- By David Orji
A prominent journalist based in Osun State, Soji Charles Adeniyi, is set to be installed as the new Onigbeda of Igbeda Ijesa under the consent authority of the Owa Adimula of Ijeshaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran.
Adeniyi, a journalist cum businessman, was the State Bureau Chief of The Nation Newspaper for many years before he exited the company.
According to information available to the NPO Reports, Adeniyi will be installed on Thursday October 19, 2023 in the town of Igbeda.
Adeniyi was born on July 1, 1964 and raised in Osogbo, the capital city of Osun State.
He bagged a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Studies from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (formerly University of Ife) in 1992 and had a Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism (PGDJ) from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba-Ikeja, Lagos in 1994.
An arts enthusiast and promoter, Adeniyi founded Centre, Heritage of African Solutions (CHAS), Osogbo in January 1995 to propagate the African values of which he remains the President till today.
The Centre, lately, had three major group art exhibitions. CHAS participated in the 1ST ICAL House Bazaar (a quarterly fair of contemporary arts and crafts at the International Centre for Arts, Badagry, Lagos) on January 28, 1996.
The Centre held another group art exhibition at the Osun State Festival of Arts and Culture (Osunfest ’97) in Osogbo from June 16 to July 5, 1997. CHAS also held an exhibition entitled Orisa – A Bridge Between Abeokuta and Brazil at the Brazillian Embassy, Lagos from April 23 to May 5, 1998. Adeniyi was chairman, Planning Committee of Prince Oyin Adejobi “On Stage” Golden Jubilee in 1998.
He started his journalism career with the Punch Nigeria Limited, Lagos, the Publishers of Punch Newspapers from February 1993 to October 1993.
Adeniyi first served as Intern with the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Service), Osogbo for three months (August to November, 1994) and later as Reporter from December 1994 to January 1996 and Editor from February 1996 to September, 1996.
Adeniyi worked with the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN) Plc., Ibadan, Oyo State (the Publishers of the five Tribune Titles, including the Nigerian Tribune.
Adeniyi was also Head/Senior Correspondent, Ondo State from May, 2006 to August 2006 and Head/Senior Correspondent, Ekiti State from April 2004 to July 2006. Earlier, he was Business Editor from September 2003 to April 2004 and Sub Editor from August 2002 to September 2003. He once served as Editorial Page Editor and a member of the Editorial Board as secretary from April 2000 to July 2002. He was Senior Staff Writer (Features) and a Production Officer in August 1999. Also, Adeniyi taught, on a part time, English for Journalists, Features Writing and Business and Economic Reporting in Ibadan Campus of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism from April 2000 to May 2001. He founded Sojion Jenera Bars and Restaurants, starting from Ado-Ekiti, the state capital of Ekiti State under the trade name, Chalisa Bars, in November 2005 and he is the Chief Executive Officer of the business on a part time till today. Adeniyi joined the Vintage Press Limited, Lagos, Publishers of the Nation Newspapers on February 2007.
Speaking with the NPO Reports in a brief chat on Tuesday, Adeniyi his mission on the thrown is to change the conditions of his people restoring values and promoting hard work.