The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Icon

Newspaperman as icon and iconoclast

Always fight for progress and reforms, never tolerate injustice or corruption, always fight demagogues of all parties, never belong to any party, always oppose privileged class and plunderers, never lack sympathy with the poor, always remain devoted to the public welfare, never be satisfied with merely printing news, always be dramatically independent, never be afraid to attack wrong, whether by predatory plutocracy or predatory poverty.”

The foregoing is extract from what Joseph Pulitzer outlined as the journalist’s covenant with society. Though speaking at a different time and space, the great 19th century American publisher could as well be referring to Dapo Olorunyomi, one of the sturdy prodigies whose commitment and courage undoubtedly helped redefine Nigeria’s media space in the past three decades.

The pleasant coincidence: the eponymous excellence prize instituted in the memory of the man who revolutionized America’s media practice is exactly a century old this year; Dapsy (as Olorunyomi is fondly called in Nigerian media circles) joins the sexagenarian club today.

Olorunyomi’s engagement with the Nigerian public since the 80s has relentlessly been in the crusading mode. His odyssey traverses the media, advocacy community, academia and public service. As Pulitzer enjoined, he forever seeks to parlay each platform not to secure easy accommodation with power, but shake the system in a manner that extends the frontiers of liberty.

Through the agencies of the Open Society Initiative, Freedom House, Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) among others, he seeks to build capacity for media practice not only at home but also at continental and global levels.

Again, through such, we are reminded of what Pulitzer had written in 1904 in The North American Review justifying the founding of a school of journalism: “Our Republic and its press will rise or fall together. An able, disinterested, public-spirited press, with trained intelligence to know the right and courage to do it, can preserve that public virtue without which popular government is a sham and a mockery.

“A cynical, mercenary, demagogic press will produce in time a people as base as itself. The power to mould the future of the Republic will be in the hands of the journalists of future generations.”

Against this backcloth, the freshest scalp on Dapsy’s professional platter is that of Abdulrasheed Maina, the pension scam artist. Since his Premium Times, an electronic newspaper, broke the story of his secret reinstatement in the federal civil service last month, things have, of course, not been the same in Abuja’s otherwise usually tranquil sleaze factory, with the contagion of insomnia and the gnashing of deformed teeth in high places.

So, when earlier this year agents of the Chief of Army Staff resorted to stentorian tactics and muscle-flexing around Abuja apparently to intimidate after Premium Times sensationally broke the story of Tukur Buratai’s swanky multi-million dollar property portfolio in Dubai, those who had closely followed Olorunyomi’s career over the years must have chuckled in sheer amusement.

Having held his professional head high, having stared self-professed blood-hounds in the eyes without blinking when it was most suicidal in the 90s, only amateur bullies would imagine the battle-hardened media General would now easily be rattled by mere barking at the door or shadow-boxing by some upstarts in the driveway.

If the term “guerrilla journalism” had sneaked into public conversation in Nigeria in the 90s (as brutal military despotism engulfed the country), Dapsy was among the daring tribe who, with the power of imagination and the written word, perpetually gave the presiding generals hell and, as a price, became the habitué of the gulag. TheNews magazine he co-founded in 1993 with the likes of Bayo Onanuga, Femi Ojudu and Kunle Ajibade was soon officially classified as enemy by the Babangida and Abacha juntas.

His subsequent involvement with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) can be situated around his natural instinct for activist crusade – the impatience to birth a more ethic-conscious society.

Indeed, while most historians may today readily ascribe EFCC’s early “revolutionary” strides and formidable brand it became within a relative short time to Nuhu Ribadu as the pioneer Chairman, not many know that the credit for the back-room exertions actually belong to Dapsy as the unobtrusive Chief of Staff. He certainly brought the organizational acumen of a shrewd manager and the forensic tenacity of a consummate newshound to bear. His boundless reach in the media community was easily deployed for EFCC. Which partly explains why even when EFCC would seem to have exceeded its limits in the line of duty, the attitude of the media then was often rationalization, if not collaboration.

Will Dapo Olorunyomi now stand and take a bow on his 60th birthday.

Re: Attorney Gen as ‘Atanni Je’

Law generally in our country has been eroded and thrown to the dogs. They are first and foremost lawyers (liars). No doubt this gentleman Attorney Gen (Atanni Je) has made a mockery of legal jurisprudence. That is how they behave in courts that a simple criminal case will last for years.

Elder Akinsanya, Ipara-Remo,

Ogun State: 07035575968

Great work! Powerful delivery. The Attorney General has through his actions since assumption of office shown that he lacks integrity as a person. He has been writing his unenviable personal history in the minds of Nigeria as a man too desperate to twist the law for personal gains. The shady midnight judgement he secured fraudulently to proscribe IPOB and despicable things he has done are still fresh in our minds. He acts as a sectional law officer. His days in office are numbered.

