Ismail Babatunde Jose - Online Memorial Website

My great uncle and a Legend of his Time. i was glad i was one of the last to see you before you took the last breath with my big brother Adam Osha 1& the very first to sign the condolence register. my memories of you are so fresh and dear to me. Anytime i say my Salat i remembered how much you instill Islam into us and how enterprising you made us from a very early age.
my first experience of a job or selling was at the age of 9,as Evening times vendor by the corner of Olonode st and Hughes Ave in Yaba with my cousins. we all did regardless you chaired the Board and the CEO of Daily Times Of Nigeria.
My first ever paid employment was in Irede Printers where we all worked during Summer holidays after you left DTN. The closest cousins i have are your children who never sees me as a cousin but a brother. i later realised how close you were to my Grand Father who is your Uncle, when you assumed the chairmanship of the Estate Trustee. your love for me was not because of your uncle but me, the troublesome Tunde, who your Children influence so much.
And our times in England was another revelation of your new you to me with white beards and VIOLIN like voice.Discussing national issues and taking me down memories lane with full house in East Acton. And coming to take you to Mosque on Fridays which always made you complain of my timing.
Am glad you witnessed the positive sides of all before you departed and was able to embrace all.
As i wrote in the condolence register, you lived well and had a share of true life among families and friends. i prayed Allah Subuana Tallah grant you Al janah.           

ooooooooooooooooh BABA sun re oooo, we shall always remembered you and follow the footpaths you left base on your contributions towards Al -Islam. your legacy in the field of journalism shall remain for any potentials talented one to come in the same field to follow as you also follow the teachings of Islam and the tradittions of prophet( MUHAMMED SAW).

Life of human-being on the face of earth without Al -Islam is nothing bcos your purpose of being created is to serve and recongnize your creator and that is ALLAH.

BABA JOSE has immortalize himself with many actions of admiration that will never be shy away from  the hearts of well meaning nigerians and the muslims world in general, so , read surah Kawther and ponder over the meaning to have great end and be remebered. PA AJOSE LIVES. REST IN PERFECT PEACE WITH ALLAH.

Nigeria: Name NUJ National Secretariat After Jose - IBB

Leadership <http://www.leadershipnigeria.com/> (Abuja)
11 August 2008
Posted to the web 11 August 2008
Christiana Esebonu
Former Military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has called for the naming of the National Headquarters of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and The Radio House after late Alhaji Babatunde Jose.
The ex-military president who described the deceased as a foremost journalist a great patriot, a nationalist, and pen pusher of no mean reputation, stressed that the ethnical content of his deliveries, the investigative bent of his reportage, the flow of his discourse, his style of presentation and his deep knowledge of the diverse issues in the country, were part of what made him distinctive and impressionistic in his wonderful career.

  
In a statement jointly signed by the former military president and his media spokesman, Prince Kassim Afegbuna, the ex-president stressed that an irreplaceable vacuum has been created in the journalism profession especially for upcoming ones, who should see the late pen pusher as a role model.
He further described the deceased as one journalist who was always thorough in his production and used the right word to describe situations and left his readers spell-bound by his graphic presentation. Adding that his essays breathed life and it was always easy to see the energy he put into them to make his signature – classic.
General Babangida further called on practising journalists nationwide to see the death of the great icon as a challenge, a call to duty, to reason, to excellence and to factual reportage.
He urged media practitioners to borrow from the experiences of "our own Alhaji Babatunde Jose in the course of doing their all important assignments of documenting history and reporting events in the march to fill up the opportunities of this information," he stated.

Babatunde Jose, journalism icon, dies at 82...Fashola, Daniel, Dimeji, Tinubu, Osoba, others mourn

Sunday, August 3, 2008
·  How he passed on — Wife
 

   
    

  
  

