By Orobosa Omo-Ojo JP
Prof Tonnie Iredia OON, B.A, M.P.A, Ph.D, Lawyer, Sociologist, Adminstrator, Veteran Journalist and Media Practitioner turns a year older today, January 31, 2023.
Prof Iredia is a leading light in the Nigerian media, haven contributed immensely to the growth, as a trainer and administrator.
Prof Iredia kicked off his journalism career at the then Midwest Television in Benin City (now Nigerian Television Authority) in early 70s, from where he rose to become the manager of news and current affairs, to becoming the Director General of National Orientation Agency, NOA and later Director General of NTA , Prof Iredia’s giant footprints fit perfectly with those of the founding fathers of the Nigerian Press, who struggled for the nation’s independence.
Prof Tonnie Iredia is a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, (NIPR); the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE); the Nigerian Institute of Management (NIM) and the Society for Peace Studies & Practice (SPSP).
He was the Head of NTA’s news coverage team in the old Bendel State during Nigeria’s Presidential elections in 1979 & 1983 and posted later by the Federal Government from NTA to serve as Director of Public Affairs, National Electoral Commission (NEC) 1987-1993.
During the ill-fated June 12, 1993 election, Prof Tonnie was the information officer that was stopped by the military government from displaying and publishing the results of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, that was annulled by General Ibrahim Babangida.
Iredia’s professional service led to his secondment by Nigeria to the Independent Elections Commission of Liberia (IECOM) in 1997, where he served as technical expert on the management of electoral information.
In 1997, Prof Iredia was ECOWAS Coordinator of Political Broadcasts during the first post-civil war elections in Liberia 1997 and has also served as an international election observer since 2008.
A highly sort after resource Nigerian, Prof Iredia has trained several media owners, editors and reporters in development communications.