Eighteen years ago, I led members of the Oyo State chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on a professional tour of Ghana.
One unforgettable highlight of that 2008 tour was our meeting with the former President of Ghana, Flt. Lt. Jerry John Rawlings. The expressions on the faces of OYO NUJ members as they interacted with Rawlings told a powerful story—one of awe, pride, and professional fulfilment.
To God be the glory.
As Chairman of NUJ, Oyo State (2005–2009), the Lord of Hosts shepherded me not only in repositioning the Iyaganku Press Centre, but also in contributing meaningfully to the professional and capacity development of our members.
One achievement that remains evergreen in our collective memory is the Ghana Professional Tour of 2008, during which 12 journalists from Oyo State undertook a study visit to Ghana. Remarkably, the former President, Flt. Lt. Jerry Rawlings, was not only gracious to us but also hosted the delegation for four days.
For many of the participants, the journey marked a historic first—their first Nigerian international passport and their first experience travelling beyond Nigeria’s borders. It was not merely a trip; it was exposure in its purest form.
Participants on the tour included:
- Wale Ojo-Lanre
- Mr. Bola Ogunlayi (then of BSES Ekiti)
- Mr. Adenrele Ajisefini, now General Manager, Amuludun FM (FRCN), Moniya, Ibadan
- Seye Ojo, The Sun Newspapers
- Segun Olawale, Ace NTA Reporter
- Mrs. Ronke Fajemirokun, BCOS, Oyo State
- Mr. Lawal, Oyo State Ministry of Information
- Remi Oladoye, then an IIJ student, now Editor-in-Chief, Alárìnká Àgbáyé
- Wale Olapade, then an IT student with Nigerian Tribune, now a Senior Reporter
- Wole Efunuga, Nigerian Tribune
- Bisi Oladele, Oyo State Correspondent, The Nation Newspapers
It is important to place on record that the trip was not funded by NUJ Oyo State, nor from the union’s purse. Rather, it was made possible through my personal relationship with Hon. Folake Olunloyo, who chose to show gratitude for the support I rendered as a friend in helping to actualise her dream of becoming a functional member of the House of Representatives.
In retrospect, that Ghana tour was far more than a professional excursion. It was a lesson in leadership through exposure, in the quiet power of opening doors and expanding horizons. Watching colleagues acquire their first passports, cross borders for the first time, and engage directly with a former African President reinforced a conviction I have carried ever since: that exposure builds confidence, and confidence builds institutions.
That experience also planted a deeper understanding—that tourism, culture, and professional exchange are not luxuries, but strategic tools for national development, diplomacy, and human capital growth. When people see more of the world, they return better equipped to serve their society.
Today, as I continue to advocate for tourism development, cultural diplomacy, and capacity building on a broader scale, I see a clear and unbroken line connecting that 2008 moment in Ghana to the work I still do. The faces in that photograph remain a reminder that leadership is most meaningful when it creates pathways for others—often quietly, without fanfare, and without expectation of applause.
History is not always written in headlines.
Sometimes, it is written in opportunities given, borders crossed, and lives expanded.
May the soul of Mrs Fajemirokun Rest In Peace.
*Ojo Lanre Esq is the Director General Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development
