Former PUNCH Editor, Dayo Oketola, To Launch Book On Tech, Digital Economy

The immediate past Editor of The PUNCH, Dayo Oketola, is set to launch a book he authored on the evolution of Nigeria’s Information and Communications Technology industry.

The book, ‘The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution Through a Journalist‘s Lens,’ will be launched on September 17, 2024, at an inaugural lecture to mark the end of his time as an editor and celebrate his nearly 20 years of experience in journalism.

The evolution of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, which began with the introduction of GSM in 2001, has attracted over $70 billion in investments and created over 500,000 jobs in the country.

Oketola highlights the bold initiatives that opened the sector to private investment, from 450,000 telephone lines before 2001 to a vibrant market today. It also charts how Nigeria can maximise its digital economic potential.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo will be the Special Guest Speaker at the event, which will take place at the Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, by 10 am.

Oketola, now a senior member of the PUNCH Editorial Board, left as Editor of The PUNCH following the organisation’s management-level shake-up in June.

While serving as editor, he won the Editor of the Year prize at the Nigeria Media Merit Awards (NMMA) in December 2023. He also led the organisation to win the Newspaper of the Year at the same award ceremony. Oketola, a consistent journalism prizeman, also won the Editor of the Year Award at The Industry Awards 2022. He is a two-time winner of the Zimeo Excellence in Media Awards in Johannesburg 2015 and Nairobi 2016, among numerous awards during his illustrious journalism career.

In a statement, Oketola said, “I am excited to announce the upcoming launch of my book, The Catalyst: Nigerian ICT Evolution Through A Journalist’s Lens, scheduled for September 17, 2024.

“On the same day, I will also be hosting an inaugural lecture to celebrate my tenure as Editor of The PUNCH and nearly 20 years in journalism.”

Speaking further, the former editor described his years in journalism as one that had driven advocacy and impacted different sectors of the economy.

“My 20 remarkable years of stewardship to the nation via media and leadership practices have driven advocacy and impacted areas such as business and economy, ICT, energy, agriculture, social inclusion, anti-corruption, drug trafficking prevention, and nation-building, a testament to the power of journalism in shaping our society,” Oketola remarked.

Other influential guests expected at the media event are Michael Ikpoki, former Chief Executive Officer of MTN Nigeria, who will chair the occasion, and Dr Akin Olaniyan, the Convener of the Centre for Social Media Research, who will be the book reviewer. The Minister of Information, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, will grace the occasion as the Chief Host.

Similarly, the Managing Director/ Editor-in-Chief of PUNCH Nigeria Limited, Mr Adeyeye Joseph, is the host. At the same time, the President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mr Eze Anaba, is the co-host.