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ALHAJI Babatunde IsmailJose, journalism icon, is dead. Aged 82, the man, who bestrode the Nigerian journalism scene like a colossus when he presided over the affairs of Daily Times which under him grew into the largest stable of newspapers and magazines in Africa, passed on at about 4.15 a.m. yesterday at St Nicholas Hospital, Lagos.
He had been rushed to the hospital days earlier after his ill health suddenly grew worse. The remains of the man, who died four months to his 83rd birthday, December 13, were committed to the mother earth at Abari Cemetery, Yaba, Lagos, yesterday at about 4.00 p.m. The chief imam of Alwal Islam, Sheikh Ahmed Babatunde Yusuf, who presided at the burial ceremony, said Jose lived exemplary life which was dedicated to the service of humanity.
Yusuf said the deceased was a good man who feared God and therefore admonished those still alive to live a good life “because one day we shall all die as Alhaji Jose has died and render our accounts of stewardship before God.” Speaking on how her husband died, Alhaja Azeez Ajose told Sunday Vanguard yesterday that the deceased had been sick for the past two years and unable to attend social functions.
According to her, the sickness took a turn for the worse in the last one week, following which he was rushed to St Nicholas Hospital. “In the last two years that Papa has been ill, the sickness has been on and off. The sickness has been due to old age. The illness became critical in the last one week which made the family to lose hope of him recovering from it. We rushed him to St. Nicholas Hospital but he died at about 4.15 a.m. today (yesterday)”, the bereaved woman said.
She said Jose would be missed for his love and kindness. Early callers at the Samuel Manuwa, Victoria Island, Lagos home of Jose, to commiserate with the family, yesterday, include Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State, SAN; former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; former information minister, Prince Tony Momoh and Odafe Othihiwa of African Independent Television.
Reactions
Reactions to the death were swift. Those who paid glowing tributes to the departed doyen of journalism include Fashola; his Ogun State counterpart, Gbenga Daniel; Speaker Dimeji Bankole of the House of Representatives; former governor of Lagos State, Ashiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; the president of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN, Chief Ajibola Ogunsola; Vanguard Chairman, Mr Sam Amuka; Nigerian Guild of Editors; Dr. Yemi Ogunbiyi and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu.
End of brilliant chapter - Fashola
Fashola, in his tribute, described the passage of Jose as the conclusion of a brilliant chapter in the history of Nigerian journalism. The governor, who signed the condolence register during his condolence visit, wrote that the chapter was characterized by “very high ethics, compassion, courage and exemplary leadership”.
According to the governor, as the acknowledged doyen of modern Nigerian journalism takes a bow to meet his creator, the country will miss his very invaluable contributions to national development.
Fashola, however, prayed that the departure of the foremost journalist and accomplished administrator will inspire even more people especially journalists and other Nigerians at large to strive to surpass his achievements. While wishing Jose Al janah firdaus, he prayed that Allah will give all the loved ones he left behind the fortitude to bear the loss. The governor took part in the Janazah prayers for the deceased.
Irreparable loss - Daniel
Daniel described the death of Jose as an irreparable loss to the journalism profession. In a statement issued in Abeokuta by Kayode Samuel, Ogun State commissioner for information and orientation, the governor said Jose was a worthy example of all that is good in journalism and that he can be fittingly described as a pillar of the profession who was committed to the tenets and best traditions of journalism.
“Alhaji Jose was a doyen of no mean standing; he was an erudite journalist, an upright man who ensured that journalism was practised as a tool for social reformation and development. He gave his all to the profession and was instrumental to the robust role journalism is now playing in our national life. It is noteworthy that even after his retirement, Alhaji Jose maintained his love and dedication to journalism by mentoring others and chairing the Nigeria Media Merit Award initiative”, he stated. Daniel urged Nigerian journalists to emulate the Jose tradition of truthfulness, balance, patriotism and fairness which he said were the hallmarks of responsible journalism.
It’s monumental loss - Bankole
The speaker of House of Representatives described the death of Jose as a monumental loss to the nation and a big loss to journalism profession. Dimeji, in a statement by his special adviser, media affairs, Mr. Kayode Akinmade, stated that the deceased left an indelible mark in the pen profession as a doyen of developmental journalism. He said the late veteran journalist was amongst the many heroes of independent Nigeria as he fought colonial masters gallantly through the pen.
His words: “A thorough bred journalist who contributed to national development before and after independence through his profession, the history of journalism in Nigeria will give him a prominent chapter. “The death has robbed Nigeria of a media icon, a statesman and a nationalist par excellence. Alhaji Jose came, saw and conquered the Nigerian world of journalism. My Allah grant his soul eternal rest and the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.
Departure diminishes us - Tinubu
Tinubu said Jose’s departure “diminishes us all”.In his tribute entitled, ‘A patriot in life and death’, the former governor of Lagos said: “He was the doyen of Nigerian journalism. Indeed, on account of the role he played in using the Daily Times as a standard that inspired so many publications and nurtured media professionals who today straddle Nigeria’s political and economic sectors, he has been rightly given the accolade, father of modern Nigerian journalism.
“The departure of such a great man diminishes us all. We can no longer benefit from his encyclopedic grasp of the news process that he acquired within two decades of rising from an employment as a technical trainee in 1941 to become the Managing Director of Africa’s most prosperous news organization in 1962.
We can no longer invite him to those interesting sessions to relive his days and learn from his experience in walking the tight rope of business and politics within the organisation that he served so well. All that is left are the writings he left behind and those that were written about him. Putting these writings in a single volume should be a worthy way to immortalize this epitome of patriotism.
“In my reflections of the life and times of this great educator and mass communicator, I have singled out three outstanding values that those of us who wish to follow his footsteps must imbibe. These are the values of enterprise, dedication to work and faith in the Almighty.
“The prodigious enterprise of Pa Ismail Jose has already been acknowledged by many researchers. What is often left unsaid is that his life in this regard is rare among journalists of his days and even now. The impression is given that journalism is an endangered profession and journalists are unable to meet up with the middle class expectations.
The life of Pa Jose teaches us that this should not be so. It teaches that enterprise is a reliable handmaiden of professionalism. Secondly, his life teaches that there is no alternative to meticulous hard work in achieving personal goals and corporate aspirations. We thank God that many years after he left the board room, Pa Jose’s legacy of hard work and professionalism continues to dominate discourse on journalism”.
Our father is gone - Ajibola
Ajibola, the NPAN president, extolling the virtues of the deceased, wrote in the condolence register: “Our sage, our father is gone. The shining profile of the Nigerian press becomes a little brilliant without Alhaji Jose. “From being a tower that was defiled by military imperialists, he emerged a living monument. “We almost forgot that this morning would come when he would no longer be around. We will remember and our successors will always remember him.”
Father of modern journalism dies - Osoba
Osoba, one of those who served under Jose at Daily Times, said the deceased produced the best array of journalists in Nigeria. The former governor told Sunday Vanguard: “That is the death of the father of modern day journalism. He produced the best array of journalists in this country, including your publisher, Sam Amuka, Tony Momoh, myself, Henry Odukomaya and many others.
“There is no newspaper founded in this country in the last thirty to forty years that does not Alhaji Jose’s men in charge. “He stood for what is best for journalism and he was a colossus and there can never be a second Alhaji Babatunde Jose. “He expanded Daily Times beyond the level he took over as managing director and chairman of the paper. And he produced great journalists who went ahead to take charge of most of the newspapers in this country today. You will find his imprint and input in all the media houses in this country. Until his death, I was like the first son of the old man in both professional term and in real term.”
We are part of his footprint - Amuka
Amuka, having also been at Daily Times, said he is part of the footprint left behind by the deceased journalism icon. Vanguard Chairman said in his tribute: “Alhaji Jose was a great Nigerian, a very fine fellow. He left his footprint in the job that he did in the business of journalism. “We are all part of the footprint. I passed through Daily Times, me and my peers. I am glad that he is being properly mourned.”
