There are journalists, and then there are journalists who become institutions. Sufuyan Ojeifo unarguably belongs unmistakably to the latter.
As he turns 60, my mind journeys back to the early 1990s in the ancient city of Benin, where our paths first crossed. He was the The Punch correspondent; I was with the old Daily Times of Nigeria Plc. We were young, ambitious, and driven by an unquenchable passion for journalism. Those were the days when the newsroom was our second home, deadlines were sacred, and every byline was earned through diligence, sacrifice, and courage.
Even in those early days, Sufuyan stood apart.
While many of us embraced the social life that often accompanied the profession, he chose a different path. He neither drank alcohol nor chased after women. Whenever we went out together, his order was almost always the same—food and water. His discipline was never contrived; it flowed naturally from a life rooted in faith, conviction, and contentment. More than three decades later, little has changed. He remains deeply religious, principled, and unwavering—a refreshing reminder that values can endure in a world where they are too often traded for convenience and fleeting rewards.
Life eventually took us in different directions, but destiny had another reunion in store. Years later in Abuja, we met again. He was covering the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Senate for Vanguard, while I was reporting the same beat for Daily Times. The years melted away instantly. It was a friendship renewed without effort, proving that genuine relationships never grow old.
Fondly called “OJ Wonder” by colleagues and admirers, Sufuyan is journalism in its purest expression. He does not merely practise the profession; he lives it. From Champion Newspapers in Akure to The Punch in Benin, from Bureau Chief of Vanguard in Abuja to Political Editor of THISDAY, from serving as Media Adviser to the Minister of Budget and National Planning to founding and publishing THE CONCLAVE his career has been a remarkable testimony to excellence, resilience, professionalism, and intellectual depth.
His writing has always borne a distinctive signature—clear, elegant, incisive, and persuasive. His pen does not merely report events; it interrogates power, provokes reflection, and enriches public discourse. A voracious reader with the rare advantage of training in both Mass Communication and Law, he possesses an intellectual depth that radiates through every article he writes. The academic brilliance he displayed at Auchi Polytechnic, Ogun State Polytechnic, and the University of Abuja has found enduring expression throughout his distinguished career.
Yet beyond the celebrated journalist stands an even greater human being.
Sufuyan is humble without pretence, confident without arrogance, accomplished without craving applause. He speaks sparingly, listens attentively, and achieves quietly. In an age where noise is too often mistaken for influence, he reminds us that substance still commands respect.
At 60, his greatest legacy is not merely the countless stories he has written or the headlines he has shaped. It is the lives he has inspired, the professional standards he has upheld, and the integrity he has refused to compromise. His life teaches every young journalist that while talent may open doors, character is what keeps them open.
My dear brother and friend, thank you for remaining true to yourself through the years. Thank you for demonstrating that one can attain the highest heights of journalism without surrendering one’s principles. Your journey affirms that success built on integrity is the most enduring success of all.
As you celebrate this Diamond Jubilee, I pray that Almighty God grants you robust health, abiding peace, renewed strength, fresh inspiration, and many more years of meaningful service to journalism, to our nation, and to humanity.
Happy 60th Birthday, OJ Wonder.
Your story is still unfolding, and I am convinced that its finest chapters are yet to be written.
(C) Paul Mumeh
