Family, friends mourn as Edward Akinbiyi is laid to rest
EDWARD Olajide Akinbiyi till his last months on Earth harboured a deep personal pride that his own life’s tapestry was closely intertwined with the origins of broadcast media in Nigeria. From his days as a pioneer staff of Western Nigeria Television ( WNTV), the first television station in Africa established by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, first Premier of Western Nigeria, to the days he served as Governor Lateef Kayode Jakande’s Director of Publicity, he practiced his craft with a devotion that was only rivaled by his love for family. Born on August 29th, 1933 to Chief Daniel Odetayo Akinbiyi ( who later reigned as the 36tholubadan of Ibadan) and Comfort Olajumoke Akinbiyi.
Following the Western Region’s political crisis, Akinbiyi transferred his service to the Nigerian Television Service ( NTA). Uncle Jide, as he was fondly called, would go on to serve the NTA as the creator and pioneer editor of the NTA network news.
As the NTA increasingly became pro- establishment, Akinbiyi yearned for new turf that would permit him to professionally unfold without the constraints of a work environment dominated by orchestrated intrigues.
In the months leading to the 1979 general elections, Akinbiyi had indicated to then gubernatorial candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria, Lateef Jakande, that the publicity power of the Tribune was being sub optimally deployed for the UPN’S political benefit. Thus, Akinbiyi’s suggestions frequently came to be used in the LKJ campaign. Many years earlier, Olajide left an indelible impression on Jakande. Incidentally, Olajide predeceased his boss by two days. Resolved not to use the already existing Channel 5, which was an NTA television station formed by the Federal Government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari for Lagos State, Alhaji Jakande quite early in the life of his Administration, charged Olajide with establishing a television and radio station for Lagos State. Consequently, Lagos Television, LTV8 and Radio Lagos were established under the umbrella of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation, which reported to the Director of Publicity and Information in the Governor’s Office. As the Director of Publicity, he constantly made it known to his subordinate colleagues that “I do not carry passengers”.
Assignments beyond his core remit of publicity and information were regularly handed to Olajide by Governor Jakande. The Lagos State Education Endowment Fund and State Tenders Board were some of non- core assignments he undertook for the Jakande Administration. In recognition and reward of his sterling service to Lagos State, Olajide Akinbiyi was elevated to the rank of Permanent Secretary in December 1984 by Governor Jakande.