President Bola Tinubu has paid tribute to veteran journalist and former managing director of The Guardian, Oyinlade “Lade” Bonuola, on his 80th birthday, praising his contribution to professional journalism and the development of Nigeria’s media industry.
In a congratulatory message issued on Sunday, the president described Bonuola as an influential editor whose work helped establish high standards of accuracy, fairness, editorial independence and public accountability.
Tinubu recalled that Bonuola began his journalism career as a trainee sub-editor at the Daily Times in February 1971, later rising through the ranks before joining The Guardian as a pioneer editor in 1982. He subsequently served as managing director of the newspaper until 1999.
Bonuola later helped establish The Comet newspaper and also served as managing director of Nigerian Compass. His career, the president said, extended beyond newsroom leadership to the mentorship of journalists and the promotion of public-interest reporting.
Tinubu singled out Bonuola’s widely read Daily Times column, Caught Out, and said his work demonstrated the responsibility of the press to inform citizens, scrutinize public institutions and preserve an accurate record of national events.
The president argued that journalism’s enduring value lies not only in reporting developments but also in shaping informed public debate and strengthening democratic accountability.
He congratulated Bonuola on reaching the milestone and wished him continued good health and fulfillment, expressing hope that his professional example would inspire younger journalists.
The tribute also underscored the role played by generations of Nigerian editors who built enduring media institutions while navigating the country’s changing political environment.
