Shola Oshunkeye’s 70th Colloquium: Launch of Byline & Backbone and the Call for Human-Interest Journalism

Veteran journalist and CEO of The Creat Online, Shola Oshunkeye, celebrated his 70th birthday with a colloquium attended by friends, family and media colleagues on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The event doubled as the public launch of his memoir, Byline & Backbone: A Lifetime of Big and Impactful Stories. Dr. Lasisi Olagunju reviewed the book while Dele Momodu delivered the keynote address. Momodu urged a return to depth and empathy in reporting, warning that the race for virality has sidelined thoughtful storytelling and moral anchoring in journalism. A panel led by Funke Egbemode explored the fate of human-interest journalism today. Tony Onyima noted that most news still centres on politics, while Mayor Akinpelu argued that lifestyle stories have simply moved to new platforms. Reflecting on his career, Oshunkeye advised young reporters to pursue conviction over quick gains. “If your ambition is to make money, go to another industry,” he said. “In journalism, the only thing you will make is your name.”

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