endowments as publicity secretary of the party in the mobilization of support for the Alliance for Democracy at the 1999 general elections, thus playing a frontal role in the emergence of Senator Bola Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State.

Olajide Akinbiyi leaves behind Olufemi Akinbiyi, his wife of 55 years, children and grandchildren, siblings, the larger Akinbiyi clan and friends. He will be greatly missed. Our loving thoughts accompany him. 

Edward Olajide Akinbiyi till his last months on Earth harboured a deep personal pride that his own life’s tapestry was closely intertwined with the origins of broadcast media in Nigeria. From his days as a pioneer staff ofWestern Nigeria Television (WNTV) – the first television station in Africa established by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, first Premier of Western Nigeria – to the days he served as Governor Lateef Kayode Jakande’s Director of Publicity, he practiced his craft with a devotion that was only rivalled by his love for family. Born on 29th August, 1933 to Chief Daniel Odetayo Akinbiyi (who later reigned as the 36th Olubadan of Ibadan) and Comfort Olajumoke Akinbiyi.

Following the Western Region’s political crisis, which percolated into the WNTV work environment, Akinbiyi transferred his service to the Nigerian Television Service,(NTA of today), a Federal Government owned television station located in Victoria Island, Lagos. In May 1977 through Decree 24 of 1977, which was made to take retroactive effect on April, 1976, WNTV and all other regional television stations were expropriated by the Olusegun Obasanjo-led Federal Military Government and brought under the umbrella of the National Television Authority.

This act of expropriation deeply rankled Akinbiyi as a gross affront to regionalism, a critical pillar of the 1963 Nigerian Constitution. His ideological opposition notwithstanding, Uncle Jide, as he was fondly and jocularly called by subordinates and peers like Victor Folivi, IkennaNdaguba and SakaFagbo (all deceased), would go on to serve the NTA as the creatorand pioneer editorof the NTA network news. As the NTA increasingly became pro establishment and its’ news reportage more in nature withofficial apologia, Akinbiyi yearned for new turf that would permit him to professionally unfold without the constraints of a work environment dominated by deliberately orchestrated intrigues. This wish, in time came to fulfilment.

In the several months leading to the 1979 general elections, Akinbiyi had indicated to then gubernatorial candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria, LateefJakande, that the publicity power of the Tribune was being sub optimally deployed for the UPN’s political benefit.Thus, Akinbiyi’s suggestions frequently came to be used in the LKJ campaign. Many years earlier, Olajide left an indelible impression on Jakande.

He had gone to Ibadan to interview Jakande, who kept him waiting for five hours while he washard at work composing some write up! The interview then commenced at one in the morning. It appears that this was the moment that the two became cemented by an unrelenting work ethic. Incidentally, Olajide predeceased his boss by two days.

Resolved not to use the already existing Channel 5, which was an NTA television station formed by the Federal Government of AlhajiShehuShagarifor Lagos State, AlhajiJakande quite early in the life of his Administration, charged Olajide with establishing a television and radio station for Lagos State. Consequently, Lagos Television, LTV8 and Radio Lagos were established under the umbrella of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation which reported to the Director of Publicity and Information in the Governor’s Office. As the Director of Publicity he constantly made it known to his subordinate colleagues that “I do not carry passengers”. Assignments beyond his core remit of publicity and information were regularly handed to Olajide by Governor Jakande. The Lagos State Education Endowment Fund and State Tenders Board were some of non-core assignments he undertook for the Jakande Administration. In recognition and reward of his sterling service to Lagos State, Olajide Akinbiyi was elevated to the rank of Permanent Secretary in December 1984 by Governor Jakande. Following the coup of 1984 which terminated second republic, Group Captain GbolahanMudashiru, the then newly appointed military Governor of Lagos State, redeployed Olajide from the Governor’s Office to the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation as General Manager.

Olajide Akinbiyi practiced journalism with a clergy-like sobriety, he was sure of his facts, meticulously putting them forward without being garrulous. His contributions provided much illumination wherever doubts arose in history and context. Quiet, unassuming, unobtrusive, constantly demanding the highest achievable output, Olajide has silently but ineffaceably left imprints in the annals of the broadcast industry.

After 27 years of unblemished service, Olajide called time on his career in the public service and joined  the employ of the Yinka Folawiyo Group as group general manager for information and public affairs. He would be with the Yinka Folawiyo Group for 9 years after which he would go on to form and run Lapite Nigeria Ltd in conjunction with his late younger brother – Prince Abiodun Akinbiyi.Now completely free from the limitations of employment, Olajide, an ardent devotee of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s politics and philosophy, dedicated himself unreservedly to Afenifere’s cause from the years 1996 till the moment he breathed his last.

Although he was in retirement and engaged in private business, he was consumed by the desire to see an end to the distortion of the Nigerian state that was occasioned by years of military misrule, so he became actively involved in the NADECOstruggle to put an end to military rule and restore democracy in the country. As chieftain of the Afenifere Lagos chapter, he was a founding father of the Alliance for Democracy in Lagos State. He deployed his journalistic endowments as publicity secretary of the party in the mobilization of support for the Alliance for Democracy at the 1999 general elections, thus playing a frontal role in the emergence of Senator Bola Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State.

