By Ajibola Olaide, JKNewsMedia Reporter
FEW JOURNALISTS have left as indelible a mark on Nigerian media as Chief Dare Babarinsa. F
or more than four decades, his pen has chronicled power, challenged tyranny and carved a dignified path through Nigeria’s turbulent press history.
Born in Okemesi, Ekiti State on 9 May 1955, Babarinsa’s journalism journey began in earnest after earning a Second-Class Upper degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos in 1981.
He cut his teeth at the now-defunct Drum magazine before joining the Concord Group, where he served as National Assembly Correspondent and later Chief Correspondent for Ondo State.
By the early 1980s, his fearless reportage and analytical writing had positioned him among the nation’s most respected journalists.
His career reached a new dimension in 1984 as a founding member of Newswatch, from where he rose to Associate Editor.
In 1991, alongside other media stalwarts—Nosa Igiebor, Dele Omotunde, Onome Osifo-Whiskey and Kolawole Ilori—he co-founded TELL, a publication that became a mouthpiece for resistance during Nigeria’s most repressive military regimes.
As Executive Director of TELL for 15 years, Babarinsa wielded his weekly column like a scalpel, dissecting abuse of power and exposing institutional rot.
His work earned him national acclaim, including the prestigious 1986 Journalist of the Year Award, presented before such dignitaries as Chief Ernest Shonekan and the late Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
International recognition followed.
In 1985, he was invited by President Felix Houphouët-Boigny to Ivory Coast’s ruling party convention.
Three years later, the then United States (US) government invited him to the Republican Party Convention in New Orleans, where George Bush Snr. emerged presidential nominee.
His global relevance continued in 1997 as guest lecturer at Africa Hall, Ethiopia, during the 50th anniversary of the Ethiopian Journalists Association.
After retiring from TELL at 50 in 2005, Babarinsa remained as engaged as ever.
He became Editor-in-Chief of The Westerner, contributed weekly columns to The Guardian as one of its Grandmasters, and led editorial initiatives at Gaskia Media Limited, where his team continues to publish authoritative biographies and historical narratives.
Among his literary contributions is House of War, a deep exploration of Nigeria’s Second Republic, and Eat Now, Pay Later, a compendium of his public essays.
He also edited The Nigerian Century, the official centennial publication commissioned by the Federal Government in 2014.
Outside the newsroom, Babarinsa’s activism runs deep.
He co-founded Idile Oodua, a Yoruba resistance group formed to push for the validation of Chief Moshood Abiola’s 1993 presidential victory.
Later, he became Chairman of the Alajobi Committee, the intellectual wing of Afenifere, the Yoruba sociopolitical movement.
His reach extends into religious, professional, and social spheres.
As Otun Ijo of St. John Anglican Church, Okemesi, President of the Band of Light Society, Patron of the Apostles of Peace Society International, and National Treasurer of Afenifere, he exemplifies civic responsibility.
He is also a member of the Association of World Editors and a recipient of the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ (NUJ) 2024 Icon of the Press Award.
Still making impact at 70, the husband to Modupe Ihinosen and father of four remains actively engaged in public discourse, offering seasoned commentary and insight from a career defined by bold integrity and tireless pursuit of truth.
His legacy, inked in courage and conviction, continues to inspire the next generation of African journalists.
Meanwhile, dignitaries, royal fathers, and leading voices from across Nigeria converged on Okemesi-Ekiti to celebrate the 70th birthday of veteran journalist and Chairman of Gaskia Media Group, Mr Dare Babarinsa.
The milestone event drew eminent figures including Chief Bisi Akande, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, Segun Oni, and Niyi Adebayo.
Also in attendance were Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Oba Adedokun Abolarin of Oke-Ila, Oba Sunday Aikuirawo Aniyi of Erinmope-Ekiti, and Dr Tunji Olugbodi, Group Chief Executive of Verdant Zeal, reflecting the deep admiration for Babarinsa’s towering legacy in Nigerian journalism.