Gilbert Nweke, Benin.

How did you expect commonsense from someone who got such a sensitive post on a platter?

Lanre Oseni: 08022066663

Ever deep, incisive and daring.

Kayode Fasua, Lagos.

This is a very good write up; the best of this week from a courageous gentleman.

Denja Yaqub

Kudos to you for giving us the meaning of Attorney Gen in Yoruba. Thanks for the masterpiece.

Oloruntoba Abiodun, Lagos

AGF is simply incompetent professionally. His advocacy is low and a poor communicator at that.

08037136174

Love this piece for its uncanny word-smithery. Yinka Fabowale

I can only “cry for my beloved country”, Nigeria.

Chukwuma Dioka, Imo State: 08063286727

No better way to start the day. Thanks, Louis.

Wordshot Amaechi Ugwele

Brave and incisive. God save Nigeria from the “Atanni Je”.

Kenneth Aikoye Ademu

Frankly, I am often amused when people take Nigeria’s political office-holders very seriously. Not that there’s anything wrong with that because that should indeed be the norm. But, we all know that most of these guys were “donated” by political godfathers who have their own private agenda.. So, it is not surprising that the last two AGFs before him had corruption issues hanging on their necks. No doubt, Malami is on Maina’s gravy train and will do anything to save his neck, including standing justice on its head. If PMB wants to keep his anti-graft war on track, he should start waving his Fulani herdman’s knife right now.

Olu: 08033013597

God bless you, sir. It took Buhari how long to assemble these clowns telling us he was searching for angels to help him run the government? Alas, the angels turned out to be devils in human skin! Most of these guys in Buhari’s government are some of the worst elements to work as public officers in Nigeria’s history. I would not be surprised if these folks were complicit in Buhari’s sickness to use it as an opportunity to pervert the governance of the country.

Maria.

It took PMB six months to form a cabinet of the “best”. This is the “best” we got among lawyers to be AGF. I have ever been skeptical about PMB’s sagacity and I have not been proven wrong.

Gabriel Onyilo, Markudi: 07038364845

Nice piece as usual. However, we seem to be placing so much of the anti corruption onus on the appointed rather than the elected. These appointees serve based on the grace of the elected. If all you have highlighted concerning the AG is true does it not say something about the elected that appointed him without any consequences regarding his actions so far?

Emmanuel Odeh

November 8, 2017
‘Pope Francis is world rarest icon of humility’

Head of the Vatican State and leader of the Catholic Communion Pope Francis has been commended as the “world most outstanding living exemplar of sacrificial humility, inexhaustible love and extraordinary meekness”.

Senator Annie Okonkwo, a knight of Saint John international, made the observation at St Peter Basilica, Vatican City, Europe, after a privileged audience with the Pope together with his daughter, Dr Miss Nkem Okonkwo on August 2. The Pope blessed them and prayed for Nigeria on the Senator’s request. He urged them to remain flaming lights of service as global ambassadors of peace to humanity, and to Nigeria .

Okonkwo said: “You cannot experience Pope Francis personally and remain the same. Of course, I caught my miracle of spiritual rebirth swiftly and gladly, with a revived charter of love to all and ill to none, firmly implanted.

“It is now remarkably clear to me, why the centrepiece of Pope Francis Pontificate is on peace, love and mercy. This is because his total substance in its entirety, is locked down to his peculiar aromatic charisma, which resonates in a dedicated life of continual giving, caring and healing to all humanity, especially the poor, the weak and the vulnerable.

‘Yes, I know the truth is obvious, but I echo it loudly the more from the exhilaration of my heart and the command of my conscience, that His Holiness greatest sword of revival and evangelism remain his plain simplicity and open meekness”.

Capturing her own feelings like her dad, an equally elated Dr Nkem Okonkwo, a London Ivy league physician, said.

“The pure bliss of her hilarious experience is spiritually unforgettable, and I owe this Pope my prayers for canonization, and my awesome dad, a lifetime gratitude for this rare kindness’.

Okonkwo also visited the Nigerian Embassy in the Vatican where he encouraged the Charge’ d’Affairs, Anthony Stephen Awuri, and his staff to be faithful in their work and steady in their intercessions for the speedy return of President Mohammad Buhari to our the country in complete good health.

August 7, 2017
Asiwaju: An icon of democracy

Today, he stands as strong as the cedar of Lebanon, neither by his knowledge nor his wisdom alone, but also by his keen reflex, his courage and his bull-like determination to pursue a people-driven cause. It is rare in Nigerian politics, a country always in a state of flux, to have a man dominate the space for almost three decades. There are very few of leaders in this category. Some come like a comet, only to fizzle out like the foam from a detergent, some like a temporary whirlwind, only to be still at its short surge. Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu has been on the turf since 1990, unflinching, never waning, but increasing in strength and capacity by every minute of the day.

