Media professionals and communication experts converged to celebrate the 60th birthday of Lekan Otufodunrin, a media expert and notable Mentor in Journalism.
The event tagged Otufodunrin at 60: Mentees/Proteges hangout session took place on May 11, 2024 at the International Press Centre (IPC), Dideolu Estate, Ogba, Lagos.
Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin is a media expert known for his exemplary leadership and professionalism. Graduating with a degree in Mass Communication from the esteemed University of Lagos in 1985, his journey has been marked by numerous achievements.
He is the Executive Director of Media Career Development Network (MCDN), Lagos, Nigeria, and President of Journalists for Christ International Outreach (JFC Nigeria), a body of Christian journalists and allied professions which he founded in 1999.
The celebration featured series of activities, including testimonials, experience sharing, cutting of cake, game activities and warm receptions.
In heartfelt tributes from colleagues and mentees, Mr. Otufodunrin was praised for his humility, selflessness, consistency, and unwavering support.
Mr. Otufodunrin, accompanied by his beloved wife, Mrs. Ronke Otufodunrin received accolades from his mentees, colleagues, and associates.
Mentees and associates who spoke at the event testified how he has championed the growth and development of young talents and media professionals in the industry.
One of Mr. Otufodunrin’s mentees, Adediwura Aderibigbe, recounted his first encounter with the media icon and how he has impacted his life and career.
Adeibigbe said “since we crossed paths in 2006/2007 for an internship opportunity at the Nation, my life has changed for the better. With both arms, Uncle Lekan welcomed me and offered me an opportunity to excel. I recall how I tried to impress him when he asked me to write a brief for publication- that was my first day there, I was trying to impress him and I wrote rubbish but he never made me feel like I was writing rubbish.
“It was only editor that will send you to cover an event and will still take care of how you got to the event and returned. Any honorarium you get from that event is still yours.
“There was a time I couldn’t pay my school fees, he promised to settled it but something happened a day before he was supposed to settle the bill. Hard thieves waylaid him at gun point, forcing him to drive just a few blocks from his house to the outskirt of Lagos down to Ogun State. He was stripped of his belongings and his car was stolen. Guess what? In all of this, this man did not allow me to drop out of school.
“He sourced for the money and paid.
Filled with tears of appreciation, he continued, “Thank you Mr. Lekan. Thank you for helping me navigate through the murky waters.
“Thank you for holding me by the hand showing me the way to go. You cracked God’s purpose for your life and pursued it with all your strength. Today, we are all happy that you are healthy and hearty.
Expressing appreciation for the overwhelming show of love by the group, Otufodunrin attributed his achievements to divine grace and also thanked his wife and children for their support throughout his journey.
Otufodunrin said; “I want to return all the glory to God. I always tell people that I always dread May 9 because I always read many things that I don’t know to explain but I thank God for his grace and I thank God for how far he has helped me.
“When I hear about the things that people say God has enabled me to do, I know that it’s not me.
“Even as I was seated here listening, I was saying to myself, did I do these things consciously? I didn’t, and that’s the truth. God was just there helping me to do some of these things and I thank God today that I can look back and I am happy to see all of you and hear all the testimonies.
“I want to thank my wife especially. She’s been there. God has used her and my children to be there for me.
“All these things we are talking about is God. There are times when your body is weary but God always says just do your own, and when I look back today I thank God for how God has helped all of us,” he added.
The Lekan Otufodunrin Mentees Network also honored Mrs. Ronke Otufodunrin with a certificate of appreciation for her support to Mr Lekan Otufodunrin’s impactful contributions to the field of journalism.
The event was organized/coordinated by Sanmi Falobi, Dayo Emmanuel and Blessing Oladunjoye, as a way to celebrate the icon for his immense support to young journalists.