NIGERIAN BOOK FAIR TRUST MOURNS THE PASSING OF ICONIC PUBLISHER AND MENTOR, PA GABRIEL ONIBONOJE
By: Wole Adedoyin
Nigerian Book Fair Trust (NBFT) has expressed its deepest condolences to the family of Late Pa Gabriel Omotayo Onibonoje, who passed away recently. In a statement issued by the council and management of NBFT, the organization commiserated with Onibonoje’s family, management, and staff of G.O Onibonoje Publishers, Nigerian Publishers Association, and the entire players within the Nigerian book ecosystem on the death of this illustrious personality.
NBFT Chairman, Dare Oluwatuyi, and Secretary, Abiodun Omotubi, expressed their deepest condolences on behalf of the organization to the family of Pa Onibonoje and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him.
According to the statement, Pa Onibonoje was a man full of wisdom, enviable character, and hospitality, who was on record as being one of the eminent pioneers that set the pace for modern indigenous book publishing in Nigeria and Africa. For NBFT in particular, Late Pa Onibonoje was not only an icon within their ranks, but also a former recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award of the organization.
Pa Onibonoje was a man full of passion for the development of indigenous book publishing in Nigeria and Africa, and was an author of many books, the pride of many scholars. He was a trainer and developer of minds, and many great owners of indigenous book publishing firms in Nigeria today were nurtured and mentored by him. He was a man full of vision and vigour during his very active days in the book publishing business.
In his honour, NBFT acknowledged that the evergreen works of literature he authored and published will always make his memory fresh in the minds of lovers of books in many generations to come. Pa Onibonoje lived a fulfilled life, and his legacy will continue to inspire many in the Nigerian book industry.
The statement read, “Let us take solace in the fact that Pa Onibonoje lived a fulfilled life. The evergreen works of literature he authored and published will always make his memory fresh in the minds of lovers of books in many generations to come. Adieu Pa Gabriel Omotayo Onibonoje. May the Almighty God give the bereaved family members and the entire members of the Nigerian Book Industry the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Please accept our condolences.”
According to the Statement, Pa Onibonoje, will always be remembered as a man of vision, passion, and integrity, who made an indelible mark on the Nigerian book industry. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”


DISCLAIMER:
I would like to issue a formal disclaimer in relation to a press release that was published on the demise of Pa Gabrial Omotayo Onibonoje titled “NIGERIAN BOOK FAIR TRUST MOURNS THE PASSING OF ICONIC PUBLISHER AND MENTOR, PA GABRIEL ONIBONOJE”. I extend my sincerest apologies to the family of Ambassador Omotayo, whose picture was mistakenly used in my article instead of the late Pa Gabriel Omotayo Onibonoje, whose picture was unavailable online.
I recognize that this mistake has caused great distress to the family and friends of Ambassador Omotayo, and I take full responsibility for my error. I want to make it clear that my conduct was not intentional, and I deeply regret any harm or inconvenience that this may have caused.
I want to clarify that the picture used in the release was obtained from a third-party website, Blerf, and I had no knowledge that it was not the correct image of the late Pa Gabriel Omotayo Onibonoje. However, I understand that as a responsible publisher, I should have exercised more caution in verifying the image before using it in my article.
I would like to inform my readers that the picture of Ambassador Omotayo has been unpublished on all my platforms, including my blogs and social media pages, and I have taken necessary steps to ensure that it is removed from all other online sources as well.
I understand that the situation has caused distress to not only the family of Ambassador Omotayo, but also to my readers and followers. I want to assure everyone that I am taking this matter seriously and I will do everything within my power to prevent such mistakes from happening again in the future.
Finally, I once again apologize for any harm or inconvenience caused by my mistake. I remain committed to my mission of delivering accurate and reliable information to my readers and followers, and I will continue to take necessary measures to ensure that my content is factually correct and presented in a responsible manner.
Thanks and God bless.
Wole Adedoyin

Hello synw,
Please note that you have posted the picture of someone else as Pa Gabriel Onibonoje. Kindly do your research and please pull down this post as it is causing the family of the man pictured (who is very much alive) undue distress.

Thank you.