The history of the most reputable campaign for democracy in Nigeria will not be complete without chapters devoted to him, so also will the account of the movement to deepen democracy be incomplete without constant references to his name. Asiwaju has become a recurrent decimal on Nigerian political chess game, where he has assumed the status of the indomitable knight.

As a Senator under the platform of the Social Democratic Party,(SDP), Nigerian history would have been different if Asiwaju had collaborated with the then military junta to scuttle the will of the people and truncate their best expectations. He had offers. He had juicy plates put forth by the anti-democracy capons, being one of the most vociferous voices In the then National Assembly. Rather, he pitched tent with the masses, his private home serving as the launch pad of resistance against the uncountable arrows fired at the pro-democracy coalition, the only group at the time that stood against the tyrannical manipulations of the military class. Considering the enormous arsenal of the military and the marauding network of hawks, his decision at that time, like many of us did, was like standing bare-chested to face a fast moving train that was off track.

It was an epoch of killings and the nights of long knives. Asiwaju became one of the most remarkable figures in the campaign against the annulment of the June 12 Presidential election and the zeal for the enthronement of democracy.

Meeting and working with a man in a period of national adversary, is always a relationship that one should treasure and preserve. Our meetings had to be conducted in the darkest recesses, under the trees, in the motor parks, on the shores of the Lagos beach, in the underground garage and sometimes inside the mosques or churches in the bid to avoid the prying nozzles of the enemies. It also required a high level of trust and confidence in each other. Betrayal of him as a leader would mean handing him over for treasonable charges.

Asiwaju thought me that when you believe in a cause that is just, there should be no going back. From him, I learnt more that you begin to see obstacles only when you take your eyes of your goal. Asiwaju has a will cast in iron, his determination is etched in stone and his clarity of purpose cannot be disputed. He is firm, resolute and dogged.

In the tortuous history of the 1990s, Asiwaju was convinced that the will of the people would triumph. His family was as at great risk. His businesses singled out for assault and meltdown, his finances isolated for state-sponsored attacks, his home raided and kept under deadly watch, but one thing that could not be taken away from him was his will.

In the campaign for democracy in Nigeria, he gave his flesh, his soul, his energy, his heart and the totality of his being. His personal resources were invested in the tough campaign against one of the most formidable military institutions in African history. Going into exile became the inevitable option. While abroad, the enemies kept on the pursuit, recruiting covert agents to strike life out of him. For us at the homestead, the heat had reached a boiling point with many seized on the streets, killed or thrown literarily into the lion’s den.

Raising a global anti-military campaign was not an easy task, especially when you have to do it with virtually no resources. The result was the enthronement of democracy in 1999. It is to the benefit of Nigerians that Asiwaju kept this zeal till date which has helped in many ways to transform Nigeria and institute eternal democratic ethos. It is to the credit of credible leaders like Asiwaju that the future of democracy in Nigeria was defended with their own sweat and blood, to the benefit of all today.

Asiwaju’s determination to help sustain democracy is legendary. Within the contradictions of the democratic space, Asiwaju continues to stand out as a man of principle. It was no surprise that he was the only State Governor that did not lose the 2003 gubernatorial elections among all the Alliance for Democracy, (AD) State governors. He fought hard like a lion, against the enormous state machine of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) and amidst the cynicism of his peers. The result was that almost all the topmost echelon of the ruling party relocated to Lagos, all eyes on him and all state machinery directed at bringing him unto his knees. He won the battle decisively and convincingly. Since then, he has become the tiny bone choking the throat of reactionary elements across the country.

I have always had course not to doubt Asiwaju’s deep sense of judgment. Nigeria by 2014 was almost going to the dogs. There was a meltdown. Fear and trembling held the nation in awe. Terrorism was at its prime. Suicide bombers ruled a part of the country. Nigerian slipped into the red light district of mourning and affliction. The ruling party was helpless and hopeless, except to browbeat the people and hide her incompetence under the cloak of bullying.

When the whistle was blown in 2014, the race seemed so long, the hill looked too high and the task too daunting. How could a new political coalition uproot a political party entrenched for 17 years? How could the mountain be moved? Asiwaju was again singled out as the albatross. He was hunted. His home was seen as the hotbed for radical ideas that would latter humble the ruling hegemony. Asiwaju became a pestilence, a ghost, that hunted the foes from dusk to dawn. Offers came for him to back down, promises made, if only he could leave the stage, but it was too late. His alliance with the masses could not be thrown into the thrashbin. He already had his gloves on, right in the ring, and would not have let down the enthusiastic but toil worn audience, whose liberation from the fetters of iron was tied to the victory against the sham regime. But at the end of the pitched battles, Nigerians, led by the likes of Asiwaju, broke a jinx in Nigeria by defeating the almighty Federal Government in a convincing battle that brought the elephant down on her kneel in one big bang.

March 31, 2017
Icon returns with Emergency

Budding song writer, vocalist and performing artiste, Icon, has dropped a new track titled Emergency under the imprint of 2Digits Records.
Produced by Flyfree, mixed and mastered by Indomix, the track has been described as an afro street song. The dancehall song talks about a young man who is miffed by his girlfriend and taken over by a witty guy at a party. Emergency is presently gaining massive airplay.
The artiste has decided to choose the big industry players, Akon and the late Michael Jackson as his role models, and when he was asked who he will choose as his fondest Nigerian artiste to possibly do a collabo with, he mentioned 2Baba, rapper MI and Davido as those very dear to his heart.
2Digits is a fast rising music Management Company offering musical artistes and professionals a deal in music recording, publishing and marketing all around artistes’ management.
The music company, which set out in 2015 under the aegis of Mr Adedokun Abiola, has now hit the ground running unveiling the works of different artistes, one of whose new track is Emergency.

February 20, 2017
Spread Entertainment launches ‘The Icon Reality Music Show’

In a bid to re-shape the Nigerian music industry, promote content and quality in the present Nigerian music industry, Spread Entertainment Limited has launched ‘The Icon Reality Music Project’, a music talent hunt competition, aimed at turning out complete musicians who are talented not just vocally, but also in song writing, arrangement and instrumentation.

At the recent launch of the Icon Music Reality show at De Dome Event Centre, Enugu, Enugu State, Mr. Peter Anokwu, Project Director of Spread Entertainment disclosed that the winner of the first edition (Season One) of ‘The Icon Reality’ will win a grand prize of a brand new customized IVM G6 SUV, a recording deal with an international record label and a chance to perform at the WEDEXPO 2016 in Amsterdam and the PMAN awards in Dubai, UAE in 2016. There will also be prizes for contestants with the best song writing abilities, the best instrumentation and the best vocalist.

Sunny Neji, popular Afro-Highlife musician and one of the Judges of the competition said that the project will have positive impact on Nigerian youths.

“The advent of technology has made our musicians to abandon the basic essentials of music,” said the ‘Oruka’ crooner.

“In actual fact, many of our musicians lack stage craft, a downside to our burgeoning music industry that has ensured that a sizeable percentage of our musicians apart from recording their songs in the studio, cannot give world class performances on stage.”

The competition which is open to all will see contestants picked from five zones; Enugu, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos. And after various stages of screening and elimination processes, the final four will be selected through publicparticipation votes to the Grand finale at De Dome.

Contestants are expected to completed the registration form and upload a 60 second video/audio recording of their performance while singing, playing a musical instrument or doing both unto ‘The Icon Reality’ website (www.theiconreality.com).

These videos/audio recording will be used for stage one of screening. Successful contestants will be invited to stage two for further screening at the zonal level. Four contestants will emerge from each zone to represent their zone at the main boot camp in Enugu where they will be lodged at The ICON House. Each contestant will have to carry out various tasks while being tutored by dedicated musical instructors. The winner will emerge after other contestants must have been evicted via weekly eviction shows before a live studio audience.

January 21, 2016
Requiem for hospitality icon

Finally, Hill Station Hotel, Jos, once the pride of its owners, Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa states, has collapsed under the weight of woeful management, debts and neglect. YUSUFU AMINU IDEGU reports

Everyone loved Hill Station. It offered guests and sightseers much to savour: a solid architectural piece located on a rocky hill in an enticingly wooded part of Jos, the Plateau State capital. It was a meeting point for politicians and government functionaries, and a second home to tourists, many of whom foreigners who relished the temperate weather of the scenic city.

Not anymore. Hill Station is in the past now, its tangible assets carted off to be auctioned in the hopes that they would help to offset retirees’ salary arrears and other benefits. What about the staff who held on till the hotel last breath? Well, the best they can do is to probably hope for the best.

Located in the mountainous part of the city, the hotel once summed up the city’s tourist potential, its beauty and the people’s hospitality. Those days are over. The once glamorous and architectural masterpiece that was the pride of all has become part of history. Blame mismanagement and neglect by its owners, Plateau, Benue and Nasarawa states, which once made up the old Benue Plateau State. Unable to show commitment towards sustaining the fortunes of the hotel, the three states allowed Hill Station to go into oblivion.

Members of staff of the hotel were owed huge sums of money in salary arrears and other allowances. Its assets have been confiscated and probably sold off by retirees of the hotel at the instance of the National Industrial Arbitration Court where the retirees took their case to.

Everybody in the state knew that the hotel had been experiencing serious managerial and financial challenges for over a decade, a situation lodgers and members of staff attributed to poor management and governments’ indebtedness which runs into several millions of naira. It is also alleged that the management of the hotel has been insensitive to the welfare of staff, even as they accused the management of corruption.

