News
Niyi Odebode: The Hero Who’s Leaving PUNCH After 31 Years
Friday Olokor
Today, Sunday July 21 2024, another history is being made as a good man, Niyi Odebode.
Niyi Odebode bows out of Punch Newspapers as DEPUTY EDITOR after 31 years in active service. As Deputy Editor to three Editors, he has been the person generating all the awards -winning stories in PUNCH. The Editors won’t acknowledge or give him credit before management, but we know.
He is Egba man, from Ogun State, I’m Ika man, from Delta State. He didn’t commission me to do this, I didn’t take his permission because if I do, he will discourage me! If any issue I raise here are lies, arrest me and go to court!
The story of my Journalism career won’t be complete without mentioning this great man. And he will be among the few people in PUNCH I will celebrate, when I write my memoir. While Niyi has been severally celebrated as a hero for his good work and high professional mental alertness, especially by those who worked under his supervision, many left PUNCH unsung.
Niyi is a workaholic and drives you ‘crazy’ to perfection. Unlike many others who sit with their two legs stretch out on tables, dishing out instructions to we foot soldiers, Niyi will provide a guide on how a Reporter, especially those under his jurisdiction will excel and that is why today, Friday Olokor can squeeze out water from stones, even in the Sahara Desert.
Although we worked briefly in Lagos (and in different desks), my mastery became strengthened when he became my direct boss as Abuja Bureau Chief of THE PUNCH.
Some years ago, a very Distinguished Editor, (now also an ex-PUNCHer) on leave once visited Abuja and saw how Niyi was giving instructions to me, and provided guide on questions to ask a political heavyweight and the story that I churned out. Before then, he had jokingly asked: “How have you been coping with FRIDAY OLOKOR, who is believed to be stubborn?” I wasn’t there but was told that Niyi’s response ended all the lies being given to a dog in order to hang it.
I remember Niyi being quoted as telling him that “Olokor is greatly misunderstood; although he could be stubborn, yet you can get the best from him if you understand and manage him well.” Niyi knows my forte or what could be best described as strength. I became a UTILITY & RESCUE REPORTER through the instrumentality of oga Niyi because he knows my strengths. In the past, some bosses were misled by envious leopards into believing that there’s something fishy about being here and there, a development which my friend and colleague, Sunday Aborisade Sunday Aborisade Sunday Aborisade calls me “OLOKOR EVERYWHERE.” Today, if you call me ‘CSO Reporter’, ‘Protest Correspondent’, or any other names, you’re not wrong! In fact, one of them while in Abuja, usually mocks with mischief labeling me CSOs.
I covered a major event, the December 25 (Christmas Day) attack on St. Theresa’s Catholic Church in Madalla, Niger State by Boko Haram. Subsequent days when other competitors were sending between 5 & 10 Journalists, including their Bureau Chiefs and Managing Editors, Niyi directed thus: “Resume there in the church, go to the Hospitals and get me stories with photos. I have confidence in you.” And for about one week, I had two pages adorned with human angle “Stories By Friday Olokor.”
Niyi reorganised the Abuja Office of THE PUNCH and injected into it, sanity, conviviality, decorum and warmth. Everybody related like brothers. But the place became toxic when he left. But despite all these, Niyi is not a weakling because he’s guided by THE PUNCH spirit of discipline, decisiveness and merit. At a time when his colleagues in other organisations have become mercantile consultants, Niyi’s constant refrain had been: “The Lord Shall Provide.” My problem with him is that he’s too fearful, reason being that there’s a particular mole (working for his former boss) after him. The person succeeded, but where’s he today? On several occasions, on Saturdays, as Politics Editor, his former boss summoned him to “appear in the office in the next 30 minutes”, on the suspicion that he could be attending a meeting between politicians and other Politics Editors, according to the briefing he got from the particular mole. Some of us can’t be like him: You take, we take, don’t stop us. If you try to be greedy, the whole world will hear. As my people will say, “Egbe Beri, Ugon Beri…”
A detribalised Nigerian and rare breed, he’s one of the finest editors who have given Journalism a good name. If everybody will be like him, Nigeria will be a good place to live. Niyi will admire, assess and defend you (if you deserve it) NOT BECAUSE OF AFENIFERE OR EGBA SOLIDARITY but because of your output, competence, what you can do, proficiency and drive for NEWS. While some people will die unsung, the name, OLANIYI ODEBODE will continue to resonate in my mind, psyche and Encyclopaedia of world Journalism.
As you make history today after 31 years in PUNCH, I don’t have much to say but just congratulations. The best is yet to come and may God answer you according to your desires.
***Friday Olokor, Abuja-based journalist with Arise TV News Channel was former Group Politics Editor of The PUNCH
An Ikeja Special Offences Court has scheduled May 4, 2026, to deliver its ruling on whether an extra-judicial statement made by co-defendant Henry Omoile will be admitted as evidence in the ongoing trial involving former Godwin Emefiele.
The statement in question was allegedly made by Omoile, who is standing trial alongside Emefiele. Presiding judge, Justice Rahman Oshodi, fixed the date after both the prosecution and defence teams adopted their final written addresses during a trial-within-trial session.
The hearing is focused on determining whether Omoile’s statement was given voluntarily and is therefore admissible in court.