Jose was a professional journalist - Momoh: Tony Momoh, who was also at Daily Times, echoed Osoba’s sentiments. His words: “I remember him as a professional journalist who took to a very high level the establishment of newspapers, the operations of newspapers and massive diversification in the newspaper business. In the establishment of newspapers, he increased the titles in the Daily Times Group from about three to 14. Then, in the operation of newspapers, he concentrated on the training of manpower not only for the editorial department but also in other areas and, in diversification of the newspaper business, he moved into related areas like marketing of publication, establishment of printing wing, packaging wing and leisure services. Most important was the training of journalists when he established a school that trained journalists not only for the Daily Times Group but also for the industry. Personally, he made me what I’m in the profession today and I owe everything to him.”
He was a professional father - Ugochukwu: To Ugochukwu, another Daily Times man, Jose was a professional father “with whom I maintained a very close relationship until his death.” He added in his tribute: “He was the greatest newspaper administrator in the country who turned around the fortunes of the Daily Times and prepared it to be quoted on the Stock Exchange. He was a man of great foresight who planned 200 years ahead of time for a simultaneous printing of the Daily Times.
“Beyond the Daily Times, Alhaji Jose played major roles in other media organizations in the country as he was charged with the responsibility of reorganizing Federal Government media organizations such as the New Nigerian Newspapers, the FRCN and the NTA in 1984. His national relevance went beyond the media as he played very important roles in other national assignments. For instance, he was the chairman of the committee that moved Nigeria driving from right hand drive to the left. He did it so well that they were very few accidents even when most people were afraid that there would be so much accidents as a result of the change. To me, he was my mentor, father and friend and indeed was at some point everyone in the Nigerian media worked under him. Mention them, Uncle Sam who started The Punch and later started Vanguard worked under him at the Daily Times. Tony Momoh also worked under him; those who started Concord left the Daily Times to start that paper; those who started The Guardian also left the Daily Times to start it.”
He trained distinguished journalists - Jakande: The former governor of Lagos State, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, also a journalist, described the death of Jose as a great loss to Nigeria. He told Sunday Vanguard last night: ”His death is a great loss to the country and a great loss to journalism. He was a titan and an icon. He was an accomplished journalist and newspaper publisher. His contributions to Nigeria will ever be remembered. He trained many journalists who are today in high positions.
Death is major loss to journalism - Ogunbiyi: Ogunbiyi, former university teacher, writer, administrator and the Balogun Ipara-Remo, who presided over the affairs of the Daily Times Group as managing director from 1989 to 1991, expressed shock at the death of Jose. He regretted that he was out of Lagos when the incident happened, saying that he would have used the occasion to release to the media a copy of a lecture he presented on the life and times of the deceased. Ogunbiyi, who was in the Rivers State capital, Port Harcourt, when the news of the death was broken, said: “Obviously, the death of the first indigenous managing Director of the Daily Times of Nigeria, Alhaji Babatunde Jose is a big shock to me even though I am aware he’s been ill for some time now. It is, indeed, a major loss to the profession of journalism in the country.
“Though the grand old man had retired from active practice, he was constantly in touch with the practitioners and was ever willing to contribute his wealth of experience for the development of the industry. It is indeed the end of an era because Alhaji Jose represented the old order of committed practitioners of the pen profession. As a managing director I had the privilege of going through some of the files left behind by Baba and I was able to see first hand what he did while in the Daily Times as the chief executive of the group and it is amazing to acknowledge his level of commitment to the profession. It is even more amazing to pint out that even though he had no university degree he did not just set up the Daily Times Training School, he also went further to insist that reporters in the group must hold, at least, a university degree. That was remarkable for a man who did not have a university degree himself. It is a pity, I am not in Lagos at the moment. I would have given the media a copy of the lecture I delivered on him when he was honoured with a chair at the University of Lagos recently.”
He was stickler for excellence - Zoro: Alhaji Sani Zoro, erstwhile President, Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, also eulogised the departed doyen of Nigerian journalism. His words: “We pay tribute to the greatest media doyen of our time. The death of Alhaji Babatunde Jose can only be only be described as the end of a generation of a media guru who was an astute disciplinarian and a sticker for excellence of his calibre who had lived all his life for the development of the media in Nigeria. As the first indigenous managing director of the Daily Times Group, Alhaji Jose represented the second generation of media practitioners in Nigeria to take the industry beyond the pedestal and took it to a new height of respectability. Whatever measures the nation’s newspapers can take to honour or immortalise this exceptional and rare breed of human being is desirable. I will also call on the Federal Government to consider honouring Alhaji Jose, the pioneer managing director of DTN for his towering contribution to the group, the nation and humanity in general.”
It’s the end of an era - NGE: The newly inaugurated executive council of the NGE expressed shock at the death. The president of the Guild who was sworn in last Monday, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, said the passage of Jose is the end of an era. His words: “The passage of the doyen of Nigerian journalism, Alhaji Babatunde Jose, signifies the end of and era. He was quite essential to the development of modern journalism not only in Nigeria but in the West African sub-region. Alhaji Jose without any doubt represented an age that took journalism to an enviable height in the country as he encouraged practitioners to do their job excellently.
This he did because he had the privilege of going through the
rank and file of the profession. He was a reporter, editor, managing director and later chairman of the Daily Times Group. He took the company to a new height and made the newspaper so powerful that it became an alternative government in the country which was why the then Obasanjo Government clamped on it and took over the company. “We will miss him greatly but the virtues he represented remain forever. The Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, will participate fully in the burial and celebration of the life of a great leader of the profession. He was a colossus in the media industry. We will miss him!”
Nigeria has lost a rare gem - Adegbite: To the secretary-general of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, NSCIA, Alhaji Lateef Adegbite, the nation has lost a rare and great national figure. Said he: “We have lost a great national figure in Alhaji Babatunde Jose. He represented all that is virtuous. He was a great Muslim that will be remembered for a very long while to come. Alhaji Jose was a towering figure in his chosen career of journalism. He mentored a great number of Nigerian journalists, many of whom are today occupying enviable positions in national life. Jose was a great patriot who contributed immensely to the development of the nation and I am convinced that history will judge him kindly. I am aware that he was honoured with an award but I will not hesitate to recommend him for a higher post-humous award for a man who made such a tremendous contributions to the nation’s life.”
Atiku and former journalists in the Senate and House of Representatives also mourned Jose, remembering him as one of the best role models for the profession. Former journalists in the National Assembly were Senators Chris Anyanwu (PDP, Imo East), Ayogu Eze (PDP, Enugu North), Anyim Ude (PDP, Ebonyi) and former NTA Newsline reporter and now member of the House of Representatives, Abike Dabiri. Atiku in a reaction articulated by his media consultant Mallam Garba Shehu eulogized Jose as an “an institution in journalism, politics and leadership in Islam,"saying he said lived an exemplary and fulfilled life.
Anyanwu, the former NTA Newsline anchor, said: “Jose lived a purposeful and fulfilled life. He left a mark in the practice of journalism. His journalism had a positive purpose- advancement of society. He will be missed.” Eze, a former journalist with The Guardian, said: “It is devastating. A great loss to Nigeria and the journalism profession. We will miss him. We wish his family well and pray God to grant his soul repose.” Ude, a former broadcast journalist with the Imo Broadcasting Service, said: “His name was unanimous with Daily Times and since he left Daily Times has never been the same again. It is unfortunate we are gradually losing some of the best of our founding fathers in journalism."
Dabiri said: “He lived a great legacy. He remains a role model not only to journalists but all young professionals. Integrity should always be our watchword and he was virtuous, disciplined and God fearing." Mr Sola Odunfa described Jose as a man blessed by God. Odunfa’s words: “He was a man blessed by God. From a humble beginning he grew into an Icon in Nigeria publishing industry. “He was revered by all. He nurtured a generation of journalists who attained the pinnacles in the profession across Nigeria. “It was a privilege to work under his tutelage. Above all, at his retirement, God gave him the grace to grow into old age and total devotion to His service. Nigeria and the profession of journalism have lost an irreplaceable giant.”
Senator Sikiru Shitta-Bey said Jose was “a great man, a gentleman and a very senior brother who dedicated his life to the service of Nigeria.” “He trained a lot of people who have become highly prominent now. And he was an achiever; a very very humble man. He contributed a lot to the growth and development of Nigeria. “The country will miss him a lot. We will miss him very seriously, “he added. 
 

