Issues
Celebrating Journalism In Nigeria At 160
This year (2019) marks 160 years of journalism in Nigeria. It was on November 23, 1859, that the late Scottish journalist and evangelist, Rev Henry Townsend, published the first newspaper in Nigeria known as “Iwe Irohin” in Abeokuta in Old Western region in the present day Ogun State. It is a major milestone in the history of the media in Nigeria.
Rev Townsend, who was regarded as the father of education, journalists and publishers in Nigeria, said his reason for publishing the first newspaper in the country was to teach Nigerians how to read and write. He said as a missionary, his work of preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ was absolutely impossible without the people reading and understanding the preaching.
“I created the local newspaper that would stimulate reading and beget the habit of seeking information”. It was also to ensure that the converts found their own time to read the paper where gospel messages were packaged; without it faith was practically impossible, he stated. Since then the seed of journalism he planted in Abeokuta in 1859 has been growing. Today, Nigeria has a countless number of journalists and newspapers.
The first generation of Nigerian journalists and fathers of the profession were Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Ernest Ikoli, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Babatunde Jose, Chief Herbert Macauley, Alhaji Alade Odunewu, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Angus Okoli.
Others were Chief Samuel Akintola, Chief Bisi Onabanjo, Chief M. C. K Ajuluchukwu, Alhaji Adamu Ciroma, Mr Peter Osugo, Mrs Theresa Ogunbiyi, Roy Ezeabasili, Mr Gab Idigo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, to mention but a few. These eminent persons used journalism as instrument to champion and achieve independence for Nigeria. It is unarguable that journalism gave birth to independent Nigeria and introduced reading and writing in the country.
The pre-independence newspapers used by these great journalists/ nationalists to fight for Nigeria’s freedom from the colonial masters were “Lagos Today”, the first indigenous newspaper published by Chief Herbert Macauley. This was followed by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe’s group of newspapers like the “West African Pilot” which he edited; “Comet” was edited by Chief Anthony Enahoro and Southern Nigeria Defender etc. Chief Obafemi Awolowo, also a lawyer, published the “Nigerian Tribune”. “Daily Times” was edited by Chief Ernest Ikoli but published by the Federal Government.
There were many other newspapers, news magazines, radio and television stations after independence that had contributed in diverse ways to the growth and development of Nigeria. Some of the newspapers and their publishers were the defunct “Concord” newspaper by Chief Moshood K. O. Abiola, the “Daily Champion” by Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, “The Punch” by Chief James Aboderin, “The Vanguard” by Chief Sam Amuka-Pemu, “This Day” by Prince Nduka Obaigbena, “The Guardian” by Chief Godie Ibru, “The Sun” by Chief Orji Uzoh Kalu and “The Nation” by Chief Bola Ahmed Tinubu etc.
Interestingly, Flora Shaw, who later became the wife of Lord Fredrick Lugard, was a journalist who coined the term “Niger Area” as we were known before the amalgamation. She christened the new amalgamated nation, “Nigeria” from that term. Again, it was a journalist, Chief Enahoro, who courageously moved the motion for the independence of Nigeria in the Parliament. This shows how fearless and courageous journalists were.
Meanwhile, journalists like Dr Patrick Dele Cole, Mr Dele Giwa, Dr Stanley Macebuh, Mr Ray Ekpu, Dr Eddie Iroh, Mr Dan Agbese, Mr Bayo Adenuga, Mrs Chris Anyanwu, Mr Yakubu Mohammed, Mr Shaka Momodu, Wofuru Okparaolu, Dr Reuben Abati, Dr Doyin Abiola, among others, and the contemporary media revolutionalised journalism and brought modernity and style to the profession.
As the fourth estate of the realm, journalism is the watchdog of society, the voice of the voiceless, the defender of the defenceless, the agenda setter and opinion moulder. It can make or mar a nation. It can take individuals from grass to grace and from grace to grass. That is the power of journalism. It is also the mirror of society and the light of the world.
