A brother in purpose, Tinubu pays tribute to Aremo Osoba at 87

President Bola Tinubu has extended his warmest felicitation to veteran journalist, elder statesman and former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, on his 87th birthday.

Aremo Osoba, a prominent progressive politician who served twice as governor of Ogun State first from 1992 to 1993 during the aborted Third Republic and then from 1999 to 2003, clocked 87 on July 15, 2026.

The journalist-turned politician is a longtime friend and political ally of President Bola Tinubu.

Paying his tribute in a personally signed statement, President Tinubu praised the elder statesman as a “brother in purpose,” commending his consistency, character, and lifelong dedication to Nigeria’s democracy.

According to the President, they have known each other for so many years that they “could easily write a book about one another”.

Tinubu stated that despite entering public life through different doorways, they found themselves in the same house: the belief that Nigeria could be governed with competence and an unyielding respect for institutions.

The President recalled their challenging political campaigns, late-night strategy sessions over hot pepper soup, and early mornings spent speaking the truth to the press.

Tinubu praised Chief Osoba as a man whose first instinct has always been to serve, looking past his many titles, pen, and political career.

He thanked Chief Osoba for his years of wise counsel, warm laughter, and the reminder that “leadership without character is worthless”.

Tinubu wrote: “I have known Aremo Chief Olusegun Osoba for so many years that we could easily write a book about one another.

“His hearty laughter when sharing a joke, his stern expression when focused, and his depth in moments of decision are all familiar to me.

“Behind the titles, the pen, and the politics, stands a man whose first instinct is always to serve.

“We entered public life from different doorways, but we found ourselves in the same house: the house of an idea – that Nigeria could be governed with competence, respect for institutions, and an unyielding belief that our people deserve better.

“That idea carried us through challenging campaigns, late-night strategy sessions over hot pepper soup and spirited debates, and early mornings when we faced the press determined to speak the truth even when it was inconvenient.

“Our shared ideals have never been complicated, though living them has not always been easy.

“We believe in federalism that works, a press that is free but responsible and leaders who remain accessible, not because of photo opportunities, but because they remember what it was like before the convoys.

“Chief Osoba embodies those ideals first as a journalist, then as a politician and leader. I watched how he treated young reporters — never with condescension, always with a correction and a story to go with it.

“He would take a bad headline, mark it in red, and then ask, “But what is the human angle here? Who is affected?”

“In strategy rooms where everyone was cracking their brains about votes and victory, Chief Osoba would remind them about the newspaper vendor at CMS or the classroom teacher in Ijebu-Ode.

“Our journey together has weathered its storms. There were times when the path was unclear, and the cost of staying the course felt high.

“On those days, Chief Osoba’s calm demeanour was an anchor. He has a gift for sharing historical anecdotes about the great Chief Awolowo, the old Western Region, and a mistake made and learned from.

“Those anecdotes turn panic into perspective. He reminds you that we are part of a longer story and that we do not have to get everything right today, but we must not get the important things wrong.

“What I admire most in Aremo is his consistency. In public and in private, he is the same man. He will call to ask about your family before discussing your schedule.

“He will send a handwritten note, not out of necessity but because courtesy matters.

“He will firmly disagree with you, then walk with you to your car, because the argument is about the work and its outcome, not about the person.

𝕤𝕖𝕖 𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖/𝕨𝕒𝕥𝕔𝕙 𝕥𝕙𝕖 𝕧𝕚𝕕𝕖𝕠 𝕙𝕖𝕣𝕖