BY KAMAL TAYO OROPO
Chief Olusegun Osoba,
FORMER governor of Ogun State and one time editor of Daily Times, Chief Segun Osabo was distraught on the passing away of his former boss.
He said: "Alhaji Jose was a leader of people who produced an array of highly successful journalists in this country, many of whom have also gone on to establish their own newspapers and subsequently produce many other journalists.
"I don't know of any newspaper in this country today, which does not have on its staff graduates of Babatunde Jose school of journalism - those who have gone through his tutelage. Alhaji Jose's colossal contribution to the development of Nigerian journalism is unprecedented and it is to his credit that most notable practitioners of the profession, yesterday and today, are products of his tutelage.
"Today, the history of Nigerian journalism would be incomplete without a worthy recognition to the footprints of Alhaji Jose, a man whose name is almost synonymous with journalism in Nigeria."
Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, former Lagos State governor and pioneer president of Nigeria Guild of Editors (then called Nigerian Guild of Newspapers Editors), has this to say on the man Babatunde Jose:
"Alhaji Babatunde Jose was a great man, very hardworking and very religious too. This was a man who spent most parts of his adult life building The Daily Times of Nigeria and setting an enviable standard for Nigerian journalism in general. He's a titan who would be greatly missed.
"There is no way of immortalizing him greater than the way he has succeeded in immortalizing himself. He has been immortalized in the history of Nigerian journalism and the development of the country long time before his eventual demise.
"He's going to be missed, not only by myself, but also by the entire nation, particularly journalists. The history of Nigerian journalism can never be written without a major chapter dedicated to him. He's Nigerian journalism. A titan that has earned for himself the collective respect of all."

Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) Onikan, Lagos, was a beehive of activities last Saturday as family, friends and associates of the late Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose, gathered in honour of the widely acclaimed doyen of journalism, writesIBRAHIM APEKHADE YUSUF

THE roll-call of personages who thronged the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, Lagos venue of the reception held in honour of the late Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose, last Saturday, truly lent credence to William Shakespeare’s assertion that "when poor people die, the comets are not seen but the heavens themselves blaze forth at the death of princes".
 
For the late Jose, who died four months shy of his 83rd birthday, the eighth-day Fidau held in his memory, was grand in every sense of the word.
 
The first hint that this was not a free-for-all owambe party was the tight security arrangement, with the ubiquitous presence of fierce-looking men and trained Alsatian dogs, manning the entrance of the venue.
 
Besides, the carnival-like look of the former National Assembly grounds, what with dome-shaped pavilions seating several thousands of guests with ushers literally waiting upon the guests serving cocktails, assorted food and drinks, soup snacks and barbecue, with a local band stand dishing out scintillating tunes from the repertoire of a popular Yoruba/Arabic crooner, gave the occasion a touch of class.
 
Added to this was the fact that many of the guests made fashion statements with what they wore, especially those who fanned out in the traditional aso ebi, a uniform attire selected for the occasion by family members and friends of the deceased.
 
But more than this, a general feeling of conviviality rented the air as family members of the deceased including his widow, Alhaja Azeezat; Jose (Jr.), son; Mrs Yosola Popoola, daughter, among others, warmed up to guests as they arrived for the reception.
 
Among the dignitaries at the reception were Aremo Olusegun Osoba, the former governor of Ogun State; Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the first executive governor of Lagos state, Prince Tony Momoh, one-time Information Minister and Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former Chairman of the Niger-Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and Abia governorship candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
 
Others include Alhaji Amzat G. Otiti, former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN); Chief Joseph Sanusi, former Governor of the CBN; Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Chairman, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA); Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, President, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN); Chief Ayo Opadokun, former Secretary, Afenifere, Dr. Wale Babalakin, Alhaji Idris Suleiman, former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN); Otunba Ahmed Jobi-Fele, Chairman, Jobitex Group of companies in company of his wife, Anike; Oba Samuel Adedoyin, the Owa Ale of Ikare, Akoko; and his wife, Olori Florence Professors Dayo Alao and Hakeem Danmole, Chief Mac-Alabi, veteran journalist; Mr. Dele Olojede, Pulitzer award-winning journalist; Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, President, Nigerian Guild of Editors; Alhaji Kola Animasaun, Editorial Board Member of the Vanguard and Hon. Joseph Jaiyeola Ajatta, member, House of Reps, Oshodi-Isolo, Tunde Olusunle, Chief Sinari Daranijo and Dayo Sobowale.
 
Also at the reception were former staff of the Daily Times of Nigeria, including Alhaji Alade Odunewu, former Editor-in-Chief of Daily Times; Dr. Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo, former Managing Director of DTN; Mr. Sola Odunda, former Editor Daily Times, and awarding-winning BBC correspondent; Mr. Gbolabo Ogunanwo, Sir. Odafe Othihiwa, former General Manager; Hon. Kunle Elegbede, former Commissioner for Information, Ogun state and former Editor, Sunday Times.

Given the assemblage of eminent personalities, most of whom had distinguished themselves in their chosen careers; it was almost certain that the venue would be a fertile ground for informed commentaries. but it turned out that there was an unwritten code that nobody should make public speeches.
 
The few who managed to spare a thought or two on the deceased, spoke of him in affectionate terms and superlative adjectives.
 
From Jakande to Ogunshola and Adefaye, their few commentaries were filled with plaudits and eulogies for a man they described as an icon of modern-day journalism.
 
And to many others who graced the occasion, it was their own way of saying "fare thee well" to a worthy role model who departs to a world far beyond their ken.

