GOODWILL MESSAGE BY FORMER PRESIDENT, GENERAL IBRAHIM BADAMASI BABANGIDA, GCFR, AS DISTINGUISHED SPECIAL GUEST OF HONOUR, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE BOOK, “IN THE BELLY OF VULTURES”, BY ADETOLA ADENIYI, DELIVERED BY FORMER MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, MAJOR-GENERAL TAJUDEEN OLANREWAJU, AT NECA HOUSE, IKEJA, LAGOS, ON THURSDAY MARCH 1, 2018.

The Chairman,

Our Distinguished Author, Akogun Adetola Adeniyi,

Distinguished invited guests,

Members of the Press,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

His Excellency, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida congratulates Akogun Adetola Adeniyi on this occasion of the launch of his book, “In the Belly of Vultures”, a compendium of articles and comments by him in the course of his active journalism.  He is therefore highly honoured by his friend, Tola’s special invitation making him the Distinguished Special Guest of Honour.

Akogun Tola Adeniyi is quite an exceptional journalist and a well known public commentator in the media.  It is to the understanding of the General that Tola has a world class reputation, given his long time background, training, experience and exposure in the media network.   There is no doubt that the country, Nigeria, needs a journalist of his stature.

We have known a lot of great columnists across the length and breadth of this country; Tola stands to be counted amongst the best of them.  His identification with journalism at the early stage of his life formed the foundation for his fame in the later years.   It is therefore too easy to identify the creativity in Tola making him what he is today.

For the younger generation of journalists who want to stand out like him, they must have his sense of commitment and service.  In his relationship with Tola, His Excellency has long respected him as a teacher, writer and resourceful journalist from whose attributes upcoming journalists have a lot to learn in handling and reporting national issues.

This is imperative because General Babangida believes in the unity of Nigeria and that all Nigerians must not lose the ability to discuss national issues calmly and respectfully regardless of party affiliations and other differences.  We must come together as a unified entity to solve our collective problems.  Therefore, we must not allow hate speeches and fake news to destroy the fabrics of our national cohesion.

Once again, congratulations to the author while we also hope that everybody here present will contribute to the success of this book launch.

Thank you.

Major- General Tajudeen Olanrewaju (Rtd)

Former Minister of Communications