THE FOOLISHNESS OF DARE BABARINSA @70 By Wale Ojo-Lanre

.I am not here today to pour ashes into the joy of Chief Dare Babarinsa, who turns 70 and, in his characteristic simplicity, chooses to celebrate this grand occasion not in the gleaming salons of Lagos where most of his friends reside, but in Okemesi—the land of his birth.

Yes, days like this are sacred. They are golden hours when memories are reawakened, legacies revisited, and the deeds of the celebrant trumpeted with joyful pride. But I am always baffled at the hypocrisy of these tributes—those elegant memoirs and glowing praises that artfully sidestep the weaknesses of the celebrant. As though mentioning flaws would stain the celebration. As though truth were the enemy of honour. To me, such evasions do no justice to the celebrant or to humanity. For age is no bound to behavioural amendmentThus, I seize this moment—not to scold, but to illuminate; not to condemn, but to reflect. I seek to reveal the foolishness of Chief Dare Babarinsa, who clocks 70 today.

Indeed, the great has aged!

Dare Babarinsa—the Okemesi-born literary giant, a journalist extraordinaire, a wordsmith of the rarest breed, and a historian of towering repute—has reached the grand milestone of 70 years on this terrestrial plane.

The man who penned Eat Now, Pay Later has, quite literally, eaten diligently of life’s feast and now savours the sweetness of septuagenarian wisdom. You don’t expect me to remain mute while a colossus of this stature marks a moment as monumental as this. No! Not when my mentor—one I admire deeply—refuses to purge himself of a certain blemish that has become, curiously, part of his charm.

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Yes, Oga Dare, Baba Ijo of the Anglican Communion in Okemesi, has reached a mighty peak today. But such an occasion should not restrain us from confronting the curious scar woven into his behavioural tapestry. This, I believe, is the perfect time—at 70—to draw attention to the one fault in his near-faultless design.

This man is, without contest, a paragon of ethical journalism. A refined spirit. A stoic whose pen is dipped in the ink of conscience and courage. His prose captivates from the very first syllable to the last full stop—truly unputdownable! His writing is not mere reporting; it is a communion of thought and rhythm, a distillation of truth and nuance.

What makes Dare truly exceptional is not just the brilliance of his professional accomplishments, but the humility with which he wears them. Unlike many crowned with laurels, he has never succumbed to the stupidity of greatness. Instead, he carries himself with the poise and dignity of an Omoluabi—a true Ekiti son, honourable and noble.

Though not towering in physical height, he stands tall in mental capacity. His intellect is vast, his thinking—razor-sharp. He dissects issues with critical precision, reassembles perspectives with philosophical clarity, and interprets events with a clairvoyant’s insight. This introspective genius is not just admirable—it is incontestable.

At heart, Dare Babarinsa is a good man. A man of clean hands and purer motives. Humble in deeds. Gentle in spirit. And yet, if you ask me what his greatest flaw is, I will tell you without hesitation: his foolishness lies in his stubborn refusal to abandon the sacred tenets of journalism. Yes, Dare Babarinsa has never joined the ranks of the Ghana-Must-Go journalists. He has stuck—painfully, perhaps even foolishly—to the strict ethics and professional demands of true journalism.

That is why, at 70, as famous as he is, he is not rich in gold or property, but only in integrity, honour, and cultivated respect. While others stashed away ill-gotten wealth, Dare built a treasury of unblemished credibility.

To worsen his “case,” he could have given his company a trendy, captivating name. But no—he chose Gaskiya Media Ltd. Gaskiya, in Hausa, means truth or frankness. What temerity! In an age where deceit is currency, this man chose truth as his brand. He has forgotten—or refuses to acknowledge—that in this world, Gaskiya does not pay.

And still, I believe he can change. For 70 is not too old to adopt a new behaviour—one that may not bring more honour (for he already swims in it), but perhaps, just perhaps, might bring a little more money.
But I trust him , Oga Dare can never changed this side of his foolishness .
Gasikiya, being forthright and humility all are ingrained in his gene- O ti di baraku .

So, join me today in celebrating this rare breed—a consummate journalist, an affectionate father, a faithful husband, an insightful mentor, and a selfless Nigerian patriot.

Iyan a dun l’erun rin loni yato, Oga mi Ayé!
Happy birthday to an authority on historical journalism, a veritable master of the written word, a relentless researcher, and an amiable gentleman.

Many joyful returns,Oga mi Ayiye .
Igba Odun Odun kan
Kare o.
Omo Oke Agbona