By Omolade Adegbuyi
The Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Osun State chapter has been commended for bestowing the deserved award of “The Man with the Golden Pen” on versatile human right activist, Remi Oyeyemi.
In a statement on Monday, the Oodua Nationalist Coalition, [ONAC] a league of 25 Pan Yoruba groups said the award given to Oyeyemi is long overdue.
A statement by the coalition’s Secretary General Hamzat Okunola described Oyeyemi as one of the most outstanding media practitioners who for over three decades dedicated his life to the campaign for justice, equity and human freedom.
“Oyeyemi is the storming petrel of Nigerian progressive media. He committed his pen to the fight against tyranny. Under the military, Oyeyemi stood up as a rare lion. The echoes of his struggle and dedication to democracy during the darkest era of Nigerian history were heard across generations.”
ONAC described him as a selfless progressive who dedicate his entire life to the fight for an egalitarian society.
“We have no doubt that Oyeyemi’s works in the media since the late 1980s tortured tyrants and gave sleepless nights to oppressors. His legacy in the campaign against corruption, nepotism and favouritism in Nigeria stand him out as a man of integrity, a statesman in the field of media practice.”
The group said Oyeyemi is unque in the sense that he does not seek favour for his humanitarian work and has built a reputation in the media that only a very few can surpass.
The group described Oyeyemi as a rare gift to Africa and the Yoruba Nation.
“The award by NUJ is a right step in the right direction. It’s a confirmation that those who fight evil without immediate recognition should give up. At the fullest of time, history will honour them.”
The group urged Oyeyemi to publish the vast collections of his prose and style to inspire younger people, especially those who are interested in using the media as a medium for sustainable development and revolutionary changes across the world.
