Gbenga Omotoso (born November 11, 1961) is a journalist, writer and columnist. He was the editor at The Nation newspaper until he was appointed as the Commissioner in charge of the Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy. He was sworn in 2019 by the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.[1][2][3][4] His tenure ended in 2023 after the first term of Mr Babajide Sanwo-olu. He was re-appointed as the commissioner for information and strategy and sworn in 2023 by the governor[5]
Gbenga Omotoso | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | November 11, 1961 |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Occupation(s) | Journalist, writer, columnist and commissioner for information and strategy |
| Organization(s) | Lagos State Ministry of Information and Strategy |
Early life
editOmotoso was born on November 11, 1961. He is from Osun State, South West, Nigeria. He graduated from the University of Benin in 1984 where he received his B.A. in English and Literature. He proceeded with a Masters in Public and International Affairs at the University of Lagos, Akoka, which he completed in 2007.[4][6]
Career
editOmotoso has spent 35 years in the media. He started as a trainee sub-editor at The Guardian newspaper. He later became the deputy editor of Guardian Express from where he rose to become the Editor of the Saturday Guardian. In 1999, at the inception of the Comet newspaper, he was appointed the pioneer editor of the newspaper.
In 2006 he again became the pioneer editor of The Nation newspaper. He has maintained a column "Editorial Notebook" in The Nation, where he writes on topical issues using humor to present serious issues.[7] He is a member of Nigeria Guild of Editors (NGE) and member of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).[8]
He is a great lover of sports, particularly table tennis. He showed his skills in an exhibition against the world's 20th best table tennis player, Aruna Quadri, and reportedly did not play like an amateur.[9]
Awards
editOmotoso has received many awards for excellence in media practice. The awards include the DAME Award in 2010, Nigeria Media Merit Award Editor of the Year in 2013, Nigeria Media Merit Award Editor of the Year in 2015, and Nigeria Media Merit Award Editor of the Year in 2017.[6]
References
edit- ^ "LIST: Lagos State Commissioners and Special Advisers – 2019 – 2023". Premium Times Nigeria. August 21, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ "Former The Nation Editor Gbenga Omotosho sworn-in as Lagos Commissioner for Information". Marketing Edge Magazine. August 20, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ Aderinola, Tayo (July 2, 2020). "Gbenga Omotoso: A Veteran Journalist par excellence". Lagos Panorama. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ a b Kehinde, Seye (January 27, 2020). "I Have Enjoyed Moving From Journalism To Public Service – Lagos Info Comm., Gbenga Omotoso". City People Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ Olasunkanmi, Akoni. "Sanwo-Olu swears in commissioners, special advisers". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved May 2, 2024.
- ^ a b "Mr. Gbenga Omotoso – Honourable Commissioner". Ministry of Information & Strategy. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ "Who edits The Nation?". Media Career Services. August 5, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ "Gbenga Omotoso Grows Tall". Independent Newspaper Nigeria. Retrieved September 20, 2022.
- ^ Anwankwo, Akan (August 17, 2021). "Lagos information commissioner Omotoso competes with Quadri in table tennis game". SportsBrief – Sport news. Retrieved September 20, 2022.