In a powerful gathering of media icons, the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) and veteran newsmen have called for a shift back to empathy-driven reporting to save the soul of Nigerian journalism.
The call was made during a colloquium and book launch held on Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, to celebrate the 70th birthday of Shola Oshunkeye, the renowned President/CEO of The Crest Online.
Led by Motunrayo Alaka, Executive Director of WSCIJ, the event served as a reaffirmation of the mission to advance truth and accountability rooted in lived human experiences.
A Legacy of Impact and Integrity
The event, which featured the unveiling of Oshunkeye’s book, Byline & Backbone: A Lifetime of Big and Impactful Stories, drew heavyweights such as former Ogun State Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, Ovation Media Group Chairman Chief Dele Momodu, and Sun Newspapers Executive Vice Chairman Femi Adesina.
Setting the tone, Femi Adesina described the celebrant as Baba Elabe, a resourceful journalist whose career has been defined by people-oriented storytelling. Reflecting on the celebrant’s enduring influence, Adesina noted:
“The breadth of personalities gathered in his honour is itself a testament to the impact of his career.”
Chief Olusegun Osoba echoed this sentiment, praising the growing culture of celebrating journalism icons while they are still active. He noted that Oshunkeye remains a figure whose contributions command deep respect across generations.
The Crisis of Mechanical Journalism
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Dele Momodu warned that the modern media landscape is losing its soul to speed and virality.
He lamented the decline of depth and context in contemporary reporting, stating:
“Human interest journalism is not a distraction from serious journalism; in many ways, it is its foundation. Without that human dimension, journalism risks becoming mechanical and distant.”
During a panel session moderated by Funke Egbemode, former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, speakers debated the theme “The Decline of Human-Interest Journalism in Nigeria.” While many noted that 70 per cent of newsroom content now skews toward hard politics, media trainer Mayor Akinpelu argued that these stories haven’t vanished but have migrated to digital spaces, posing new challenges for sustainability and quality.
Byline & Backbone: A Blueprint for the Future
The celebrated book, reviewed by Lasisi Olagunju, Editor of Saturday Tribune, was described as a layered narrative capturing the discipline and curiosity required to shape national discourse. The work features a foreword by legends including Nosa Igiebor, Mike Awoyinfa, and Dare Babarinsa.
Olagunju noted that the collection serves as a reflection of socio-political history through the lens of those who lived it.
A Word to the Next Generation
Closing the event, a visibly moved Shola Oshunkeye offered a sobering reality check to younger reporters entering an industry often obsessed with quick gains. His advice focused on character and legacy over financial motivation.
“You have to have patience, you have to have perseverance, you have to endure. If your ambition is to make money, then please… in journalism, the only thing you will make is your name.”
For the WSCIJ, the celebration was a strategic alignment with a tradition of integrity and humanity, insisting on depth in an era that increasingly rewards the superficial.
