A former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has been appointed as the chairman of the Governing Council, Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ).

The appointment followed after the demise of its late chairman, Alhaji Ismaila Isa.

Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, who confirmed the appointment on Wednesday, described it as a true call to service, saying it is as “fitting as fixing a round peg in a round hole.”

Osoba, according to Abiodun, spent his most productive years as a respected member of the fourth estate of the realm, establishing a reputation for diligent and responsible journalism.

“Even when not in active practice, he still sees himself, first as a reporter before anything else and keeps mentoring younger professionals. Yes, he has been a decorated administrator, statesman and boardroom guru, but journalism remains his primary constituency and flows in his blood stream”, the governor said.

He added that: “It is a tribute to the undying reportorial excellence and acknowledgement of his prowess that Chief Osoba was unanimously adopted by a council peopled by the best and brightest across all sections of the media.”

Gov. Abiodun, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, thanked the Publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuka and his ThisDay counterpart, Prince Nduka Obaigbena for their support and solidarity for the new NIJ Council Chairman, saying, “Baba Osoba will see this as a true call to service”.

Aremo Osoba has Mr Ray Ekpu, another outstanding journalist, as his deputy.

Osoba is returning to the NIJ Governing Council chair he occupied 30 years ago.

He is a first class reporter who had many scoops and exclusive investigative reports to his credit.

He was also a well-known media manager before his foray in politics.