Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has disclosed how he won Prince Dotun Oyelade, an ace broadcaster, to his political camp in 2018.
The governor said he literally slept in the house of Prince Oyelade before he could eventually convince him to join his campaign team, preparatory to the 2019 elections.
The governor made the disclosure while speaking at the launch of a book, “DOTUN OYELADE REPORTING: Memoirs of a Newshound”, written to mark the 70th birthday anniversary of Oyelade.
Prince Oyelade, Executive Chairman of the Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State (BCOS), marked his 70th birthday with a book launch, on Saturday.
The governor said he almost found it difficult getting Oyelade into his political camp in 2018 as the celebrant was then with the Accord Party.
“When we were searching for a media handler for our campaign in 2017-2018, our focus was on the celebrant, Egbon Prince Dotun Oyelade.
“It was then very difficult for us as he was with the Accord Party. You know, members of that political party are difficult; you cannot buy them with money.
“During that period, there was almost no single day of the week that I will not visit the house of Prince Dotun Oyelade at Akobo to convince him to join us and head the media of our campaign team,” Makinde said.
Governor Makinde appreciated Prince Oyelade for the good works he has been doing as the Executive Chairman of the BCOS, noting that he has turned the corporation around positively.
“Each time I pass through the Idi Ape/Bashorun/Akobo Road, I will always pause to behold the good works that Egbon Prince Oyelade is doing at the BCOS,” he added.
Governor Makinde, who was the chief launcher of the book, said Oyelade and journalists of his generation were professionals who were convinced of the need to positively impact the society.
While he admitted that he was yet to read it, Makinde promised to go through the book so as to digest the content, noting: “There will be a lot of lessons to be learnt from the book.”
The governor recommended it to students and practitioners of journalism and bought 40 copies of the book for himself and the chairmen of the 33 local councils in the state.
In his remarks, the celebrant, Prince Oyelade, said he would not say much as the book has revealed all he may he want to say, but thanked God for his sojourn in journalism, a career that has spanned 45 years.
The Executive Chairman of BCOS said he has lived a remarkably successful life, most of which he said was spent on broadcast journalism.
“I want to live the rest of my life on professional and marital mentorship,” Oyelade said, just as he used the occasion to renew his marital vow to his wife of over 43 years, Funmilay, by presenting her with an expensive wedding ring.
Earlier during a short service conducted to mark the 70th birthday anniversary, Reverend Femi Oyelade, in his sermon, spoke about how to celebrate a birthday.
He admonished that, while celebrating a birthday, one should review his or her life, appreciate God for His goodness, ask for wisdom to continue to live and work.
He said all humans should seek for reconciliation with their fellow humans and amend their lives.
The book, “DOTUN OYELADE REPORTING: Memoirs of a Newshound”, was reviewed by Professor Olawale Albert of African History, Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Ibadan; Professor Adepoju Tejumaiye, Head of Department, Mass Communication, University of Lagos; and Professor Yinka Oyewo, Head of Department, Communications and Language Arts, University of Ibadan.
The event drew several dignitaries from the state, among who were former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and his wife; and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi.
On Governor Makinde’s entourage were the state deputy governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, some members of the State Executive Council, some of the governor’s special advisers and some members of the state House of Assembly, among several others.
