Mr Ray Ekpu. Photo by Ayodele Efunla

Mr and Mrs Ray Ekpu (third and fourth left) with co founders of Newswatch Magazine (from left, Soji Akinrinade, Dan Agbese and extreme right, Yakubu Mohammed

Chief Olusegun Osoba

Dr Emmanuel Ekuwem, Secretary to the State Government,Akwa Ibom

Chief Tola Adeniyi,Chief Segun Osoba,Mr Sam Amuka, Mr and Mrs Ekpu; Mr Victor Attah(1)

Professor Kingsley Moghalu

Rt Hon Dubemi Onyia, fmr Minister of State Foreign Affairs(1)

Mrs Edikan Ray Osho, daughter of Mr Ray Ekpu

Mrs Elu Ray Mbakwe, daughter of Mr Ray Ekpu

Funmilola Olukomaiya/Photos by Ayodele Efunla

Veteran journalist and co-founder of Newswatch Magazine, Mr Ray Ekpu, turned 70 on Monday, 6th August 2018. Friends, professional colleagues and other well wishers gathered for his birthday colloquium with the theme: ‘Nigeria: The Leadership Question’.

Ace broadcaster, Bisi Olatilo was the Master of Ceremony at the colloquium which held at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Center, Onikan, Lagos.

Former Minister of External Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, chaired the event while Dr Chidi Amuta was the guest lecturer. Mr Dan Agbese moderated the colloquium. Ms Yemi Adamolekun, Mr Debo Adesina and Mr Sam Omatseye, Ms Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji and Mr Seun Okinbaloye were discussants at the event.

The event saw in attendance the creme de la creme of the society some of which include Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State(represented by the Commissioner for Information); Chief Olusegun Osoba, former governor of Ogun State; Mr Kingsley Moghalu, former deputy CBN governor; Mrs Modele Sharafa-Yusuf; Prof Pat Utomi; Chief Dubem Onyia; Mr Nsima Udo Ekere, Managing Director, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and others. Ray Ekpu, on Aug. 6 also marked his 45 years in service as a journalist and an administrator.

Also present at the event were his wife, Mrs Uyai Ekpu and his children, Elu, Edikan and Mfonison Ekpu.

-All photos by Ayodele Efunla