Veteran journalists' league disowns Ibadan lecture, calls organisers 'phantom'
- The League of Veteran Journalists in Oyo State says it is not behind a lecture slated for 26 October in Ibadan.
- Its chairman, Banji Ogundele, said the event is promoted by an unknown group, the Veteran Journalists' Association of Nigeria.
- The league, formed in 1988, says it is the only body of veteran journalists in the state.
The League of Veteran Journalists in Oyo State has distanced itself from a lecture scheduled for Monday, 26 October 2026 at the Millennium Hall, NUJ Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan.
In a statement signed by its chairman, Banji Ogundele, the league said the event is being promoted under the name "Veteran Journalists' Association of Nigeria", a group it described as a phantom organisation.
The league said it was speaking out to stop members of the public from being misled, and to protect the reputation of the journalism profession.
One body since 1988
According to the statement, there is only one body of veteran journalists in Oyo State. It was established in 1988 and is called the League of Veteran Journalists.
The league said its members are journalists and media practitioners who have spent at least 25 years in service. It listed its aims as protecting press freedom, upholding the profession's code of ethics, encouraging public discussion of issues, and defending members' welfare.
Among the journalists the league named as members are Olusegun Osoba, Felix Adenaike, Bamiji Ojo, Layi Agbaje, Tunde Akingbade, Agboola Sanni, Jare Ajayi, Bose Oyewole, Oladele Idris, Biodun Oduwole, Lanre Ogundipe, Shade Haastrup and Bolaji Kareem.
The two reports differ on one name on that list. The Independent named Kola Animasaun as a member, while The Sun described him as late. The league's statement as published did not settle the difference.
The league did not say who is behind the 26 October lecture, and it did not name any individual as responsible for the group it called phantom.
What happens next
The lecture is still listed for Monday, 26 October at the NUJ Press Centre in Iyaganku. Journalists and members of the public who plan to attend now have the league's word that the organisers are not its own.
For everyday Nigerians, the dispute is a reminder to check who is behind a public event before paying to attend or relying on what is said there. The league has asked the public to treat its name and that of the other group as separate.
