By: Biodun Durojaiye
Today, we celebrate a man whose life, work, courage and humanity have left deep impressions on everyone privileged to know him. At 60, Dipo Kehinde stands not just as a veteran journalist, but as a rare friend—one of those few whose loyalty and goodness are not theories, but lived experiences.
Our paths first crossed in 2004 at The Sun newspaper. Dipo was already a star—one of those reporters whose bylines carried weight, whose stories set newsrooms buzzing, and whose gift for uncovering scoops made him the reference point on the Crime beat. While I worked on the News Desk with the News Editor, Dipo was out there doing what he did best: breaking stories with precision, flair and fearless doggedness.
Our friendship deepened when fate brought us together again in 2008 at the Nigerian Compass, where he served as Crime Editor and I as Online Editor. Working with him was always a lesson in courage, tenacity and professional excellence. Dipo did not just cover the Crime beat; he owned it. His years of reporting made him a trusted figure among police officers, a network he would later use—not for personal gain—but to help friends who found themselves in what we often jokingly call “police wahala.” For decades, countless people have benefited from his influence, his compassion and his readiness to step in when the moment truly mattered.
But beyond profession and pedigree lies the man himself—kind, generous, dependable, and blessed with a heart that seeks nothing but good for others. Over the decades of making and keeping friends, I have categorised people into four groups:
Kajola
Afenifere
Kenimani
Ota to nse bi ọrẹ
Dipo belongs—firmly, unquestionably, and proudly—to the Kajola category. He is one of the rare few who genuinely want you to succeed, who will back you without envy, without hesitation, and even at personal inconvenience. If Dipo tells you, “I am with you,” you can go to sleep knowing that he means it. He is that friend who will stand by you in light and in shadow.
Dipo is courageous—sometimes fiery, always bold—but never reckless. He chooses his battles with the wisdom of a seasoned fighter who has seen enough of life to know what is worth confronting and what is worth letting go. And once he chooses to stand with you, he stands with his full chest.
He is not without flaws—and that is part of his charm. Dipo is an open book: transparent to a fault, sometimes too trusting, sometimes sharing more than necessary with people not close enough to deserve it. Yet this openness is also proof of his sincerity. There are no hidden compartments with him; what you see is what you get.
As for his spiritual life, only Dipo can explain it. Born a Muslim, married to a Christian, yet practicing neither fully, he walks a path uniquely his own. He jokes often that he is a “pastor,” while resisting both the pulpit and the mosque with equal stubbornness. His wife has tried to drag him toward the church; I have tried to nudge him back toward Islam. The jury is still out—and Dipo remains delightfully Dipo.
At 60, he stands as a man who has lived, loved, fought, laughed, and stayed true to himself and his friends. A man whose presence adds colour to every room, whose humour lifts heavy moments, and whose loyalty is the type you cherish over a lifetime.
Happy 60th Birthday, Dipo Kehinde.
May the years ahead bring you deeper joy, renewed strength, and the fulfilment of all that your generous heart desires. You are a rare friend, a fine journalist, and a man of substance—may your next decades be your finest yet.
Cheers to a remarkable life at 60.
- Biodun Durojaiye is the publisher of The Lagos Times and Founder/CEO of Thrifto.