But the profession is not without risk. Journalists are harassed, arrested, detained, jailed and even killed globally. In Nigeria, for instance, many journalists had met their waterloo while trying to unravel the ills of society. They were either detained, jailed or even killed. For example, Mr Tunde Thompson, Mr Nduka Irabor, Mrs Chris Anyanwu, Mr Kunle Ajibade, Mr Ben Obi and a host of others, were jailed for doing their job.
On October 19, 1986, Mr Dele Giwa, the editor-in-chief of “Newswatch” magazine was killed with a parcel bomb in Lagos. In August 1990, Mr Kress Imodibe of “The Guardian” and Mr Tayo Awotunsin of the “Daily Champion” newspapers were murdered in Monrovia, the Liberian capital, while covering the civil war in that country.
Mr Bagauda Kaltho of “The News” lost his life on January 18, 1996, at Durbar Hotel, Kano. On February 26, 1998, Mr Tunde Oladepo of “The Guardian” was brutally killed in Abeokuta. In October 2006, Mr Omololu Falobi of “The Punch” was slain in Lagos. Similarly, on December 22, 2006, Mr Godwiri Agbroko, the chairman of the editorial board of “This Day” newspaper was killed in Lagos.
Also, Mr Paul Abayomi Ogundeji of the editorial board of “This Day” was assassinated in Lagos. On Sunday, September 20, 2009, Mr Bayo Ohu of “The Guardian” was also murdered in Lagos etc. These people laid their lives for the profession. Though hazardous, journalism is one of the most luscious and vibrant professions in the world.
Overwhelmed by the contributions and sacrifices of the Nigerian journalist over the years, the Nigerian League of Veteran Journalists (NLVJ) led by its President, Otunba Eddie Aderinokun, said that NLVJ would celebrate 160 years of journalism in Nigeria and immortalise Rev Townsend.
He said elaborate and comprehensive arrangements had been concluded to celebrate the event in Abeokuta where the journey began on 23 November, 1859. According to him, the event would feature the inauguration of a Nigeria Media Hall of Fame and an institute, Media Research and Training Centre. Also, there would be a media exhibition and gala/award night for past and present media practitioners, he assured. The event will hold on March 22 to 24, 2019.
Nigerian journalists, past and present, including those outside the country and members of Rev Townsend family are expected to grace the occasion. He said the Governor of Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun, had graciously consented to host the event.
All roads will, therefore, lead to Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, on that date to celebrate a profession that gave birth to Nigeria, made enormous contributions, sacrifices and brought tremendous honour and glory to our nation.
A big salute to Nigerian journalists as they converge in Abeokuta for the occasion.
Ogbuehi, a journalist, wrote from Eagle Island, Port Harcourt.
Ike Ogbuehi
This is an open letter to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Your Excellency,
Sir, ordinarily, I would not be writing an open letter to you, but like a wise man once said, “Silence would be Treason.” So I prefer to stay alive than face the consequences of silence in the face of crime. With each passing day, and as the socio-political tides continue to turn, it has become more pertinent that more people speak up in a concerted MANNER to prevent the death of our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as we appear to be, in the words of W. B. Yeats, “turning and turning in the widening gyre” heading for an end where the falcon will no longer hear the falconer
It is unfortunate that since losing control of the Federal Government, with the loss of President Goodluck Jonathan at the poll in 2015, our party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has continued on a downward spiral. It is much more painful, that where it is expected that leaders within the party should rise to the challenge and put an end to this decline of our great party, some have instead taken up roles as its undertaker.
It will be hypocritical to claim aloofness to what I believe is your grouse with the PDP and I am not a hypocrite. It will be uncharitable on my part to discountenance the role you have played in strengthening the PDP from 2015 up until the last Presidential primaries of the party. It is my belief that your grouse against certain members of the party who you perceived worked against the party and abandoned it in 2015 and then came around much later to take control of the party, is justified. Also know that your decision to remain in the Party and stifle its progress on the other hand, as a sort of payback, stands condemned. For a man of your pedigree and stature, it is a dishonorable act, highly dishonorable and stands as testimony against all you claim to stand for.
