The Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief of RazorNews Group, Mr. Odita Sunday, has honoured his former boss and mentor, Ambassador Debo Adesina, describing him as a “Journalism Cicero” a man of profound intellect, discipline, and compassion whose legacy continues to shape Nigerian journalism.
The emotional recognition ceremony, held in Lagos, saw Odita Sunday, accompanied by Mr. Hyacinth Nwafor, Chief Executive Officer of HybridNewsNG Global Digital Media Ltd and Managing Director of Belch Digital Communications, publishers of Hybrid News, present a beautifully crafted plaque to the former Nigerian Ambassador to Togo in appreciation of his exceptional mentorship, visionary leadership, and lasting impact on generations of journalists.
Odita, who began his journalism career under Ambassador Adesina at The Guardian Newspapers, described the veteran media leader as “a brilliant and humane professional who combined intellect with integrity.”
“Ambassador Adesina remains one of the finest journalists Nigeria has ever produced, an editor, mentor, and statesman whose contributions to the media landscape are indelible,” Odita stated.
Ambassador Debo Adesina is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished journalists and media managers in Nigeria’s history. Before his foray into public service, he served as Editor-in-Chief and Chief Operating Officer of The Guardian, Nigeria’s most influential newspaper group, where he led the publication to unprecedented editorial and commercial success.
Under his leadership, The Guardian won multiple Newspaper of the Year Awards from both the Nigerian Media Merit Award Foundation (NMMA) and the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) including the rare Newspaper of the Decade distinction in both 2001 and 2011.
During his tenure, The Guardian also produced several winners of the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards, cementing its place as a hub for excellence and innovation in African journalism.
Adesina himself received the Editor of the Year Award a record seven times and was once named among the Outstanding Young Persons of the Year. His career also earned him a seat on the Board of Judges for the CNN African Journalist of the Year Awards.
In 2021, Adesina was appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Togo, where he championed economic diplomacy and regional cooperation. Upon assuming duty, he unveiled a vision titled “Building Prosperity on Both Sides,” aimed at strengthening trade, political ties, and shared development between Nigeria and Togo.
His pan-Africanist philosophy earned him recognition across diplomatic circles. Adesina often reiterated that “African borders should not be barriers to progress but bridges of opportunity.”
During his tenure, he established the Nigeria–Togo Business Council and the Nigeria–Togo Ideas Forum, initiatives that fostered collaboration between business leaders, policymakers, and academics across both nations.
A graduate of the University of Lagos, Adesina also studied at the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA. In 2007, he was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in Davos, joining a select group of international visionaries driving change across industries.
He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, a member of the World Editors’ Forum, and a respected voice in international media and governance circles.
The presentation event in Lagos was filled with nostalgia and mutual admiration as both men reflected on their shared journey in journalism from newsroom deadlines to the evolution of Nigeria’s media space.
Odita noted that the plaque presented was more than a token; it symbolized gratitude, mentorship, and a celebration of journalistic excellence.
“Ambassador Adesina’s leadership shaped my understanding of what it means to be a journalist to seek truth, uphold integrity, and inspire others through the power of words,” he said.
RazorNews Group is a fast-growing digital news platform dedicated to credible, ethical, and development-driven journalism. The organisation continues to highlight impactful stories, nurture journalistic talent, and promote excellence in Nigeria’s evolving media landscape.