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Tag: Amuka-Pemu

  • Governor Oborevwori celebrates Amuka-Pemu at 90

    Governor Oborevwori celebrates Amuka-Pemu at 90

    Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has extended warm felicitations to veteran journalist and Publisher of Vanguard Media Limited, Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, CON, popularly known as Uncle Sam, on the occasion of his 90th birthday.

    Oborevwori in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, in Asaba, praised Amuka-Pemu, a distinguished son and leader from Delta State, for his remarkable contributions to the media industry and nation-building.

    The Governor lauded Amuka-Pemu’s unwavering commitment to ethical journalism, his consistent fight against corruption, and his strong advocacy for good governance and the rule of law. 

    He also commended Amuka-Pemu’s illustrious career spanning over six decades, noting the veteran journalist’s enduring impact on Nigerian journalism.

    The Governor said: “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Mr. Sam Amuka-Pemu, our father, leader, and esteemed statesman on his 90th birthday, on behalf of my family, the government, and the good people of Delta State.

    “Uncle Sam, as he is fondly called, has made a lasting and significant contribution to the Nigerian press, evident in the growth of Vanguard Newspapers and his principled stance on issues of law, good governance, and anti-corruption.

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    “We owe you a debt of gratitude for your lifelong dedication to transforming journalism in Nigeria through sharp editorials, factual reporting, and impartial coverage.

    “It gives me great joy to join your family, friends, and well-wishers in thanking Almighty God for His steadfast provision, protection, and guidance throughout your remarkable 90 years.”

    Oborevwori expressed deep appreciation for Amuka-Pemu’s outstanding service and wished him continued good health and many more years of meaningful contributions to the nation.

  • National honours: Obasa salutes Amuka-Pemu, Onanuga, Babarinsa, other journalism icons

    National honours: Obasa salutes Amuka-Pemu, Onanuga, Babarinsa, other journalism icons

    Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has commended the national honours recently conferred on several prominent journalists for their outstanding contributions to the growth of democracy in Nigeria.

    Among the honourees celebrated by Obasa are Sam Amuka-Pemu, publisher of Vanguard newspapers; Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; veteran columnist, Dare Babarinsa; and Dapo Olorunyomi, founder and publisher of Premium Times.

    Others include Kunle Ajibade, Executive Editor at TheNews; Seye Kehinde, publisher of City People magazine; Nosa Igiebor, Editor-in-Chief of TELL magazine; and the late Bagauda Kaltho, a senior correspondent with TheNews, who tragically lost his life in a 1996 bomb blast in Kaduna State.

    The decorated media icons were among 139 Nigerians honoured by President Tinubu during the June 12 Democracy Day celebrations for their significant roles in promoting and defending democratic values.

    Speaker Obasa’s tribute was conveyed in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Research, Media, and Documentation, Adeshina Oyetayo, in which he praised the journalists for their courage, resilience, and lasting impact on Nigeria’s democratic evolution.

    According to him, “It is heartwarming to see these journalism greats being honoured for their courage, resilience, and steadfastly using the power of their pen to fight the tyranny of military dictatorship, risking their lives and livelihood, braving the odds, the guns, and arbitrary arrests and imprisonment, to fight for the enthronement, growth, and survival of democracy in Nigeria. They are the true heroes of our democracy. They deserve all the honour bestowed on them.”

    Obasa further thanked them for their labour of love and sacrifices for Nigeria and implored them to keep their passion for a better society aflame and alive. He implored them not be slowed down by age or any existential issue. 

    “The Nigeria you risked it all for is almost here. And we need you to continue to be the watchdog of our democracy,” Obasa stated. 

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    Interestingly, Amuka-Pemu, whom President Tinubu described as ‘a legendary journalist and publisher that has remained true to his lifetime calling’ , could not have got a more fitting 90th birthday gift than the conferment of the Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON) title on him. Amuka-Pemu, founder of The Vanguard newspaper, turns 90 on Friday, June 13.

    Like Amuka-Pemu; Onanuga, founder of TheNews magazine, and Babarinsa, co-founder of TELL magazine, were also conferred with the CON title. Olorunyomi, Ajibade, Igiebor, and Kehinde got the Officer of the Order of the Niger, OON, title.

    Conversely, Kaltho, who got a posthumous OON, was one of the journalists who paid the supreme price during the despotic regime of the late General Sani Abacha.