Several dignitaries thronged to the home of the late Jose, where they left their impressions of the late maestro. GBENGA SALAU captured a few:
Chief Tony Momoh : "It was in the time of Alhaji jose that we have this expansion in DAILY times. It is so big that it also led to diversification. For instance, from about three titles, it went to about 14 titles and he diversified into other areas like magazine division, printing division, packaging division, leisure services, selling all these records and even books. So, most importantly, was the training of journalists. He pioneered formal journalism training in Nigeria. Before we have these schools of journalism, Alhaji Jose established in-house training programme, which later became Times Newspaper Training Centre and later Times Journalism Institute. His proposition was ethics and professionalism. He really affected every aspect of journalism training. So, I do not know if we have any other person who has affected journalism practice in Nigeria than Jose and I should know.
He was a phenomenon, let other people struggle to be a phenomena. For instance, I have been struggling to be a phenomenon in my area of media research, but that is a little aspect of what Alhaji Jose did. He said hard work is 25 per cent and prayer is 75 percent, but you cannot differentiate between prayer and hard work on his own part because he was always working. There was no newspaper publication whose proof he did not read. Toiling morning, afternoon, evening, night, an incredible human being. I do not know who would have done that.
Chief Ajibola Ogunshola, President Newspapers Proprietor's Association of Nigeria. Our sage, our father is gone! The shining profile of the Nigerian press becomes a little less brilliant without Alhaji Jose. From being a tower that was defiled by military imperialists, he emerged a living monument. We almost forgot that this morning would come when he would no longer be around. We will remember him, and our own successors will always remember him.
Chief Molade Okoya Thomas: May your soul rest in perfect peace
Senator Sikiru Shitta Bey: A very senior brother who has dedicated his life specifically to media and to Lagos State. I will totally miss him a lot; those of us who are brothers, we will miss him greatly. His contribution to the media was giant; he attained a lot; he trained a lot who have become prominent now and he is a very humble man and he has contributed a lot to the growth and development of Nigeria.
Babatunde Onigbanjo: A worthy religious leader and nation builder. May your soul rest in the perfect bosom of the Almighty Allah.
Tunde Bank-Anthony: My great uncle, you lived well, influenced a lot with your strict moral beliefs in the ways of Islam. You will be missed dearly.
Sogunle Abayomi: We have lost the brightest mind in journalism. May Allah grant his soul eternal repose.
Gbolabo Ogunsanwo
Erin Wo! Without question, Alhaji Dr. Ismail Babatunde Jose was incontestably founder of Modern Nigerian Journalism. He was a man of legendary proportions. He was a pathfinder sui generis who founded the "Brave New World" of modern Nigerian Journalism.
He was largely a self-taught, self-motivated and self-made man - a man who was in a class all by himself.
He was the singular catalyst that transformed the largely anti-colonial Nigerian Press into the modern instrument that now provides a market place of ideas about governance, national objectives, focus and direction, social as well as an enduring broker between business communities and their various markets.
By translating the Daily Times group from a two-titled newspaper (Daily Times & Sunday Times) into an Octopodal publishing empire with up to 22 titles at its peak and with investment in properties and the stock market, Alhaji Jose stood head and shoulders above all his peers. He inspired the only newspaper that has sold a record 1,000,000 copies in Africa - the old Sunday Times.
He was, to borrow from Wole Soyinka the "one tree that made a forest". The entire Nigerian Press standing in awe of him stand bereaved and orphaned.
He made the Daily Times group a major national and international institution and through this, his office became a hallowed chamber for almost everybody who sought to become somebody in the Nigerian political firmament. He himself became a powerful, power-broker extraordinaire, feared, respected and waited upon by generations of state governors, Federal Ministers, Foreign Ambassadors and received with courtesy by Kings, Prime Ministers, Presidents and World leaders including the Pope in the Vatican and the Dalai Lama.
Though himself was not a University graduate, he single-handedly created the template of graduate journalists on which every Nigerian newspaper is now built.
As a newspaper manager, he was a "hands on" no-nonsense, unsentimental manager of men whose favourite management credo was: "You cannot manage a newspaper office with a plebiscitarian democracy."
His professional children at home and abroad are innumerable. Without question, everybody in the Nigerian press today is either a professional son or grandson or great grandson or daughter of Babatunde Jose.
As towering as his stature was, he would humour those of us, honoured to be his first borns when introducing us as "my colleagues". Though he was a pious and devoted Muslim leader, he was nevertheless not a religious bigot. With friends across tribal and generational boundaries, Alhaji Jose had an intimidating and uncommon social and professional network that no Nigerian journalist in living memory has attempted to equal and onewhich I personally think is absolutely impossible for any other person to equal.
There can only be one person who always signed himself Baba Jose and he is now gone. The curtain has been drawn and an era is ended.
Dr. Jide Oluwajuyitan
Ah! Really! I didn't hear! What a great loss. Even though he was not a graduate, he encouraged graduates into the profession. He embarked on scholarship for the staff of the Daily Times to upgrade their skill. I'm a beneficiary. I used Daily Times training facility to go to the University of Ife to study Political Science. He was a large-hearted man. He loved the profession so well.
Onukaba Adinoyi-Ojo
He was a great man, a very great journalist. I felt privileged to have been opportune to step into his shoes, even though, they were over-size. The shoes were over size in the sense that he was great in vision and accomplishment. The kind of things he did, the vision were unparalleled. I took over in 1999, he was one of the people I went to for guidance; he was generous with time. He treated me like son.
He was also excited and wrote a letter to former president Obasanjo when I succeeded in pulling Daily Times out of Federal Government's grip.
I wrote a memo to Obasanjo that Daily Times be taken away from the supervision of Information Ministry and be given to NICON Insurance to manage and supervise; and the president approved it, so, Alhaji Jose was very happy that we were able to do that.
His vision has always been that Daily Times should be a thriving private enterprise, not government owned medium.
He wrote a letter to president commending him because it was during Obasanjo that the company was taking over and it was the same Obasanjo that, more than 20 years later, facilitated the process of letting it go.
I do not think that Alhaji Jose, at the end, was happy with the fate of a privitised Daily Times. He was not happy over it. All the titles have disappeared from the newsstand. The new owner have not been able to bring them back. Anybody who knew the place Daily Times occupied in the heart of Babatunde Jose wouldn't find it hard to speculate that he was not happy about the fate of Daily Times. Otherwise, he lived a fulfilled life.
Mac Adetoyi Alabi
It is unfortunate. It is a sad loss to we, Alhaji Jose's associates and colleagues. We were expecting that some days God would grant our prayers that he will get better. But as it pleases God to get him away to rest in his bosom hands, we give thanks to Allah.
Jose tried his best for the Daily Times, no human being would have done better. We all suffered as a result of the collapse of the newspaper, in which all of us, shareholders, put our stake, only to dash our hopes. While we were serving the Daily Times, Alhaji Jose encouraged almost every staff to buy shares in the Daily Times, so that we can all be owners of the paper after retirement.
He was the one that brought me from The Tribune in 1960 to Daily Times. He lodged at the Catering Guest House, Jericho, Ibadan as Daily Times editor, there he interviewed me for the post of a sub-Editor, after the interview, he offered me an appointment.
Prof. Idowu Sobowale
His death is the end of a great era in journalism history in Nigeria. His type would be difficult to find. Not a graduate, but he was sounder than many professors. He encouraged intellectualism in Nigeria journalism practice. Those of us who had the fortune of passing through him would forever appreciate his contribution to our individual growth and development as well as the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria. He would be badly missed.
Jakande, Osoba Speak Of 'Great Leader Of Men'