General Manager of the hotel, Mrs. Mildred Best attributed the mess which the hotel is thrown into as emanating from the prolonged crises in the state which the hotel management has had to grapple with in recent years.

She claimed that the communal crises which have affected the tourist potential of the state made it impossible for guests to lodge in the hotel. She also identified stiff competition from better-managed private hotels that sprang up almost every day has also affected the fortunes of the hotel. For 15 years or more, the hotel has experienced several problems that have made it impossible to cater for the welfare of its staff and pensioners.

The hotel owed its staff for several years, and was once picketed several times by organised Labour; many of members of staff resigned due to the inability of the hotel to pay their emolument. Some members of staff stayed back, hoping the situation would improve as the management kept promising.

Things got worse. Those who left because they could not bear the situation were not paid their entitlements. The existing staff union keeps picketing the hotel and those who had retired believed that they had no option than to drag the management to court.

One of the members of staff of the hotel, Abel Madugu claimed that the hotel owes them salaries for 20 months while those who retired since 2006 have also not received their benefits. The retirees claimed the hotel owes them between N2 million and N7 million; depending on how long each retiree served the company.

In 2011, the retirees dragged the hotel to court and obtained judgment against the management. Without waiting for the execution of the judgment, some other retirees headed for the National Industrial Court and, in December last year, the court gave another judgment against the management of the hotel.

In the judgment, the two courts ordered the immediate payment of the benefits of the workers, failure of which its property are to be auctioned to the public to raise funds for the payment of the retirees. The total sum the company owes its retirees amounted to about N100 million.

The company failed to honour the judgment of the two courts and did not appeal any of them. This forced the retirees to return to court to seek an order for the execution of the judgment and the Industrial Court did not hesitate in granting the order.

Subsequent to the order of execution, the retirees came to the hotel in company of their counsel and the police to enforce the order. With the help of a truck, the court evacuated every property belonging to the hotel they could lay their hands on.

However, when the court and the retirees came to execute the order, a mild drama ensued as the General Manager put up a weak resistance against the execution of the court order.

First, she refused to receive the order of the court from the court Bailiff as she directed the staff to lock up the hotel and go home so as to prevent the court from having access to any part of the hotel. She fled the premises as soon as she gave that directive. Though members of staff succeeded in locking up the hotel rooms, they did not succeed in locking the bar and the conference hall.

So, the evacuation of the property began from the reception, the bar and the conference hall. Realising that her first option did not work, the General Manager came back and ordered the security men to lock the gates to prevent any vehicle from coming in or going out.

In reaction, the team went for police re-enforcement and when that was done, the General Manager discovered that the game was up and began to appeal for amicable resolution. But that apparently came too late as the truck conveying the properties had made several trips. By the end of the exercise, everything the hotel owned was evacuated, including beds in all the rooms.

Counsel to the retirees, Linus Shingshak said if all the movable properties are not enough to settle the N100 million debt owed the retirees, some buildings belonging to the hotel may also be put up for sale to recover the entire money to pay off the retirees.

Some of the retirees who came to witness the enforcement of the court order could not hide their feelings over the way and manner the company they served with the whole of their heart has treated them.

Abdulahi Mukhtar said: “I served the company for 20 years before I retired voluntarily. I deserved my retirement benefits, but since 2011 when I retired, the hotel has refused to settle the N4.1 million it owes me.”

Another retiree, Okoh Godwin Obotu said: “I retired in 2010 after putting in 21 years in the service of the hotel. I have not been paid my claims till date. I am among those who went to court.”

Among the retiree is a 75-year-old man, John Davou, who said he served the hotel for 37 years and retired in 2010. He said he and his family have been ravaged by poverty while he has N5.7 million to claim from his former employer.

He said: “I’m suffering. I’m no longer employable and my entitlement that should sustain me has not been paid to me in the past six years. I have been begging to feed and pay my rent.”

The General Manager, who was visibly angry with the action of the court, expressed surprise at the development, saying: “I am surprised at this development; I know the company is indebted to the retirees. They took us to court and I pleaded for payment by installments of the amount involved. I have even paid the first installment of N500, 000 a month. But all of a sudden, the court gave this order. I never expected this.”

On why the company failed to offset its liability to its former workers, the General Manager said: “The hotel has not been doing well because the crises in the state took their toll on the hotel. Up till now, business is yet to pick up in the hotel. I have been appealing for patience but they refused to listen to my appeal.”

People around the hotel were in shock while watching helplessly the forcible evacuation of belongings of the hotel. It was a scene hard to imagine.

While some of them argued that the hotel has just become a victim of mismanagement, others believed that the state governments that co-owned the hotel had brought about its misfortune.

Joshua Bala, one of those who witnessed the evacuation exercise said: “Our governments are bad managers. This hotel was expected to be modernized in accordance to current trend in the hospitality industry. But they refused to fund this hotel and they also refused to privatise it. Now, the hotel is gone.

