69 garlands for Mentor-General of Nigeria, Danladi Bako  

By Fred Iwenjora

“It was 1988 — September 1988, to be precise!

The mega-hit “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” by Evi Edna was scheduled for release on October 6th.

One day in September, DANLADI BAKO, the most versatile presenter on NTA Network, at the time, Nigeria’s only national television network , visited us at Wemabod Estate. I was surprised and wondered what had brought him there.

After the usual pleasantries and some banters, he told me he wanted the video cassette of “HAPPY BIRTHDAY.”

I apologised and explained that the video and audio releases were scheduled simultaneously for October 6th.

Then he dropped the bombshell: He wanted to play the video on Network Television, in prime time, on October 1st, Nigeria’s Independence Day!

I agreed and handed him the video cassette.

Talk about GRACE!

On October 1st, Edna and I were curled up on our sofas, waiting.

I will never forget the goosebumps that enveloped me when, suddenly, from nowhere, I heard that opening chorus:

“Uuuu yea…” I froze.

Then it hit me: the entire country was watching — and it was Nigeria’s birthday!

Danladi Bako had broken “HAPPY BIRTHDAY” to the world!

Unforgettable!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BROTHER. 

Dr. DANLADI BAKO”.

Veteran music maker, Emma Ogosi, now 84, posted the above on his Facebook page, September 1, 2026 to congratulate Danladi Bako on his 69 birthday anniversary. It was apt. Vivid and drew emotions.

Since that day Nigerian media, both terrestrial and in the cloud, have been inundated  by tributes to one of Nigeria’s most celebrated media gurus,  Dr. Danladi Bako, OON.

Ayodele Williams first took to This Day and Daily independent, while DAAR Communications sent congratulatory messages.  TVC talked Danladi Bako all day as well as other media…