Jose: Good night to the Newspaperman
“HE was a journalism icon and a Titan”. “He was a newspaperman”. “He was the doyen of Nigerian journalism”. “He was a tree that made a forest in journalism”. Those were some of the superlatives in which the late Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose, who exited life’s stage on Saturday, 2 August, 2008, was described by sympathisers who thronged his residence.
ALHAJI Jose conquered Nigerian journalism with his brilliance. By the time he left active journalism in 1976, he had left indelible marks. His footprints in journalism in the country were very bold. His contributions to media practice were so great that the story of journalism in the country in the last century cannot be complete without him occupying a good space.
THE newspaperman, who started as a technical trainee in the Daily Times in 1941, ended up not only editing the paper, he was also calling the shots as the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief. In fact, he improved the fortunes of the company remarkably and revolutionalised its operations.
WHEN his father could no longer cope with the financial demands of his secondary education, young Babatunde had to drop out of school. He started journalism at a very young age but ended up as a giant. On the completion of his technical training at the Daily Times in 1946, young Babatunde requested to be given employement as a journalist. But while the editor of the Daily Times then, Mr. Ayodele Lijadu, knew and appreciated his worth, his colleagues in the management did not. And so, his application for a job was turned down. But young Babatunde did not leave the company empty-handed. He was given a testimonial by Mr. Lijadu with which he armed himself for the battle ahead.
A portion of the testimonial reads: “This is to certify that I have known Ismail Babatunde Jose for over five years during which period, I always found him a hardworking, obedient and aspiring young man. His industry and ambition have been most exemplary and inspiring and have marked him out as a young man who ought to go far in life.”
ARMED with this very impressive testimonial, Jose walked into the Daily Comet, also in Lagos, and applied for a job as a proof reader. His application was favourably considered and that was the beginning of his journey into professional journalism. He was then under the tutelage of Sam Williams, M.C.K. Ajuluchukwu and Tony Enahoro.
WHILE at the Comet, he got involved in the politics of pre-Independence Nigeria as a member of the National Council of Nigeria and Cameroun. Through this, he became a public speaker, making fiery speeches at public rallies and taking part in demonstrations against colonialism.
HIS father took serious exception to his political activism because of his belief that he was too young to dabble in politics. The father insisted he should end his political involvement and Jose had to give in to his father’s wish. Consequently, he left the Comet and found his way back to the Daily Times, where he started as a stringer and within a short time, he was given a regular job as a reporter.
IN record time, he rose to become an assistant editor and by 1957, the responsibility of editing the Daily Times had fallen on him. Because of his hard work and vision for the newspaper, he was appointed Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief in 1962.
ON his assumption of office as the Managing Director, the British overseer of the paper appointed an adviser to oversee the affairs of the company. Alhaji Jose as the managing director took a strong exception to the decision which he felt was taken to undermine his authority. Courageously and politely, he told the overseer that he did not want to be a king who could not rule his kingdom. The British overseer granted his request and the young managing director proved his mettle.
THE growth and development of the company under Alhaji Jose was unprecedented. He transformed and revolutionalised the company and it became the envy of other media houses in the country. Whereas the company was publishing only three titles on his assumption of office, by the time he was leaving the company in 1976, it had become a conglomerate with 15 titles in its stable. The Sunday Times’ circulation was put at about 500,000 copies.
IN order to improve the standard and quality of the papers, Alhaji Jose established an in-house training programme. This was later transformed into the Newspaper Training Centre which later metamorphosed into the Times Journalism Institute which served as the training ground for thousands of journalists across the country.
APART from journalism, Alhaji Jose’s exploits in his Islamic faith also marked him out. He was the president of Anwar-Ul-Islam Movement of Nigeria for several years. He also led the Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam of Nigeria for years. He went on holy pilgrimage in
1955, and on his return, he wrote a book Towards Mount Arafat. This is in addition to his account of his activities at the Daily Times which he entitled: Walking A Tight Rope: Power Play in the Daily Times.
Goodnight, quitessential journalist; the tree that made a forest.

THE BABATUNDE JOSE LECTURE
Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose is the most respected journalist in Nigeria. He was born on December 13, 1925 in Lagos. He didn’t have the opportunity of tertiary education as his educational exploits ended at the Yaba Methodist School and St. Saviour’s High School, Lagos. But what this legend of Nigerian journalism missed in the colleges, he made up for with his exceptional and intimidating successes, which were won “through hard grind” as a student of the “university of life”.Although his educational profile is miles behind his enormous achievements in his journalistic carreer, Alhaji Jose’s colossal contributions to the development of Nigerian journalism are unprecedented and it is to his credit that most notable practitioners of the profession, yesterday and today, are products of his tutelage.
Today, the history of Nigerian journalism would be incomplete without a worthy recognition to the foot prints of the man who has been deservedly named The Doyen of Nigerian Journalism; father of modern day journalism or simply Mr. Nigerian Journalism.
Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose’s life is journalism and journalism is his life. He employed hard work and self development as tools to achieve mind-blowing success at The Daily Times Group. He had joined the group as a technical trainee in 1941 at the age of sixteen. Through hard work and unwavering dedication to journalism, he rose through the ranks to become reporter and later news editor in 1957. By 1962, he had reached the peak, when he was appointed Managing Director, Chairman/Chief Executive, a position he held till 1976.
It won’t be out of point to assert that from the evolution of journalism in Nigeria of old till modern day practice of the profession, no Nigerian, living or dead, has dedicated his entire life and career to the development and practice of the profession more than Alhaji (Dr.) Ismail Babatunde Jose. It is in recognition of his contributions to the development of journalism that he is being honoured with an annual lecture.
The Annual Ismail Babatunde Jose Lecture On the media and the society will be delivered by eminent journalism scholars and professionals sourced from around the world. The topic shall always examine the role and performance of the media in the coverage of events, issues and the society. The event, which will attract top media players both serving and retired, as well as people in all other works of life, shall be hosted annually as the curtain raiser of the Nigeria Media Expo

