UNILAG octogenarian PhD graduand, Duyile, clarifies age

Nigerian octogenarian journalists and lecturers who are required to carry their PhD certificates during the upcoming 53rd convocation ceremony in University of Lagos (UNILAG)Akoka, Dayo Duyile, has confirmed her date of birth.

Mr. Duyile made headlines during the week when the UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Folasade Ogunsola, announced him as the oldest male graduate and awarded him a certificate during the convocation ceremony.

Mrs. Ogunsola added that Mr. Duyile, a veteran journalist, attended the foundation laying ceremony of the university in 1962, must be a source of inspiration to many.

However, the vice-chancellor cited Mr. Duyile’s age as 83 years, while other media houses gave his age as 80 years.

On Mr Duyile’s Facebook page, he is said to have been born in 1942, which would make him 80 years old in 2022.

But findings by PREMIUM TIMES through a third party including PhD thesis supervisor and Professor of Mass Communication at UNILAG, Ismail Ibrahim, and classmates, confirmed that Mr. Duyile 82 hours in October 2022.

The veteran journalist, however, confirmed that he was born on October 10, 1940, admitting that all his documents have always shown only his date of birth.

He also denied the Facebook page’s claims, saying he didn’t know who could have made the date there.

Mr Duyile spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on the phone on Thursday.

He said, “I am 82 but in October this year I will be 83.”

Asked to clarify the age quoted on his Facebook page, he said: “It must have been someone else who posted it, not me. I was born on October 10, 1940. And that’s what’s in my records.”

Kudos to PREMIUM TIMES

Speaking on the various ages quoted by different newspapers, Mr. Duyile thanked PREMIUM TIMES for seeking clarification from him, saying doing so was a hallmark of professionalism.

The media scholar, who said he was in a classroom teaching at Wesley University in Ondo State when he received the journalist’s call, urged students to imitate newspapers as they begin their journalism practice.

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He said, “Meanwhile, thank you for clarifying this because I am in the classroom right now teaching students who will be future journalists and they are also listening to you.

“What you are doing now is an example of journalism. When in doubt, look for it, so you can get the right information to send to the public instead of guessing.

So, he thanked the reporter for being a worthy example, and everyone said “Thank you, sir.”

“I still teach journalism”

Mr. Duyile said he is still very active in teaching journalism. “So I’m still teaching journalism at 82 and I’ll do it until I die.”

He said he taught at two universities. “I teach as a part-time lecturer at Wesley University, Ondo, where I am speaking to you now but Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin is my permanent place of work.”

Mr. Duyile, a former Provost of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism and former Editor of Daily Sketch, described himself as a reader of PREMIUM TIMES. He said it was one of his favorite Nigerian newspapers to read.