This book, Ladbone: A Life in Print, edited by Dapo Olorunyomi, the publisher of Premium Times, is a collection of 85 essays in honour of Oyinlade Bonuola, one of the original and creative minds in the Nigerian media. Here, friends, co-workers, mentees, family members and academics remember one the most accomplished Nigerian newspapermen, who is generally called Ladbone. They write about his life of a relentless struggle for excellence. They pay homage to a man who was often motivated by a deep sense of obligation and who relished the appeal and grace and glory of a long-distance runner. They pay tribute to Bonuola who is totally lacking in rank arrogance, in spite of all his enviable achievements in the media. They write about Ladbone who constantly espoused the art of the possible. Many of the writers in this book doff their hats to him as they sketch his profiles in dignity and tenacity. In a chorus of voices, they celebrate the man they call Mr Thoroughness; the man they describe as the gold standard journalist; the conscience of Nigerian journalism; the tree that made a forest; a journalism exemplar and statesman; the legend; the great teacher; the standard bearer; the big lad of Nigerian journalism; a fastidious professional; the architect of truth; the editor of editors; the bone of our bones; the phenomenal Ladbone; the engine room of The Guardian; a solid bridge across generations of Nigerian journalists; a perfectionist; a consummate workaholic; the media policeman; an extraordinary talent spotter; an architect and leader of the Joshua generation in the media; a master of simple prose; and a disciplinarian. Does this hero worship weaken the book? Not at all. I will return to this point in a moment.
They doff their hats to Ladbone, By Kunle Ajibade
