Chief Segun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State under the Alliance for Democracy (AD) (1999-2003) and one of the founding members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) interacted with journalists about the preparations for his 80th birthday anniversary coming up on July 15, 2019 and his book entitled Battlelines: Adventures in Journalism and Politics, being launched today. He discussed how journalism impacted his life positively, various assassination attempts on his life and the problems of Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, among other national issues. SEYE OLUMIDE was there.
How did you feel celebrating 80?
I feel elated that the Almighty God kept my life till now because I had major medical challenges few years ago that could have ended my life. I survived major assassination attempts on my life, which was by the immense grace of God. That is why I take every day as an extra day from God to me and I do thanksgiving daily.
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Can you give insight into why you chose journalism as a career?
I found myself in journalism by accident. I was to study law because my closest teacher in school, the late Chief Adenola Oshuneye wanted me to study law. He was even furious that I decided to go into journalism because I had admission into the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to study law but Alhaji Babatunde Jose persuaded me to jettison the idea of reading law and take up journalism. In my school days, I contributed regularly to the school magazine called the Magnate in Methodist Boys High School, Abeokuta.
What attracted you to journalism? Some of your age category said they ran away from the profession because they felt the proceeds from it wouldn’t take care of their family needs?
The attraction to journalism is the challenge because a good journalist faces challenges everyday. Journalism is adventurous and educative and you learn everyday. Journalism gives exposure.