By Lanre Arogundade
I met Kola Ojelabi in the newsroom of National Concord newspapers when I joined the organisation late 1991.
Unlike Ayo Aluko-Olokun (Ayula) and Tunji Bello who I had known during our University days as students’ Union activists and few others like Goke Odeyinka (Gokus Wuruwuru) who I had earlier met at NUJ meetings, I was knowing Kola for the first time at close distance.
But the fact that he soon became Koliman on my lips, just like others, showed that it didn’t take long for us to bond. It was later I discovered that himself, Ayula and myself constituted a trio of ‘Ijesha boys” in the National Concord newsroom.
That newsroom was a lively beehive of news writing activities. But, it also bubbled with jokes and exciting jibes often spearheaded by News Editor Niyi Aderemi, Deputy News Editors Akin Ogunrinde and Soni Ehi Asuelimen (now of blessed memory), Assistant Editor Kunmi Olayiwola, Deputy Business Editor Ayula, naughty Communication Senior Correspondent Goke Odeyinka, ebony Yomi Idowu, Jill, Ada, etc.
Koliman came across as an urbane, jovial, calm and collected character who was fun to be with, especially at after-newsroom evening rendezvous.
Koliman, was also one of those who had perfectly mastered National Concord’s free flowing and short-sentencing house style, such that he was one of those from whom I quietly learnt as started my career in the newspaper as a Chief Correspondent in the newsroom.
I do recall that when I rose to become the Features Editor, he contributed to the Features pages.
The friendship had a comradely dimension when Koliman teamed up with others to ensure my success when I contested for the chairmanship of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists in 1995.
By that time, the friendship had become a family and more brotherly one, and it has remained so ever since.
It is always intriguing how Koliman continually looks 10 years younger than his age and I am sure many would be surprised that the boyish looking handsome guy is celebrating is 60th birthday today. We can only thank God for this special Grace of His in Koliman’s life.
Congratulations dear Kola. Thank you Muyiwa, aya Ijesa, for the care and love.
