Media veteran, Chief Tola Adeniyi, will unveil his autobiography, Tola Adeniyi: Chapters Of Destiny, at the Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, by 10am, on Tuesday, 14 April, 2026.
The event will also feature the presentation of the rebranded editions of two other books authored by the renowned media manager: The Jewel (an authorised the biography of the late Chief (Mrs) HID Awolowo, and This Is Nigeria: A Sociological X-Ray of Nigerian Professionals.
Most Rev Ayo Ladigbolu, a prince of Oyo and retired Archbishop of Methodist Church, Ilesa, is the chairman of the occasion at the unveiling of the autobiography.
The Royal Father of the Day is a former federal lawmaker and former governor of Oyo State, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja.
The Guest Speaker is a popular social critic and human rights activist, Mr Dele Farotimi, while the moderator is Dr Akinniyi Sowunmi.
The Discussants are Dr Sina Kawonise, a former commissioner in Ogun State; Dr Lasisi Olagunju, Editor, Saturday Tribune; and a columnist, Dr Festus Adedayo.
Tola Adeniyi: Chapters Of Destiny was first formally launched at the NECA House, Ikeja, Lagos, on Tuesday, 3 March, 2026.
Speaking on the essence of the Ibadan event, the author, who is the Jagun Oodua said the capital city of Oyo State has been part and parcel of his earthly existence.
“The Ibadan megacity has featured prominently in the life I have lived in the last 81 years. It is thus my pleasure to unveil my autobiography in the ancient city,” Akogun Adeniyi told Newscoven.com.
Tola Adeniyi: Chapters Of Destiny, which celebrates the Trinity of Destiny, Fate and Character, has been adjudged a collector’s item and an humble bequest of the author “to humanity, particularly youths and those who may want to learn a lesson or two from the travails of my journey in life and through life.”
Jagun Oodua Tola Adeniyi, more than being a veteran journalist, has been variously described as a titan of the pen and the Field Marshall of the Fourth Estate.
Jumoke Owoola, founder of the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge, Development and Sustainability (CIKDAS), recently wrote of the author: “He is a scribe of ancestral courage and a vanguard of national conscience who has spent over five decades ensuring that truth remains the bedrock of our collective identity.
Jagun Oodua Tola Adeniyi had his early years steeped in the discipline of Quranic learning and the riches of Yoruba oral poetry, and broad-based intellectual foundation.
A leader, a guardian of truth, he became Africa’s first newspaper Ombudsman in 1974, setting a gold standard for media accountability.
A graduate of the University of Ibadan and University of Lancaster, he started out his journalism profession by being a cub reporter and rose to become the Editor-in-Chief of the Nigerian Tribune and Chairman/CEO of the Daily Times of Nigeria Plc at various times.
Chief Tola Adeniyi has over 13,000 articles and 16 weekly columns under pseudonyms like Aba Saheed, consistently using his pen to challenge bad governance and defend the integrity of the Yoruba cultural values.
He was the pioneer President of the League of Nigerian Columnists and Chairman of Knowledge Plaza, even as his numerous books and writings were described “as archival sanctuaries for the next generation.”
Owoola of CIKDAS, in celebrating the icon of journalism, further described him as “a chronicler of communal bravery and a true omoluabi of the dual profession.
“He has taught us that to be a journalist is to be a sacrificial guardian of truth, proving that when a man’s pen is guided by his faith and a heart for his heritage, his legacy becomes a sanctuary that will sustain Nigeria for generations to come.”
