By Charles Okoh
To attain the age of 70 in Nigeria at a time when the life expectancy of Nigerians is about 55 years is worth celebrating. To attain the Biblical three score and ten, in a country where the stress levels seem permanently on the increase and other attendant stressors seemed arrayed to snuff out life from the people is more than enough reason to celebrate and give thanks to God Almighty.
It is not often that people get celebrated while alive. It was the famous Nigerian musical icon Patoranking who insists that he is celebrated in his hit song in local lingo; “Celebrate me, now when I dey alive…”
For veteran journalist and celebrated newspaper columnist, Ayo Oyoze Baje, who turned 70 years on Wednesday, February 8, it was an opportunity to celebrate a journalist who has remained undeterred and undaunted in his resolve to constantly lend his voice to the voiceless.
