By, Seye Adetunmbi, 24/9/2025
It is a thing of joy to live long in good health and happiness with a peace of mind. To be consistently intellectually savvy in old age, is a rare gift and the icing of the cake. This is why I am particularly excited for Dr (honoris causa) Femi Orebe for "breasting" the tape of the race to the 80th natal anniversary, in his lifetime journey, on 24/9/25 to the glory of God and for the benefit of the journalistic world. To specifically celebrate him for gracefully making it to the 8th floor, let me share the preface of his book scheduled for public presentation in October 2025.I quote verbatim:
It is considered a privilege to be associated with the publishing of this unique book written by one of the reputable, erudite, and very prolific writers in the history of newspaper columnists in Nigeria. Dr Femi Orebe is an outstanding, talented, and consistent newspaper columnist with a large followership of devoted readers. Expectedly, his complete published weekly article between 2006 and 2024 is quite huge. It was a real editorial challenge going through over 1,282,200 words to come up with a consolidated 2,285-page in A4 size and extract this maiden edition of 300,000+ words book of 7x10 inches size. This is about a pool of materials that are worthy of being published in a book for posterity. His complete work would fit into three separate books of 800 pages each in A4 sizes.
His articles over the years of course covered a wide range of subjects. Consequently, the contents of this book were structured into sections and subsections to bring topics that bear relevance to the title of each section under the same category, and in order of the dates they were published in the newspaper. Some of the sections have more than enough materials for them to be published as a book independently which may still manifest in future as the author continues to share his perspectives on contemporary issues as a going concern. Being a corpus of his weekly published articles in his column in the newspaper, they have to be clinically and strategically packaged in a sequence towards making it more interesting to read for everyone who gets a copy to explore. There were times that he addressed two or more different headings in an article. We took out some and placed them in the section or subsection they belong to while the majority of the essays were published in this book, verbatim. In all, there are five sections in this book.
The first section is about his reminiscences on how his journey started as a citizen journalist as well as early working life after graduating from the university and related stories. Section two covers some of his articles classified to be political, which was divided into six categories as subsections. Section three underscores his versatility as an inexhaustible writer; it is a compilation of integrated cogitative articles on contemporary issues of communal and national concern. Majority of his published articles fell in this category and they were arranged in subsections in order of dates too. At various times he paid tributes to individuals and institutions which constitute the fourth section of this book. He also had cause to review some books in his column. These reviews constitute the fifth section.
Albeit, the book tells the story of the author, revealing him aggregately as an administrator, technocrat, business manager, politician, business owner, public relations guru, prolific writer, and in fact as a consummate public intellectual. This was done with some vintage pictures to plan the pages, also to further give the compendium a distinct character and complement some of the contents in the book which all together should make the exemplar-literature refreshing to read. It was indeed a remarkable task working with the author by making sure that every department of his complete published work as a columnist featured in this maiden book of the distinguished citizen journalist. The humility of Dr Femi Orebe is exemplary.
The 74% (6As and 1B+) he scored in his final result at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), more than qualify him for a First-Class degree, which would have been the first ever to be awarded in the history of his department at the great university. His brilliance shined in all his writings and published essays over the years. Yet, he will tell you that he is not a trained journalist. This among other reasons informed his choice of the title for this splendid literary work; “Simply a Citizen Journalist”.
On behalf of Mindscope Africa, Dr. Orebe is appreciated for giving Mindscope Africa the opportunity to associate with this terrific legendary work. It is a must-have book in the library of all ranks of schools, colleges, universities, and individuals who want an irresistible reference-trusted-material on integrated contemporary issues (politics, economy, government, history, dramatis personae in the scheme of things etc) in Nigeria and around the world in the 20th and 21st century.
Unquote
The inimitable Odidimade, Chief Dele Fajemirokun is the Lead Presenter of the book to the public when the it is formally unveiled on October 25, 2025 in Lagos. Meanwhile, the book is available on Amazon through this link Simply a Citizen Journalist
What else can I say to oga Orebe as he becomes an octogenarian today, September 24, 2025 than to pray for ajinde ara and that may God grant him the grace to see things of joy in his household for the rest of his life in Jesus Christ's name, amen.
Happy 80th birthday to you, sir 🎂 🥳 🎉 🎈 🎁 🎊
1A
PRESIDENT TINUBU CELEBRATES ACE COLUMNIST FEMI OREBE AT 80
President Bola Tinubu congratulates pro-democracy activist and celebrated columnist, Dr Femi Orebe, on his 80th birthday on September 24.