Olajide Akinbiyi leaves behind Olufemi Akinbiyi, his wife Edward Olajide Akinbiyi till his last months on Earth harboured a deep personal pride that his own life’s tapestry was closely intertwined with the origins of broadcast media in Nigeria. From his days as a pioneer staff ofWestern Nigeria Television (WNTV) – the first television station in Africa established by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, first Premier of Western Nigeria – to the days he served as Governor Lateef Kayode Jakande’s Director of Publicity, he practiced his craft with a devotion that was only rivalled by his love for family. Born on 29th August, 1933 to Chief Daniel Odetayo Akinbiyi (who later reigned as the 36th Olubadan of Ibadan) and Comfort Olajumoke Akinbiyi.

Following the Western Region’s political crisis, which percolated into the WNTV work environment, Akinbiyi transferred his service to the Nigerian Television Service,(NTA of today), a Federal Government owned television station located in Victoria Island, Lagos. In May 1977 through Decree 24 of 1977, which was made to take retroactive effect on April, 1976, WNTV and all other regional television stations were expropriated by the Olusegun Obasanjo-led Federal Military Government and brought under the umbrella of the National Television Authority. This act of expropriation deeply rankled Akinbiyi as a gross affront to regionalism, a critical pillar of the 1963 Nigerian Constitution. His ideological opposition notwithstanding, Uncle Jide, as he was fondly and jocularly called by subordinates and peers like Victor Folivi, IkennaNdaguba and SakaFagbo (all deceased), would go on to serve the NTA as the creatorand pioneer editorof the NTA network news. As the NTA increasingly became pro establishment and its’ news reportage more in nature withofficial apologia, Akinbiyi yearned for new turf that would permit him to professionally unfold without the constraints of a work environment dominated by deliberately orchestrated intrigues. This wish, in time came to fulfilment.

In the several months leading to the 1979 general elections, Akinbiyi had indicated to then gubernatorial candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria, LateefJakande, that the publicity power of the Tribune was being sub optimally deployed for the UPN’s political benefit.Thus, Akinbiyi’s suggestions frequently came to be used in the LKJ campaign. Many years earlier, Olajide left an indelible impression on Jakande. He had gone to Ibadan to interview Jakande, who kept him waiting for five hours while he washard at work composing some write up! The interview then commenced at one in the morning. It appears that this was the moment that the two became cemented by an unrelenting work ethic. Incidentally, Olajide predeceased his boss by two days.

Resolved not to use the already existing Channel 5, which was an NTA television station formed by the Federal Government of AlhajiShehuShagarifor Lagos State, AlhajiJakande quite early in the life of his Administration, charged Olajide with establishing a television and radio station for Lagos State. Consequently, Lagos Television, LTV8 and Radio Lagos were established under the umbrella of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation which reported to the Director of Publicity and Information in the Governor’s Office. As the Director of Publicity he constantly made it known to his subordinate colleagues that “I do not carry passengers”. Assignments beyond his core remit of publicity and information were regularly handed to Olajide by Governor Jakande. The Lagos State Education Endowment Fund and State Tenders Board were some of non-core assignments he undertook for the Jakande Administration. In recognition and reward of his sterling service to Lagos State, Olajide Akinbiyi was elevated to the rank of Permanent Secretary in December 1984 by Governor Jakande. Following the coup of 1984 which terminated second republic, Group Captain GbolahanMudashiru, the then newly appointed military Governor of Lagos State, redeployed Olajide from the Governor’s Office to the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation as General Manager.

Olajide Akinbiyi practiced journalism with a clergy-like sobriety, he was sure of his facts, meticulously putting them forward without being garrulous. His contributions provided much illumination wherever doubts arose in history and context. Quiet, unassuming, unobtrusive, constantly demanding the highest achievable output, Olajide has silently but ineffaceably left imprints in the annals of the broadcast industry.

After 27 years of unblemished service, Olajide called time on his career in the public service and joined the employ of the Yinka Folawiyo Group as group general manager for information and public affairs. He would be with the Yinka Folawiyo Group for 9 years after which he would go on to form and run Lapite Nigeria Ltd in conjunction with his late younger brother – Prince Abiodun Akinbiyi.Now completely free from the limitations of employment, Olajide, an ardent devotee of Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s politics and philosophy, dedicated himself unreservedly to Afenifere’s cause from the years 1996 till the moment he breathed his last.

Although he was in retirement and engaged in private business, he was consumed by the desire to see an end to the distortion of the Nigerian state that was occasioned by years of military misrule, so he became actively involved in the NADECOstruggle to put an end to military rule and restore democracy in the country. As chieftain of the Afenifere Lagos chapter, he was a founding father of the Alliance for Democracy in Lagos State. He deployed his journalistic endowments as publicity secretary of the party in the mobilization of support for the Alliance for Democracy at the 1999 general elections, thus playing a frontal role in the emergence of Senator Bola Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State.

Olajide Akinbiyi leaves behind Olufemi Akinbiyi, his wife of 55 years, children and grandchildren, siblings, the larger Akinbiyi clan and friends. He will be greatly missed. Our loving thoughts accompany him. 

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