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When the name, Dare Babarinsa is mentioned in journalism parlance, you will talk of simplicity, humility, doggedness and bravery.
Babarinsa is a man with a ‘Lion heart’ who among others fought the military to a standstill in the 90’s when the beneficiaries of today’s democracy were wining and dining with them.
In a Press Statement signed by the Editor-in-Chief of the SOJ WORLDWIDE ONLINE NEWS, Adesoji Omosebi, he described Babarinsa as one of the foremost mentors who actually trained him in the art of writing news in the early 90’s at the Christ Message Ministry (CMM) monthly magazine, Okota, Isolo Local Government Area, Lagos.
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He was among the Senior journalists with the Tell Magazine who were declared wanted by the Abacha junta. Despite the proscription of the magazine, he always attend Church services and Tell Magazines were still being sold in the streets through ‘hide and seek’ game with the military.
That was the type of struggles this amiable man and others like Nosa Igiebor, Bayo Onanuga who was the Editor-in-Chief of The News magazine, Dapo Olorunyomi, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Bagauda Kaltho and several others suffered in the hands of the military before the emergence of democracy in 1999.
Omosebi said,
“I can never forget the positive impact of Dare Babarinsa in my life especially in the field of journalism. I first read about Babarinsa during the violence that broke out in Ondo State when the electoral umpire, FEDECO announced Akin Omoboriowo as the winner of the Ondo State Governorship election instead of Pa Adekunle Ajasin of blessed memory.” The news was reported on August 11, 1983 on the National Concord by Dare Babarinsa. I can still remember vividly. The Publisher of the National Concord at the time was Chief MKO Abiola.
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He was one of the pioneer staff of the popular Newswatch magazine where we have other leading veteran journalists like, late Dele Giwa, Yakubu Mohammed, Dan Agbese, Ray Ekpu. He left Newswatch to co-found Tell Magazine where he became the Executive Editor.
Babarinsa is presently the Publisher of Gaskia Media Limited with many publications to its credit.
Destiny joined us together at the Christ Message Ministry in the early 90’s, since then we have never seize to be in touch. He is one my benefactors who has never forgotten his mentee till date.
I seize this opportunity to wish “my Oga at the top” glorious and happiest birthday, long life and prosperity with sound health and abundance of blessings, peace, joy, happiness and comfort.
It shall continue to be well with you and your households. “Igba odun, odun kan ni.”
HAPPY BIRTHDAY.”
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