“It is alleged that the Plateau State Government alone may have owed the hotel over N100 million. If it had paid its dues accordingly, the hotel would have been able to offset its bills. Now this has become a huge disaster and a slap on the governments that own the hotel. I can’t imagine that three governors will jointly own a hotel and the hotel is under-funded; this is shameful.”

Hill Station Hotel Limited was incorporated in 1954 and began business before Nigeria’s independence in 1960. It used to be one of the leading hotels in the Northern region.

It was initially managed by the Colonial Masters but was later handed over to the Northern Nigeria Development Company (NNDC).

As a limited liability company, the NNDC controlled 54 per cent of its shares. The remaining 45 per cent was shared among Plateau, Nasarawa and Benue state governments as co-owners.

However, the investors could not manage the hotel profitably. At the same time the three states could not lease it out to private individuals to maximise profit. With the prolonged conflict in Jos, the hotel lost patronage. It could also not compete with new emerging hospitality businesses in the city of Jos.

June 23, 2015
Anueyiagu, unsung icon of journalism
SIR: As political hawks hover about and around in their bid to grab power to, perhaps, enable them as usual, to loot the nation’s wealth rather than serve the interest of the people, anyone who grew up during the struggle for independence is bound to lament over what has been happening in the country for a long time now.

In particular, such a person is bound to be deeply touched by the news of the death of Chief Chukwuma Anueyiagu, a unique nationalist, who contributed selflessly and immensely to the struggle for Nigeria’s independence.

I remember the late Anueyiagu as the editor of The Nigerian Spokesman, one of Zik Group of Newspapers then published at Onitsha with the motto: That Man Shall Not Be a Wolf to Man. I still remember vividly his advertisement for news that read: If a Dog Bites a Man, It Is No News, But If A Man Bites A Dog, Then It Is News. If Anything Newsworthy Happens In Your Community, Take Up Your Pen And Write To The Nigerian Spokesman.

I also remember that he preached the five planks of ZIKISM on the pages of the newspaper to wit – (1)Spiritual Balance, by which is meant respect for the opinion of others; (2) Social Regeneration, which meant the jettisoning of all forms of prejudice, be they racial, national, tribal, societal, religious, political, economic or ethical; the realisation that an African is an African no matter where he was born; (3) Economic Determinism, which taught the realisation that economic self-sufficiency on a sane basis is the ultimate means to the salvation of the Renascent African; (4) Mental Emancipation, which states that the African must develop mentally as he is not intellectually inferior to other races, for mental slavery is worse than physical slavery; (5) National Risorgimento which assured that if the Renascent African cultivated spiritual balance, experienced social regeneration, realized economic determinism, and created a condition whereby he is mentally emancipated to appreciate his manifest destiny in the world, then he would expect national risorgimento.

Anueyiagu was one of the most erudite of such editors that carried out his own campaign with such zeal that beggared description. So efficient was he that served as editor of virtually all newspapers in the Zik Group. He served for six clear years as Editor-in-Chief of the West African Pilot, the premier and most important newspaper of the group.

Anueyiagu’s editorials were so fiery that the British authorities in Nigeria saw them as seditious and sent him to prison several times. A man of principle, who always had the courage of his conviction, he could not be

intimidated by the British imperialist.

One had expected that after independence the government of Nigeria would have recognized and honoured Chief Chukwuma Anueyiagu and others who performed as political foot soldiers during the struggle for independence (Mokwugo Okoye, Raji Abdalah, Osita Agwuna to mention only a few). But those in power after independence preferred to honour such persons as were described by nationalists during colonial times as Uncle Toms, political lackeys and fifth columnists.

However, God honoured him with longevity as Anueyiagu died at the age of 100 years in a country where life expectancy is below 50 years.

As Nigerians continue to develop the penchant for forgetting the people of yesterday, they spend so much time and expend so much energy singing the praise of the people of today, even when they are unworthy of such praises. In the process, they build monuments to perpetuate the memory of those who have left no memory.

But the men of today must realise that they themselves would become the men of yesterday only tomorrow and that tomorrow is very much in sight. They would be wise to stop polishing pebbles and darkening diamonds, start giving honour to whom it is due and to learn that, “When the high heart we magnify, and the sure vision celebrate and worship greatness passing by, ourselves are great.”
- Emmanuel Orji,
Awka, Anambra State
March 6, 2015
Icon Weekly begs Tuface

Icon Weekly, a Nigerian soft-sell publication, has retracted its story concerning sensational pop singer, Tuface Idibia, who was alleged to have been involved in an adultery mess.

In March, the weekly magazine literally sparked off some controversies when it reported that one Teniola, a Lagos-based banker and graduate of the University of Lagos, Akoka, was pregnant for the award-winning music superstar.

In its reaction, 960 Music Group, Tuface Idibia’s management, released a statement refuting the report.