We’ll miss him, but life continues – Jose’s wife
Tunde Odesola, Mudiaga Affe, Olalekan Adetayo and Sebastine Ebhuomhan   
  He was a good and God-fearing man, a loving husband and a very good father. I will miss his love and kindness. However, life has to continue no matter what happened,” Those were the words of Alhaja Azeezat Jose, wife of the late Babatunde Jose, doyen of Nigerian journalism, who died in Lagos on Saturday. The widow, who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos on Sunday, amid a crowd of sympathisers who had come to pay their last respects to her husband, said that Jose had been battling with an undisclosed ailment in the last one year. She said her husband’s situation deteriorated on Friday shortly before he died. She said, “He was sick for roughly one year, but the actual illness that led to his death lasted for two days. He died of sickness related to that of old people.” Prominent Nigerians who had earlier visited the family home of the Joses included the Nigerian Guild of Editors, led by its President, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye; Mr. Alade Odunewu, Mr. Lade Bonuola and Mr. Sunmi Smart-Cole. Others were the doyen of the accounting profession, Mr. Akintola Williams; Secretary-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs, Dr. Abdulateef Adegbite; President of the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Oba Otudeko, among others. According to Williams, Jose was a journalist, who was dedicated to his profession and displayed the highest ethics while he was active. He said that Jose was a man who was liked and loved by everyone who came in close contact with him while he was alive. He recalled how Jose, himself and some 28 others formed what was known as Committee of Concerned Citizens, a committee that enlightened Nigerians on the issue of Sharia laws, adding that Jose contributed to the success of the committee. He said, “Jose was a man liked and loved by all who came across him. He was a dedicated member of the Committee of Concerned Citizens, set up by some thirty people to ensure that we all understood what was involved in Sharia law. He was a journalist of no mean order.” Also, Adegbite noted on the condolence register that the country had lost a great and illustrious nationalist who served in many fronts, adding that he was a dedicated and impeccable personality. He said, “We have lost a great national figure who served the country on so many fronts with dedicated and impeccable personal integrity. A foremost journalist and an exemplary Muslim leader. We shall miss him greatly.” The President of NSE said that Jose’s qualities and attributes were worthy of emulation. Otudeko said, “Jose’s life was exemplary. His discipline, professionalism, business and piety, all ring of remarkable values worthy of emulation.” Meanwhile, the NGE has also condoled with the family of the late foremost journalist. It said in a statement by its President, Adefaye, on Sunday, that, “Without doubt, the guild, like the entire Nigerian media, will miss the exemplary leadership and direction that Jose provided for the Nigerian press. “The guild acknowledges that many of the leading lights of the journalism profession today either passed through Jose or were directly influenced by him. “As a newspaper editor, media manager, Chairman of the Daily Times Group and an elder statesman, Jose exemplified the dreams and possibilities of every journalist. “It is our belief that every Nigerian journalist and the institution of journalism in Nigeria will continue to be guided by the values and philosophies neatly laid down by Jose.” Also, the Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Segun Oni, described the death of Jose as an irreparable loss to the journalism profession, saying the late highly respected pen pusher will be missed by all. Oni, who reacted to the death of Jose through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Mr. Moses Jolayemi, described the late Jose as someone who gave his all to the journalism profession and played a pivotal role in giving the profession a sound footing in Nigeria. The Convener, United Action for Democracy, Abiodun Aremu, in a telephone conversation with our correspondent described Jose as a father figure of Nigerian journalism. First son of Jose, Mr. Babatunde, said the family would feel the loss of their father. Speaking to the media, Babatunde said the family members were still mourning the demise of their father even though he died at an age considered to be ripe. Similarly, the Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, described the death of Jose as a monumental loss to journalism and Nigeria. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Oyinlola, Mr. Lasisi Olagunju, on Sunday, said Jose “was a rare breed Nigerian” who offered selfless service to the country during an untainted career that spanned many decades. SimBabatunde, who bears same name with his father said, “We will miss our father. He was very good to all of us. We will miss him dearly because when he was alive he was very closed to every one of us. He was always interested in seeing to our progress.” Since his death, groups such as the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria and the Guild of Editors have paid him glowing tributes for his gargantuan contribution to journalism in Nigeria. Until his death, Jose had been quite ill for sometime. In spite of an intense observation of his health by the media, he had seemingly recovered to raise hope of more years of contribution to the nation’s journalism. A Muslim leader of repute, Jose was the first Nigerian to chair in 1962 the board of Daily Times, Nigeria’s oldest surviving newspaper. In recognition of his contributions, he was honoured with an annual lecture, the Ismail Babatunde Jose Lecture for media and society development. Jose, an author, bagged many other honours in his life time, including the award: Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic in 1965 and the Pope Pius Medal for promoting religious understanding in Nigeria in 1973. He also bagged a honorary Doctor of Letters by the University of Benin in 1978.