Buhari hails Lanre Arogundade, journalist on DSS watchlist for 38 years

President Muhammadu Buhari has congratulated Lanre Arogundade, Chairman of the International Press Centre (IPC), on his 60th birthday.

Arogundade, an educator, was formerly President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The President hailed his relentless efforts in promoting press freedom, democratic principles, and increased transparency during election processes.

The Nigerian leader said he recognizes the important role IPC plays in ensuring that journalists and other media workers perform their legitimate duties.

Buhari urged Arogundade to do more to ensure that the tenets and ethics of the profession are upheld as Nigeria and other West African countries prepare for elections.

In May, the Department of State Services (DSS) announced that it had removed Arogundade from a watchlist after 38 years.

Director-General, Yusuf Bichi made the revelation when he hosted a delegation from the International Press Institute (IPI Nigeria) in Abuja.

Arogundade was on February 10 detained by the DSS at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The veteran pressman was stopped after his arrival from Banjul, The Gambia, where he went to train journalists on conflict reporting.

Bichi explained that Arogundade was marked for questioning whenever he returned from a foreign country due to surveillance on him.

The activist had been placed under the federal government’s watch since his days as the NANS President between 1984 and 1985.

Buhari was then Nigeria’s Head of State, while Arogundade was a student at the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU).