Babafemi Ojudu
On Friday, May 9th, friends, family, allies, colleagues, and compatriots will gather in the historic town of Okemesi to celebrate Dare Babarinsa—a distinguished journalist, author, public intellectual, and custodian of history—as he marks his 70th year on earth.
Just days ago, Lagos witnessed an impressive convergence of the nation’s media elite at the launch of his latest book, Eat Now, Pay Later, underscoring his continued relevance and enduring influence in Nigeria’s intellectual and journalistic landscape.
In preparation for this milestone, Dare made it clear that he wished to celebrate his birthday in Okemesi, the town of his birth. Though he has spent much of his adult life in Lagos, he holds firmly to the belief that accomplished sons and daughters of Ekiti should return home to celebrate life among their people—not merely to be brought back in death for burial. “It is our aliveness that can inspire a new generation of leaders, not our waste,” he reflected. It is a poignant statement, challenging a cultural norm and urging a reconnection between personal achievement and communal uplift.
Dare Babarinsa is a genial yet formidable thinker whose lifelong engagement with public discourse has helped shape national consciousness. With a distinctive gift for historical contextualization, he consistently casts contemporary issues against the backdrop of history, offering clarity where confusion reigns. His writings—whether in columns, essays, or books—reflect a rare mastery of narrative, deep insight, and a steadfast commitment to truth.
As a journalist, he earned his stripes in turbulent times. In the 1980s, he was on the frontlines during the 1983 electoral crisis that engulfed the old Ondo State—an episode he revisits with gripping detail in his book House of War. In the dark years of military rule through the 1990s, he stood tall among the fearless men and women of the pen who defied tyranny and helped push Nigeria back onto the democratic path.
Even in retirement, Babarinsa remains intellectually vibrant. He continues to write prolifically, publish journals, and educate a growing online audience on the neglected and often forgotten histories of Nigeria—histories indispensable to any meaningful national rebirth. His social media presence is not mere commentary; it is a classroom of conscience and a living archive of memory and reflection.
As an activist, Dare is not a sloganeer. His interventions are never rash or rhetorical. He is deep and reflective—a thinker whose perspectives arrive unique and refreshing, like newly tapped palm wine: sweet, subtle, and layered with wisdom.
Beyond journalism, he is a steadfast advocate of the Yoruba cause. A prominent voice in Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Babarinsa was also a founding member of Idile, a platform created by a generation of Yoruba intellectuals and young achievers committed to regional development and cultural renaissance.
As we gather to honour this remarkable son of Africa on his birthday, it is not just a celebration of a life well-lived, but also a call to reflection. The Yoruba nation today finds itself in a state of troubling decline. This moment should stir in us a collective introspection and a renewed commitment to rebuilding what was once a beacon of vision, excellence, and enterprise.
May Dare Babarinsa’s life and work continue to inspire a renaissance of purpose, unity, and vision in Yorubaland and beyond.