Obviously miffed, the artiste later sued the publication for N100 million.

However, as the publishers of the magazine seemed to desire an out-of-court settlement, they wrote a letter of apology to the artiste’s management.

Upon receipt of the letter, Tuface Idibia’s management released it online for public consumption.

The letter reads in parts: “On behalf of the Management of Tegs Icon Ventures, publishers of Icon Weekly Magazine, I write in respect of our publication of (Vol. 01 No. 09) March 3, 2014 alleging that you were involved in an adultery mess with a Lagos banker.

“We admit that we failed to verify the source or contact your team (960 Media Group) for a response before printing the fabricated story. We have since discovered that the story was( false) and regret the embarrassment it has caused you and your family.

“We regret the indiscretion and hereby sincerely apologise for our errors as our reporter was completely misinformed.

“We hope you would accept our apology and forgive us.”

August 5, 2014
Akunyili, an icon exits
The shocking and painful death of Prof. Dora Akunyili, former Minister of information and Communication on Saturday, June 7, is a personal loss to me. She was a friend and a sister; but most importantly, a true national reputation icon, who through her national service enhanced significantly the image of our country inside and outside. She was immensely passionate and honest in everything she did. Oh, death is so cruel!

One day in July 2004, I dedicated my column in BusinessDay to analyze the personality of Dora, at that time Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC). It was titled: “Dora Akunyili: A Public Relations Case Study.” That same day, my telephone rang, and behold, it was Akunyili on the other end. I didn’t know how she got my telephone number since we didn’t have any personal relationship.

“Is that Jossy?” she asked in a soft voice. “Yes, who am I speaking with?” I asked. “My name is Dora Akunyili. I am calling to thank you immensely for your article today. You have lifted my spirit today with every word you penned in that article. Daalu nwannem, daalu (thank you my brother, thank you!”) I was deeply touched by such action of a public officer who took out time to appreciate a kind word.

As part of my heartfelt tribute to this unforgettable woman of our time, I wish to recall hereunder an excerpt from that article I wrote 10 years ago:

“We have said several times that Public Relations is not about telling lies to present a bad person, government, organisation, product or service in good light. Telling people that black is white; deceiving people into believing that something is good when actually it is not.

“Public Relations helps governments, organisations and individuals to build a good image and reputation through good character, good behaviour, people-oriented policies and programmes, excellent products and services, sincerity of purpose, honesty, integrity and transparency.

“Today, let’s use Dr. (Mrs) Dora Nkem Akunyili, the Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration (NAFDAC) as a case study in Public Relations. On Wednesday, July 14, 2004, she clocked 50 and the birthday anniversary was more of a national celebration and a time to pray for a woman who has shown in more ways than one that things can actually work in Nigeria.

“She has shown that people who are sincerely committed to national service can actually make a difference in public life. And everyone sees what she is doing. Without fear or favour, without sentiment of tribe or religion, and without pandering to the sweet smell of money, she has done her job creditably.

In Nigeria today, the fear of NAFDAC is the beginning of wisdom for producers of drugs, cosmetics, beverages, canned foods and even “Pure Water”. Does that medicine have a NAFDAC Number? What is the expiry date? Is that product fake or genuine? Almost all Nigerians now ask these questions before they buy or consume any of the products regulated by NAFDAC. Even the poor, thirsty man on the street would not buy a sachet of pure water unless he is sure it has NAFDAC certification.

“Before the Iron Lady came on board, NAFDAC was almost moribund. Producers and importers of fake, adulterated or substandard drugs and food items had a field day – killing millions of innocent Nigerians and smiling daily to their blood money. Nobody dared the barons because they were regarded as deadly and untouchable.

“But when Akunyili came, she dared the dangerous lions in their dens. Several times, they tried to kill her but the collective prayers of Nigerians saved her life. I have not seen any other Nigerian who is so genuinely loved by the public as Dr. Mrs Akunyili. I wonder how Nigeria would be if there were 50 other persons in executive positions in government who are like Dora Akunyili.

“Some other person in NAFDAC could have just sat back to become a multi-billionaire by conniving with criminals at the expense of 140 million Nigerians. Such a person could buy pages of newspapers or airtime on radio and television to tell us that he is our messiah. He or she would pay for chieftaincy titles to glorify himself or herself. It is not so with our dear Dora!

A Public Relations delight

“You may be wondering where Public Relations comes in here. Oh, everything! Dr. Mrs Akunyili is a PR delight. Marketers of the old school say that a good product sells itself. This is quite true of our NAFDAC boss. She does not need anyone to lie that she is doing something positive. What she is doing is there for all to see! What she has achieved so far is not hidden. No gimmicks. No white-washing. No magic. No abracadabra!

