What did Babatunde Jose Indulge in?

 What did Babatunde Jose indulge in?

Wine, women or weed?

Alh Ismail Babatunde Jose would have been 100 years old on December 13th this year, (2025), he was born in 1925 and died on 2nd August, 2008 at the age of 82. I never gave it a thought until I met Prince Adetoowo Aderemi, a son of Late Oba Adesoji Aderemi, Ooni of Ife at Mr Wale Michael of Online Dynamics event, WALK -IN- COCKTAIL on December 23rd at Jericho area when our discussion veered into the Prince revealing that he is married to the first daughter of the "Doyen of Nigerian Journalism" as Baba was fondly called. I have heard and read about Alhaji Jose as a student and teacher of Journalism and was so thrilled with the sweet memories associated with the old man. He led an exemplary life as the history of modern Nigerian Journalism will never be complete without adequate reference to his immense contributions to humanity through his chosen career. It is on record that he was in charge of Daily Times of Nigeria when the newspaper was selling 200,000 copies daily and the Sunday edition selling 500, 000 copies. A man who joined the then Daily Times as a Technical Trainee in 1941and rose to become the Editor in 1957 and Promoter of the most flourishing Newspaper in West Africa at a time, he didn't only excel in his chosen career, he also raised very many successful journalists in the land who have continued to raise the bar of excellence Alhaji Babatunde Jose left behind. May Allah continue to bless his soul, aameen. As much as I cherish the beautiful stories woven around the man, I care to know what Alhaji Babatunde Jose indulged in while in active journalism service, it used to be about wine, women or weed among journalists at that time, which of the three did Alhaji romance? I have not come across anywhere this is recorded, Why? Was he a saint? He was a Pious Muslim, no doubt, did he survive it?

How? Why? Can any of his "boys" , who was part of the story at that time be courageous enough to reveal this part of the Champion? I like Biographies, I attempt them too, what draws my attention to reading them most times would be about getting to know indulgences of the subject matter. I was having a conversation with a Lawyer friend this evening and I asked out of curiosity if the so called "enjoyment" in life will be complete without the 3Ws? He succumbed to the trap as he struggled to admit that one can't take them out of the enjoyment of life. This is serious! As a journalist and even practitioners from other notable professions, which of these 3Ws do you indulge in? Where is the place of spirituality and morality in our enjoyment in life? Can we really stand before our Creator and be proud of our handling of the 3 Ws? As we march into the new year, 2026, which of the 3Ws are you willing to shelve? Or is it going to be business as usual? For me, I really can't cope with anything beyond bread and butter, moreso, Ile ologo lemi n le!

Happy 2026 to us all!

Kola Olomide 

Ile Olobo

Isale Bode 

Ibadan 

Publicity Secretary 

Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII