Segun Atanda/
“Throw a lucky man into the sea, and he will come up with a fish in his mouth.“
This ancient Arab proverb perfectly captures the extraordinary life of Nigerian labour activist and journalist Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu, who, after a decade in the wilderness, fleeing persecution and surviving relentless attacks from rogues who sought her life, has emerged triumphant, celebrated in a foreign land, and honoured by no less than the Prime Minister of Canada, Dr. Mark Joseph Carney.
On Sunday, July 13, 2025, as Dupe marked her 65th birthday in quiet reflection at her Canadian home, a surprise knock on her door set the stage for another chapter in her remarkable story. A formal envelope, stamped with the insignia of the Canadian government, bore a message that would have seemed unthinkable during her years in hiding.
In a succinct yet symbolic gesture, Prime Minister Mark Carney wrote:
“Modupe Olaoye-Osinkolu,
It is a great pleasure to send you best wishes and warmest congratulations on the occasion of your sixty-fifth birthday.”
It was more than a letter—it was an affirmation that this lion-hearted Nigerian, once hounded into exile, now stands tall and recognised in a country where her resilience and contributions to journalism and activism continue to inspire.
Dupe’s journey reads like a modern odyssey. A fearless journalist and former chair of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Lagos chapter, she led daring campaigns—most notably the “Save the Mothers” initiative that compelled Lagos State to extend maternity leave from three to six months and introduced paternity leave. But her outspoken defence of workers’ rights and her fiery pen against corruption made her powerful enemies.
Hounded by persecutors and rogues intent on silencing her, Dupe fled Nigeria nearly a decade ago. In exile, she rebuilt her life brick by brick, continuing her advocacy from afar, writing, teaching, and mentoring journalists—even as she nursed dreams of home.
True to the proverb, Dupe was thrown into the stormy seas of political persecution but resurfaced stronger, clutching not just survival, but success. In Canada, she carved out a niche as a voice for African women in media, launched cultural projects, and continued to write plays and books that preserved her ties to Nigeria.
Her grit did not go unnoticed. From grassroots organisations to international networks, Dupe earned respect for transforming adversity into advocacy. That recognition culminated in this week’s unprecedented birthday honour from Prime Minister Carney, a man known for his rare personal outreach.
For Dupe, the letter is more than a birthday greeting, it is proof that integrity, courage, and perseverance still triumph in a world often hostile to those who speak truth to power. It is also a lesson to countless others who battle against tides of injustice.
“I have faced lions, storms, and daggers in the dark,” Dupe told NewsmakersNG. “But if you keep swimming, even the sea will one day carry you ashore.”
As friends, former colleagues, and admirers across the world showered her with tributes, Dupe’s 65th became not just a personal milestone but a testament to the triumph of justice over persecution, and of destiny over despair.
For those who know her story, the proverb rings true: Dupe Olaoye-Osinkolu was thrown into the sea, and she emerged not only alive but with a fish in her mouth, a symbol of favour, survival, and victory.
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