Emefiele is facing a 19-count charge bordering on alleged gratification, corrupt practices, and abuse of office, involving transactions estimated at $4.5 billion and ₦2.8 billion.
Omoile, meanwhile, is standing trial on a three-count charge relating to alleged unlawful acceptance of gifts connected to dealings with the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Counsel to Omoile, Senior Advocate of Nigeria Adeyinka Kotoye, argued that the statement should be rejected on the grounds that it was not voluntarily made. He cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, stressing the importance of video-recorded interrogations to ensure transparency.
The defence also raised concerns over possible coercion, inducement, and lack of proper legal representation during the recording of the statement.
Similarly, counsel to Emefiele, Olalekan Ojo (SAN), urged the court to discountenance the statement, arguing under the Evidence Act that any involuntary confession is inadmissible.
However, Director of Public Prosecutions, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), maintained that the statement was properly obtained in line with legal procedures, adding that although it was not video-recorded, it was made in the presence of Omoile’s lawyer.
He further argued that the contents of the statement do not support claims of coercion, noting that Omoile did not implicate Emefiele and denied the allegations against himself.
After hearing all submissions, Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter for ruling on May 4, 2026, while also fixing June 26 and June 30, 2026, for continuation of the substantive trial.
Nine kingmakers of Ijebu-Ode have been re-invited by the Ogun State Police Command to appear at the command headquarters in Eleweran, Abeokuta, next Monday and Tuesday over fresh allegations of bribery and financial inducement in the selection of the new Awujale and paramount ruler of Ijebuland.
The development marks the second time the kingmakers are being summoned by the police on the matter.
Recall that the Ogun State Government, in January 2026, suspended the selection process through a statement signed by the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat.
The suspension followed petitions from security agencies and other stakeholders.
The kingmakers were first invited by the Ogun State Police Command in February over similar accusations of cash inducement. However, the probe was later dropped following the intervention of superior authorities.
In the latest development, the nine kingmakers have been re-invited through a letter dated April 17, 2026, signed by Gbenga Adeoye, Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
One of the kingmakers, the Kakanfo of Ijebuland, Chief Abimbola Okenla, confirmed the invitation.
He disclosed that four of them are expected to appear on Monday, April 21, 2026, while the remaining five are scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2026.
Chief Okenla described the repeated invitations as a distraction, insisting that the allegations are unfounded.
“It’s true that the Ogun State Police Command has invited the kingmakers to the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta.
Four of us are to be there on Monday while the remaining five will be there on Tuesday,” he said.
“None of us is happy with this frequent invitation by the security agencies over unfounded allegations. The people of Ijebuland are equally not happy about it because it is becoming more of a distraction.”
The Kakanfo appealed to Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to conclude the selection process without further delay.
“We are only pleading with Governor Dapo Abiodun to allow the kingmakers to do their job and complete the assignment of picking the next Awujale of Ijebuland without any further delay,” he added.
Parts of the police invitation letter read:
“In continuation of the aforementioned case under investigation, you are kindly requested to report at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Eleweran, Abeokuta, Ogun State, on [Monday/Tuesday] April 21/22, 2026 at 1000hrs for an interview with the Commissioner of Police, through the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department.
“This is a fact-finding invitation pursuant to the investigative powers conferred on the Nigeria Police by the combined provisions of Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) and Section 4(a) of the Police Act 2020.
“Your presence is therefore required to assist in advancing the course of criminal justice delivery and fairness. Should you require any clarification, kindly contact 08038455857. Please take note that you are at liberty to come along with your lawyer.”
Nigerian-American singer, David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido has commended Nigerian businessman Aliko Mohammed Dangote for his style of living.
According to him, the owner of Dangote cement is a different kind of billionaire.
He said unlike other billionaires who always buy luxury cars and show off, Mr. Aliko buys two cars every 8 years.
Speaking in an interview, Davido stated that the businessman always tells him to save his money.
“Uncle Aliko is a different kind of a billionaire, Uncle Aliko buys like two cars every 8 years. He is different ” Davido said.
“Anytime he sees me he just says one thing, save your money. There is nothing more he tells me than save your money.” He added.
Court Fixes Ruling Date In High-Profile Godwin Emefiele Trial
Awujale Stool: Police Again Summon Kingmakers Over Alleged Bribery in Selection Process
Monetary Shake-Up! CBN Unveils New Interest Rate Benchmark
-
News20 hours agoJust in: Ex-Senate president, Saraki, others to face death penalty charges
-
News20 hours agoNigeria Rules Out IMF Bailout as Reforms Gain Ground –Finance minister, Edun
-
News15 hours agoKwankwaso has decided to be Obi’s running mate-Ibrahim Abdulkarim reveals
-
News19 hours agoHunger looming in Nigeria as Tinubu’s economic policies summersault- IMF cautions
-
Sports14 hours ago“Any attempt to lose to Arsenal, ends Mancity’s dream of title race”-Guardiola
-
News14 hours agoJust in: Tinubu assents 2026 Appropriation Bill, 2025 Budget Extension
-
News19 hours agoTragedy averted as man parks SUV on 3rd Mainland bridge jumps into lagoon
-
Education14 hours agoBREAKING: JAMB set to release first batch of 2026 UTME results today
You must be logged in to post a comment Login