At least, it can be argued that those who you hold this grudge against, abandoned the party completely and did not sit back while actively working to destroy it from within. But what then can be the argument on your own part, seeing that those you are currently working with against your party are the same people who set in motion, and executed surgically, the plans that not only ended our Party’s leadership at the centre, but ended up dislodging the first Niger Deltan to occupy Aso Rock as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Is this not akin to “cutting off one’s nose to spite one’s face?” That will be worse than folly. Let us not throw away the baby with the bath water because we do not like the soap used in bathing the baby. It will be a grave mistake.
Honourable Minister, sir, it is rather unfortunate that of all people, you have also decided to play the role of an undertaker not only for our party, but for our dear Rivers State.
I will like to take you down memory lane a little. Let me remind you of your emergence as Guber candidate of the PDP in Rivers State, against all fairness and justice in 2014. You will remember that despite the reality being that you as an Ikwerre man was poised to replace a fellow Ikwerre man in Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi in our multiethnic state, Rivers people overwhelmingly stood by you and pushed for your emergence as Executive Governor of Rivers State in 2015. I dare say that your popularity in the entire Niger Delta region was at an all-time high at this point.
I want you to understand why you were loved across board leading to your eventual emergence as Governor of Rivers State in 2015; it was because when it looked like all were against the second term ambitions of the first Niger Delta man to emerge as President of Nigeria, you became not just a pillar but a beacon of resistance by standing for Goodluck Jonathan. Rivers people, as grateful and rewarding as they can be, paid you back by ensuring your electoral victory against the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC) led by your predecessor. On your emergence, where there were second term Governors in the region, you, a first term Governor, was seen by the people as not just the leader of the PDP, but the leader of the entire Niger Delta region. You earned it, and no one could dispute it.
In 2019, when your re-election bid was being challenged ferociously, Rivers people once again stood solidly behind you. Many were killed in the process of defending your votes. Do you remember Dr. Ferry Gberegbe that was shot and killed while trying to protect your votes in Khana Local Government Area? There are many more unnamed and unrecognised sons and daughters of Rivers State who sacrificed their lives so that you could emerge as a second term Governor of Rivers State.
In 2022/23, Honourable Minister, you oversaw a party primary across board that saw some candidates imprisoned and internal party democracy jettisoned for your wishes, leading to the emergence of flag bearers of our party all singlehandedly picked by you. You have on more than one occasion publicly stated that you paid for all their forms. Even those shortchanged in this process licked their wounds and continued to play their roles as party members to ensure the success of the party at all levels. In what will go down as one of the most keenly contested elections in recent Rivers history, with formidable candidates like Senator Magnus Abe of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Mr Tonye Cole of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the vibrant youth driven Labour Party (LP), PDP emerged victorious across board except for Phalga Constituency 1 that was lost to the Labour Party. (Not that you did not loose in some other LGA’s but let’s stick to the official figures declared by INEC).
It begs the question, why then do you want to burn down Rivers State, when everyone who now holds political office emerged through a process designed and endorsed by you? Is it that you do not care about Rivers people and you are all about yourself? If so, I am forced to believe that those around you are not telling you the truth. The truth being that in a state where your words were law; where houses and businesses could be demolished or closed down without any recourse to legalities, where Executive Orders could be deployed to stifle the opposition, that your popularity is now at an all-time low. Probably because they are afraid of you, or of losing the benefits they gain from you, they fail to tell you that what you might perceive as a battle against your successor, has slowly but gradually degenerating into a battle against Rivers State and Rivers people. You know, there is a popular saying that, a man can cook for the community and the community will finish the food, but when a community decides to cook for one man, the reverse is the case.
LEAVE FUBARA ALONE
You have gone on and on about being betrayed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. You point fingers forgetting that some of those same fingers quick to spot betrayals point straight back at you. It is not Governor Fubara that has betrayed the PDP by working against it in the just concluded General Election, and working with the opposition at the State and Federal level to destabilise the party. It is you, Honourable Minister. It is not Governor Fubara that betrayed Rivers people by instigating a political crisis with propensity to escalate ethnic tensions in Rivers State. It is you Honourable Minister. It is not Governor Fubara that has declared himself God over all in Rivers State and has no qualms with burning the state to the ground to prove a point. It is you Honourable Minister. It is you Honourable Minister who told the world that the APC was a cancer and you can never support a cancerous party. It is you Honourable Minister who ended up facilitating the emergence of the same “cancerous” APC that has accelerated the economic decline of this country and further impoverished our people with no remorse. All so you can be a Minister of the Federal Capital Territory? The lack of self awareness is gobsmacking.
