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MR. EDWARD ADEBISI LAWRENCE

The Wordsmith

Edward Adebisi was born in Ado Ekiti on 23rd October 1932, into the family of Mr. John Ojo Lawrence and Princess Victoria Edowaiye Lawrence (Nee Osula of the Benin Royal Kingdom).

His father was the forest ranger from the then Ondo province and mother was a businesswoman, who often liked to display her coral beads. As a forester, Pa Ojo was constantly transferred around the country, probably intriguing Bisi’s adventurous spirit.

His education started at the Catholic School Mission, Ado Ekiti, followed by Christ’s School Ado Ekiti, and CMS, Lagos. He loved football passionately, (an avid Liverpool FC supporter) and was the goalkeeper of Christ's School Ado Ekiti Football Team, 1951. Professor Adelola Adeloye, the second Nigerian to qualify as a Neurosurgeon, and a former classmate of his wrote in his book: “The debonair goalkeeper, sitting stylishly with the ball was Edward Bisi Lawrence. Lithe and agile, Bisi Lawrence was as good at goalkeeping as he was at writing English essays. He was the School Librarian who taught Ben Oluwole and myself the magic of the English language. Osuntokun, (Professor Benjamin Olukayode Osuntokun, the foremost Neurologist) like the rest of the 1951 Senior Class, respected Bisi Lawrence for his literary ability. When he was leaving school in 1951, Lawrence gave me a penguin book on which he inscribed the words of Goethe, the German philosopher, on the aristocracy of knowledge, power and wealth.”

It wasn’t surprising then that his eventual choice of a career in Broadcasting, entwined this English Language magic and football. They ran through his veins. After his Diploma in Journalism whilst in England and training at the British Broadcasting Corporation, he joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Service, later Corporation, the forebears of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN)

His career spanned various regions and themes, including Features department in Radio Nigeria, where he produced and voiced the Newsreel program and a stint in Radio Nigeria Ibadan while relieving another officer. In the mid-60s he was sent out on attachments to Voice of America where he worked for some years and then the External Service of Radio Nigeria – Features – on his return to Nigeria.

He later moved over to Home Service to head the Outside Broadcast department and was promoted to the position of Controller National Programs before he retired early "looking forward to years of delightful indolence ahead” – according to him. One of the interesting highlights of his career at FRCN was that he was on duty on the night of the 1977 Dimka Coup, when he was asked to play the Martial music to signify the occurrence of a coup. He had to find a way to wriggle out of it, but never fully told anyone the story – except one of his grandsons.

He wasn’t on retirement for long though, as he joined Lagos State service on appointment as the first General Manager/Chief Executive Officer of Radio Lagos in the early 80s, during the time of Governor Lateef Jakande. He started Radio Lagos/Eko FM from scratch and launched the station to its stardom before his exit. As a pioneer General Manager, Bisi Lawrence mentored a lot of seasoned broadcasters, most of whom later became General Managers of Radio Lagos and Traffic Radio respectively.

He also had the opportunity to midwife Lagos Television, which pioneered 24-hour television in Nigeria, though initially on weekends. He left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s media practice, inspiring many to take up the profession and coaching them to reach the pinnacle of their career. As a veteran journalist of many parts, talented media practitioner and sports enthusiast, he was popularly known professionally as BizLaw or Egbons to many who looked up to him in the trade.

He often took his children including the girls to watch football at the National Stadium. His love of sports was however not limited to playing, reporting, or watching football. He took a keen interest in boxing as well. His involvement in sports extended to administrative roles such as the Vice Chairmanship of Nigerian Football Association (NFA). He also chaired the media Committees for Nigeria '99 FIFA Under 20 World Cup tournament with an outstanding outcome. He was a member of IOC and attended the Olympics and Football World Cups.

In 1984, Uncle Sam Amuka convinced Bisi to join Vanguard Newspaper, and thus began another adventure for the “Wordsmith” as he was called by some colleagues. He wrote several columns ranging from radio, television and newspaper reviews to the weather, matters of the moment (At a time like this), sports, and the famous interview column, Conversations with Bisi Lawrence, which were for those 70 years and above. Conversations took BizLaw round Nigeria, by road – re-enacting the trips he took with his late father. He drove himself, a comment on the state of our roads then, and safety across Nigeria.

Bisi Lawrence was a thoroughbred Broadcaster of the Radio extraction, from Radio Nigeria stable- (Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria), FRCN to Radio Lagos/Eko FM. He defined the airwaves, demonstrated the candour of a seasoned radio Broadcaster, mentor and role model. He used his talent in writing, organising and mentoring to serve the country meritoriously, and his legacy of setting new standards with every responsibility will always be remembered.

He spent the last decade of his life worshipping at the RCCG NEW COVENANT ASSEMBLY as the oldest member of the Elders Group participating in all activities including regular visits to the RCCG CAMP.

He is survived by his wife, Esther Adjua Lawrence, children – Aduke, Omowunmi, Folasade, Olusola and Ayofolarin, 13 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, siblings, nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed.

Rest in peace, Edward Adebisi Lawrence, the Wordsmith!