Former Presidential Spokesperson, Laolu Akande, has stirred national reflection and commendation with his latest intervention—an emotional listing of the 51 victims recently killed in Plateau State.
The effort, hailed as a rare act of dignity and empathy in Nigeria’s often numbing media and political climate, has prompted a flood of admiration from Nigerians across the social and professional spectrum.
Akande’s gesture, which was made during his My Take segment on Inside Sources on Sunday, humanized the tragedy beyond cold statistics, was praised for injecting moral clarity and professional excellence into public discourse—a quality many now say is sorely missing in the corridors of power.
“Honestly, Laolu Akande is a true professional guiding public discourse for President Tinubu,” one social media commentator wrote. “His latest effort in listing the names of the 51 victims killed in Plateau is commendable and speaks to his unwavering dedication to truth and justice,” says social media commentator Sam Justice on APC WhatsApp group on Wednesday.
The commentator further noted that even after leaving his post as spokesperson to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Akande’s relevance has only deepened. “His work, which combines compassion with professionalism, is the kind needed by President Bola Tinubu to reshape public discourse in Nigeria. The current handlers of the president have much to learn from Laolu’s wealth of experience. He is one of the few voices genuinely telling the president the truth and guiding him on where to focus efforts for meaningful change.”
In a WhatsApp message, Ifeanyi Mbanefo, a former executive at the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) and former copy editor at THE GUARDIAN, described Akande’s report as a model of journalism that reclaims public humanity.
“Sometimes when you think all hope is lost, you wake up to a piece of excellent journalism,” he said. “PASTOR LAOLU AKANDE! This is journalism at its best! Take your flowers, your report will, hopefully, rehumanize our public space. And elevate the victims beyond mere statistics.”
Mbanefo took particular aim at the decline in ethical journalism, lamenting how many media outlets now reduce lives to mere body counts or demographic checkboxes. “100 killed in Plateau and Benue. Who’s training our copy editors; what happened to their humanity? ‘10 persons and three Hausas died’ brand of journalism, abi?”
He invoked the work of American writer and activist Rebecca Solnit, who urged truth-telling and naming injustice for what it is. “Changing the world means changing the story, the names, and the language with which we describe it,” he said, referencing Solnit’s book Call It By Its True Name. “Calling things by their true names cuts through the lies that excuse, disguise, avoid, or encourage inaction, indifference, and obliviousness in the face of injustice and violence.”
In a deeply spiritual tone, Mbanefo concluded, “Someone will say your name, plead your case before God. And everywhere it is needed. There are seven traditionally recognized corporal works of mercy. Your report is the eighth.”
Prominent journalist and political researcher, Olalekan Adigun, also added his voice.
“During the Buhari/Osinbajo era, Laolu Akande was the best presidential spokesperson at the time. You don’t spend so many years in the newsroom—from Guardian to Tribune, and Philadelphia Inquirer—and not know your onions.”
Akande, a long-time advocate for justice and democratic accountability, continues to be a guiding moral and professional voice even outside formal public office. His listing of the victims’ names is now seen as a powerful reminder of journalism’s role—not only in informing the public but in preserving humanity, truth, and justice.