Some days back I came across a video where you talked about death and how you do not cry when you hear about the death of some people because you have no idea what might have caused it considering many a politician swear “over dead bodies” and still go back on their words. Those words made me think, and I could see the reason behind them. You see, in chosing to be God in the affairs of Rivers people, you have closed your eyes and ears to reason; you see nothing and hear nothing that can cause you to rethink on the path you have chosen. In your quest to “show Fubara” you have unwittingly united a vast majority of Rivers people behind him, so much that even those who despised him because of you, now like or love him, because of you too. In your scheming, I will advise you not to forget that “the voice of the people is the voice of God”.
Note that the war which you have or are waging against Governor Fubara, has gone beyond being merely political as you might see in your minds eye. It is now one that, fortunately for some and unfortunately for others, has evolved into a war against Rivers people. It is good to point out that no one has taken a stand against Rivers people and won. No one has gone against God and won. In your defiant characteristic manner, it will be unfortunate if you believe your own hubris and that of those around you on the possibility of you being the first to successfully go against Rivers people. It will be a needless gamble; one where if you win you create more enemies for yourself than you can withstand on your political journey, and if you lose, your legacy becomes an inglorious and irredeemable one in Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and Nigeria at large. For your sake as regards posterity, it is my greatest wish that you have a moment of sobriety and a deep reflection and introspection on this path you have chosen.
Honourable Minister, sir, what is left of your legacy is on the brink of being completely desecrated and relegated to the dustbin of our political history, and it will be a sad end to what I will say has been a wonderful political career that many can only dream of. The ball is in your court, and may God Almighty have mercy on us all and forgive us for our shortcomings.
Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson
Dr Pidomson is former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt and former member, Rivers State House of Assembly.
In 2015, I made a conscious decision to invest my financial resources, my time, and energy into supporting Nyesom Wike’s gubernatorial campaign. I poured my heart and soul into ensuring Nyesom Wike emerged victorious even at the risk of my personal safety.
Again in 2019, I doubled down on my commitment. I invested a significant amount of money to procure campaign outfits for all twenty-three Local Governments Areas of Rivers State. I spared no expense in supplementing Wike’s election efforts in my own local government, and once again putting myself at great risk to safeguard the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
However, despite my unwavering loyalty and sacrifices, I found myself abandoned and forgotten by Wike. Throughout his eight-year tenure, he failed to acknowledge my contributions or fulfill his promises and agreements. Even as a former Deputy Governor, Wike denied me my severance benefit.
My investment in Wike’s governorship was not just financial – it was a commitment of passion, dedication, and belief in a better future for Rivers State. Yet, his leadership style of dishonesty, greed, drunkenness and rash abuse of senior citizens brought me nothing but disappointment, misery and losses.
By the grace of God, today I speak not as a victim, but as a hero. I have accepted my losses, and I have moved on. And as I reflect on my experience, I cannot help but urge Wike to do the same and allow peace and development to reign in Rivers State.
Nyesom Wike, when you speak of investing in Governor Sim Fubara’s election, remember those like me who also invested in you. Remember the sacrifices I made, the risks I took, and the promises and agreements you left unfulfilled.
It is time for you, Wike, to let go of the past and allow Governor Sim Fubara the breathing space he needs to lead Rivers State forward. Allow him to focus on the challenges of good governance and the aspirations of the people. Spare him these unwarranted and ill-conceived political manoeuvrings founded on personal agenda and not for general good of Rivers State and her people.
I may have lost my investment on Wike, but I have not lost hope in the future of Rivers State. And together, we will continue to strive for a brighter tomorrow.
Long Live the Governor to Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara!
Long Live the Good People of Rivers State!!
Long Live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!
Engr Ikuru is former Deputy Governor of Rivers State.
Tele Ikuru
