At Folu Olamiti’s Book Launch: Ekpo Nta’s Goodwill Message

Today, in the iconic premises of the iconic University of Ibadan, my alma mater, It is indeed my greatest pleasure to join everyone at this book launch in celebrating Folu Olamiti as he unveils his book: A Peep Into the Past: an oeuure.

In November 2011, when I was appointed as the Acting Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), I had the opportunity of formally meeting with Folu Olamiti. He had served with my immediate predecessor, Justice Ayoola as a Media Consultant, and based on his antecedents, I had no problem extending, and subsequently renewing his contracts of service.

To a large extent, the down-to-earth reporting style of ICPC, which is devoid of sensationalism, can be attributed to his invaluable services based on his high reputation, equity and expertise as a matured journalist and Counsellor.

To his credit, throughout my tenure as ICPC Chairman, we never had to recant any publication. In addition, he left indelible foot prints and achievements in the National Volunteers Corps (NAVC) and other mandates of ICPC.

From when he left the Services of the ICPC after the expiration of his contracts, and long after I had completed my tenure as Chairman in August 2017, we have remained very close friends and I aptly follow his online publication:Newspotng.com for authentic daily news updates and breaking news.

As a distinguished Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors with 50 years of varied local and international journalism experiences, 32 of which he served at the African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc, Publishers of the Tribune titles, in different roles as Editor of the Sunday Tribune, Editor of the Nigerian Tribune and Executive Director of the Tribune titles’, it would have been a great disservice to humanity if he had not formally published this book!!!

Finally, dear Chairman of the occasion, State Governors in attendance (or in proxy), the Sir Folu Olamiti I know will never beg for National Honours so please use this opportunity to strongly recommend him for one, as we all know that given his unparalleled antecedents, he eminently deserved one decades ago for his selfless service to democracy, humanity and professional decency.