“As an analyst, I can place Akunyili’s success story on seven pillars: firstly, Dr. Mrs Akunyili, a consultant pharmacologist at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Nsukka was quite qualified for the job she was given. So it was not just a case of man-know-man. Secondly, she came to NAFDAC with a clear vision of what she wanted to do. With her experience as a pharmacologist, she knew what to do right from day one.

Thirdly, she set a goal for herself and has been working assiduously to achieve that goal. Fourthly, she seems to be a team player, the manager who carries his subordinates along; who gives them a sense of belonging; who gives them their own tasks to perform and follows them up with supervision; who motivates staff, rewards excellence and honesty and disciplines erring staff.

“Fifthly, she seems to be one who leads by example. No double standards. When she says “don’t take bribe,” she too abides by it. She does not recognize sacred cows. She is not corrupt. She is diligent and hardworking. Although she is cheerful, she is firm and decisive in her actions. She is sincere in her dealings. She is a no-nonsense personality.

“Sixthly, she seems to be a good family woman – a wife and mother.

Seventy, and most importantly, she is godly. This is important for genuine success (The Bible calls it good success!) and divine protection. She does not need to pay the so-called prayer warriors and powerful men-of-God to receive divine protection.

“I don’t think Mrs Akunyili is a saint, though. As a mortal, she cannot be perfect. In fact, she has never claimed to be perfect but if we put her and others on a scale, we can say without fear of contradiction that she is, indeed, good!

Her tract record, her character and her achievements have earned her good image. Today, she has a good reputation she worked for. Criminals dread her. The godly honour her. Everyone respects her. Happy belated birthday, madam!”

In the same vein, may I humbly say, adieu adorable Dora. May your very gentle soul rest in perfect peace, amen!
- Dr Nkwocha, is head, Corporate Communications Indorama Eleme Petrochemicals Limited (IEPL), Port Harcourt.
June 13, 2014
The making of a business icon

Cutting her teeth early in the business world, Nancy Ndukwe, Chief Executive, Chaurme Signature, has built a successful network of businesses in sales, wellness, make-up and other body care endeavours. DANIEL ESSIET reports.

As a nine year old, spending time in her father’s pharmaceutical store, obviously had an impact on her-albeit, unconsciously. And as she helped her father with his sales, Nancy Ndukwe, Chief Executive, Chaurme Signature, recalls being fascinated by fragrance and beauty, attracted to wellness, making up people, while attending to clients that thronged her dad’s pharmacy. This fascination inspired her to want to start her own business.

Depsite bagging a degree in microbiology from the Ogun State University, the entrepreneurial desire in her did not wane. She continued to explore different ways to achieve her goals, which led to the birth of Chaurme Signature.

Ably complemented by the extensive marketing experience she acquired during her trading days as a student in her father’s pharmaceutical store, Miss Ndukwe soon realised that there was increasing focus on healthy living, including balanced nutrition and exercise.

For the unrelenting young entrepreneur, the saying that in every adversity is an opportunity, aptly applies. This is because, after her personal struggle with skin sensitivity problem, Ndukwe later discovered that there was a need for her services as her friends battling with similar skin problem consulted her for solution, wanting to use everything she used to cure hers.

Ndukwe, whose business antennas don’t miss any opportunity, immediately launched into skincare and wellness business. Today, Ndukwe is into big time business, selling pharmaceutical products and found great demand.

As an entrepreneur of many parts, Ndukwe is also a makeup artist. She helps clients look their best for weddings or other special events, give beauty tips to people who want to update their everyday image. “I have ability to switch off when I want to or be more aggressive when I choose to. It also gives me more time for family issues,” she said.

Her success in getting clientele came largely from word-of-mouth. However, it is also a lot of marketing effort – a lot of letters, a lot of phone calls, she said. Her skills at networking has also helped increase her customer base.

It has however, not been all rosy. She has had to improve on working capital, debt management, time management, managing demand and keeping clients happy. Making her clients to feel completely pampered, even as she focuses on their wellness and natural beauty needs remain her priority.

One excitement for Ndukwe is the desire to always support women who would like to start their own business and creating something for them while nurturing others and enhancing their well-being and natural beauty. She reckons that women experience a transformation through technologically advanced, nutrient-rich, and high performance formulations. These improve their appearance, overall skin health, as well as provide environmental protection. As the business grows, she now pays more attention to acquiring tools for the business. “Now I have a consultation room, planning to get a store front with my partner. I have considered partnership as a way of injecting further capital into the business,” she said excitedly.

Some entrepreneurial lessons from this astute business woman includes personal attitudes or characteristics for success, which should be in the form of patience and prayer. Ndukwe believes that any business dealing especially with women, requires loads of patience.

And what gives further satisfaction to this entrepreneur, she said: “Seeing a woman smile and exude much confidence, excites me and that is what I want to create in every woman. For me, success is to be able to find balance, time for family, be able to give without having to worry,” she said.

June 11, 2014