Over the last three decades, Dr Orebe has written extensively on Nigerian and international politics and issues.
President Tinubu acknowledges Orebe's incisive articles and regular interventions in public affairs, which have impacted many and helped to shape public policies.
Describing him as an ally and brother, the President also highlights Orebe's contributions to the knowledge world through his book "Simply A Citizen Journalist," which is due for public presentation soon.
"I have followed Dr Orebe's columns and informed commentaries over the years, first in the defunct Comet newspapers and later in The Nation.
"Dr Orebe lives his appellation as a Citizen Journalist. His pen is transformative. He writes to correct the ills of society and proffers ideas to engender the necessary changes. His struggles and advocacy for democracy and good governance in the land are also noteworthy," the President remarks.
As Dr Orebe joins the Octogenarian Club, President Tinubu wishes him more strength and continued grace of God.
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
September 24, 2025
Dr Abiodun Adu wrote:
TRIBUTE TO DR FEMI OREBE AT 80
Femi and l have been good friends for over six decades dating back to our time at the famous Christ's School, Ado-Ekiti fondly referred to as THE SCHOOL. We belonged to the 1959/63 set. Femi actually joined our Set in year 2 in 1960. l guess he must have done brilliantly in his Primary School to be so recommended. He soon became a popular member of our set and that holds true till today.He was a lovable rascal and got away with a lot of his antics largely because some of our seniors especially those in Dallimore House liked him and that included my senior brother Tunji Adu. His name if l can recall correctly never appeared in the imposition book and the dreaded Detention Book, unlike some of us. 😁
Femi's sense of humour is legendary. He used to bend us over with laughter doing the impression of some of our teachers.😁His best party piece was the impression of one Yoruba teacher from lyin Ekiti who used to mix mainstream Yoruba language with Ekiti dialect. To say it was hilarious would be an understatement!Femi usually left us in stitches with his impressions😁.
At the end of year 3, it was the norm at the School for those science oriented to be separated from those humanities subjects inclined. Femi was in the humanities section. He soon shone brightly and was one of the 3 who cropped 5As in that section at WAEC exams. Soon after WAEC, he secured a job at a commercial bank in Lagos for a year or two. As a dashing bank employee, always immaculately turned out, he became constant in the social life of Lagos. l leave the rest to your imagination.😁He gained admission to the then University of lfe now OAU to major in History under the tutelage of the world renowned historian, Professor Banji Akintoye, the current Yoruba leader. He graduated with a 2/1 missing the first class by a whisker. Even though he missed out on a first class, he won the faculty award for the best performing Student that year.
After graduation, he embarked on his chosen career of university administration starting of from University of lbadan, then University of lfe and finally as Deputy Registrar at the University of llorin. His stellar career in iniversity administration was propelled by formidable professors such as Professor Kayode Oshuntokun, Professor Oluwasanmi, VC Unife and Professor Akinkugbe, VC Unilorin to mention just a few.
While he pursued his university administration career, he wrote copoiusly for some Nigeria print media such as the defunct Comet, Tribune and the Nation. His full excursion and deep dive to full-time journalism took him to the Nation Newspaper where he has been a steady and compelling Sunday columnist for over 10 years. Femi's articles bear the hallmarks of who he is, a man of unshakable integrity, honesty, single mindedness with an unrestrained philosophical principles and ideology, a progressive to the core with a compassionate social conscience and moral compass.
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| Dr Abiodun Adu |
His book, Simply a Citizen Journalist that would be formally launched in October 2025 to mark the 80th birthday knees-up encapsulates the essence of him. He does not suffer fools gladly and does not mind whose ox is gored with his incisive articles. What you see is what you get with Femi, no airs and graces. I am proud to say my friend today sits at the top table of Nigeria’s formidable columnists.
He remains a trustworthy and dependable friend. Double and warm congratulations on joining the octogenarian select Club and launching your much awaited book.
We give all the praise to God for all he has blessed you with. With God as your strength, we will celebrate you at 90, 100 and beyond. I wish you God's richest blessings now and in the future in robust health. My warm regards to Olori Tinu, your beautiful daughters, Kemi and Yetunde and dashing Femi Jr, and the grandchildren. Knowing you, you don't need any encouragement to enjoy yourself to the fullest tonight. Okun o 🩷
