First Lady, Minister, Media Stakeholders Celebrate Moji Makanjuola @70 as NPRW Kicks Off in Kaduna
Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, and leading communication and media organisations have paid glowing tributes to veteran broadcaster and health communication advocate, Moji Makanjuola
, as she marked her 70th birthday—coinciding with the commencement of the 2026 Nigerian Public Relations Week (NPRW) in Kaduna.
The milestone birthday, which aligned with the opening of Nigeria’s flagship public relations gathering hosted by the Kaduna State Government, added a symbolic dimension to the celebration of a figure widely regarded as a pioneer in strategic communication and health journalism.
In her goodwill message, the First Lady described Makanjuola as a doyen of broadcasting, whose consistency, dedication, grace, and contributions continue to inspire professionals and women across the country.
She prayed for many more years of good health, peace, joy, and prosperity.
The Information Minister, Mohammed Idris Malagi, who hosted a brief birthday ceremony in Kaduna with members of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), commended her decades of impactful service in broadcast journalism and public relations.
He noted that her humility and dedication remain exemplary in the field of strategic communication.
The NIPR President, Dr. Ike Neliaku, described the celebrant—fondly known as “Aunty Moji”—as a thoroughbred professional and role model whose legacy continues to shape the communication industry.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Information, Mallam Ahmed Maiyaki, said the coincidence of her 70th birthday with the opening of NPRW underscores her enduring relevance in Nigeria’s communication ecosystem.
He noted that her career has promoted ethical journalism, amplified women’s voices, and made significant contributions to global health reporting.
In his tribute, Dr. Sule Yau Sule, Board Chairman of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), praised Makanjuola for transforming journalism into a tool for public enlightenment and health advocacy.
“From TV studios to the corridors of the United Nations, she has carried the banner of health journalism and advocacy with dignity, courage, and conviction,” he said.
The Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), in a statement jointly signed by its National Chairperson, Hajia Aishatu Zibrahim, and Secretary, Wasilah Ladan, hailed her as a trailblazer and strong advocate for women’s advancement in journalism.
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They noted that her contributions during her tenure as NAWOJ President remain a benchmark for professional excellence and mentorship.
Similarly, the Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists (NGIJ) described her as a defining voice in Nigeria’s media and development landscape.
Its President, Mallam Abdulrahman Aliagan, said her career reflects professionalism, compassion, and purposeful service.
Also, the Coordinator of the PRNigeria Young Communication Fellowship, Mohammed Dahiru Lawal, commended her for mentoring countless journalists, particularly women, and inspiring initiatives that empower young communicators.
The Centre for Communication and Social Impact (CCSI) also described her as a remarkable media icon whose work has shaped narratives, influenced policies, and strengthened communities.
Across the tributes, stakeholders highlighted Makanjuola’s influence within Nigeria and internationally, noting her role in advancing development communication and setting enduring standards in broadcasting.
As NPRW 2026 commenced in Kaduna—bringing together communication professionals, policymakers, and global stakeholders—many described the coincidence with her 70th birthday as fitting recognition of a lifetime dedicated to shaping narratives and driving social impact.
Born in Kwara State, Makanjuola began her career as the first television announcer at the National Television Broadcast in Kwara before joining the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), where she rose to become the pioneer Head of the Health and Gender Desk and also led the Presentation and Reportorial Units between 1980 and 1985.
Her transition into health journalism was driven by personal tragedy. After losing her mother to undetected internal bleeding following a road accident in the 1980s, she committed herself to reporting health issues as a way of saving lives through public awareness.
After retiring from NTA, she founded the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), a non‑governmental organisation dedicated to using media to advance public health. She also served as President of the Nigerian Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and works as a media consultant to UN Women.
Makanjuola is the author of Health Journalism: A Journey with Moji Makanjuola and has produced several acclaimed documentaries. In 2014, she was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic (MFR) by President Goodluck Jonathan.
Her influence has earned her multiple chieftaincy titles, and a national public‑health journalism award — the Moji Makanjuola Award of Excellence for Public Health Journalism — has been established in her honour.
By PRNigeria
