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Tag: NUJ

  • Mourning the NUJ Three

    Mourning the NUJ Three

    On August 2, members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), who were returning from an event in Abuja, were involved in an accident on the Ibadan-Ilesa highway. Three of them died instantly. OLUWAFEMI OGUNJOBI (400-Level Language Arts, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife) writes that student-writers are still mourning the loss of these professionals. 

    Death, it is said, gives no warning and hurts loved ones when it strikes. This fact became poignant when three members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) died in an auto crash 27 days ago.

    On August 2, the union was thrown into mourning when Olatunde Oluwanike of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Ibadan; Adolphus Okonkwo of Voice of Nigeria (VoN) and a former Secretary of the Lagos State Council, and Kafayat Odunsi of Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) died in the crash on Ibadan-Ilesa road.

    Other journalists in the ill-fated NUJ bus were still receiving treatment at the time of this report. They were returning from Abuja after an official engagement.

    A deluge of tributes trailed the death of the journalists, with President Goodluck Jonathan leading the pack of sympathisers. Students, writers and press organisations on campuses are still mourning the dead journalists. While expressing their sympathy to the bereaved families and the NUJ, the students called for effective insurance policy for journalists that die in active service.

    “The death of these promising journalists is a great loss to the journalism profession in Nigeria. We know how important their activities were to this nation and their death has left a void in the profession. They will be greatly missed,” the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) said in a statement.

    Members of the Association of Campus Journalists (ACJ), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, chapter, received the news of the journalists’ death with pain. The statement by the leadership of the association reads: “Our members are grieved about the loss of our beloved role models in the field. We can imagine how painful it is at this time to lose three strong and vibrant members of the fourth estate. With this loss, we stress the need for insurance policy that will be of utmost benefits to media practitioners. We condole with the NUJ and families of the deceased.”

    A student-writer, Adebayo Caleb, 400-Level Law, OAU described the death as a tragedy. He said: “There is no doubt that this country has witnessed a tragedy with the death of these professionals. This single incident has depleted the newsrooms and robbed us of able hands promoting the freedom and truth. May their gentle souls rest in peace.”

    For the families of dead journalists not to be devastated by the sudden death of their sons and daughters, Isaac Mensah believes that there should be an effective insurance package for the press men. The Medical Laboratory Science graduate of the University of Calabar (UNICAL) called for establishment of national insurance scheme for journalists who die in active service.

    “I commiserate with the bereaved families as the death of their loved ones came at a time when their intellectual prowess and service were needed to engender national development. The accident tells a lot about the state of roads in the country. Any responsible government should be moved by the death of these patriots to ensure that roads are safe for the use of the citizens,” Hammed Hamzat, 300-Level Educational Management, University of Ibadan (UI), said.

    Philip Okorodudu, 500-Level Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, Delta State University (DELSU), said: “The situation is quite pathetic because it occurred at a time when journalists who are concerned about the level of rot in our national life and the precarious state of the nation. Their death is not only a loss to their families but also to the nation.”

    Damilola Olayemi, a Mass Communication graduate of Redeemer’s University, is of the opinion that the nation is passing through hard times. “There has been no time Nigeria is faced with gory story of death of its precious citizens that the present. How could such promising journalists just perish on the road? Government should bear it in mind that the press shall always defend the truth, freedom and justice. The death is irreplaceable,” she said.

    ‘The death of these journalists is an irreplaceable loss especially to aspiring journalists who could have tapped from their wealth of experience and knowledge. I must confess, the departure of the professionals is a huge blow to all journalists and the nation at large,” Taiwo Adebulu, a graduate of OAU said.

    David Osu, 400-Level Urban and Regional Planning, Federal University of Technology, Minna (FUT MINNA) described the death of the journalists as devastating. He said: “This is happening at a time when the nation is in dire need of fearless men who will challenge the polity and dimensions of governance with true journalism. We will miss them but their spirits are not dead.”

    Dhikru Akinola, 400-Level Political Science, OAU, said: “As a student-writer, I know how stressful and tasking it is to be a journalist. The death of these journalists should be a nudge for government at all levels to put in place good insurance policy that will mitigate the effect of death on the families of journalists that die in service.”

    “I condole with the family of the deceased. It is a loss for us all; a loss of giants who bore the greatest burden in nation building. It is a time to reflect once more on the nature of our roads. Government should live up to expectations and do something about those death traps,” Emmanuel Eca, a student of UNICAL, added.

  • NUJ arrests fake CNN correspondent in Bayelsa

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Bayelsa State chapter, on Wednesday apprehended a suspected impostor who was parading himself as a correspondent of the Cable News Network (CNN).

    The 36-year old suspect identified as Paul Yempe was immediately handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution.

    The suspect who was alleged to have hoodwinked unsuspecting government officials with his pretence was unmasked by the state Chairman of NUJ, Mr. Tare Akono who immediately reported the matter to the police.

    After claiming that he was working for CNN, the suspect could neither produce an identity card nor any document linking him to the broadcast company.

    He was said to have defrauded a few commissioners.

    He was said to have been found with an identification card of the Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation popularly known as Radio Rivers and a fake Identification card of the CNN.

    The NUJ chairman was said to have unmasked the true identity of the alleged impostor in the office of the state’s Commissioner for Energy, Mr. Akio Francis.

    He went to the office under the pretence that he wanted to conduct an interview with the commissioner for a purported CNN documentary.

    But luck ran out on him when he met the NUJ chairman in the same office.

     

     

  • NUJ faults delisting of national minimum wage from Exclusive List

    The B-Zone of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) yesterday said the proposed de-listing of the National Minimum Wage from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List is a step by the National Assembly to impoverish Nigerian workers.

    The union noted that the proposal, being spearheaded by the Senate, would make negotiation of salary difficulty for industrial unions.

    A statement by the union’s Zonal President, Dele Atunbi, said the listing of the minimum wage on the Exclusive Legislative List was to save the workers from shylocks who might want to take advantage of the free economy to enslave them.

    The union urged the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to protect the interest of the nation’s workers in the private or public sector.

    It reminded the leadership of the two trade unions of the dangers inherent in allowing the proposal to scale through.

    The NUJ added that the development would make negotiation of salary and allowances hectic for workers.

    The union wondered why the leadership of both trade centres was not invited to the public forum organised by the Senate, where the issue was discussed.

    It stressed that the deliberate omission of the labour movement from important public hearings on the matter was to impoverish the workers.

    The union urged the National Assembly to drop the anti-labour legislation in the interest of workers, who it called the catalysts of development.

     

  • NUJ mourns veteran journalist, Sowemimo

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, has commiserated with the family of Chief Soniran Oluwole Sowemimo, a veteran journalist who died last Friday at the age of 71.

    In a statement by the state Chairman, Mr. Wole Shokunbi, NUJ said the “demise of Chief Sowemimo fondly called SOS by professional colleagues and admirers came as a shock, because we had looked forward to August 19 to join the journalism icon in yet another memorable birthday celebration. But who can query the work of almighty God?

    “We, however, take solace in the fact that Sowemimo lived a fruitful life and bequeathed a worthy legacy to the younger generations. A veteran journalist, prolific teacher, consummate administrator and notable socialite, the late Sowemimo served as Chief Press Secretary to five former governors of Ogun State between 1982 and 1989. He was also a three-time commissioner in the state under different administra-tions.

    “Our SOS was also a renowned unionist; he served as the state NUJ Chairman between 1979 and 1981 and was the Chairman, League of Veteran Journalists, Ogun State Chapter from 1995 till his death.”

     

  • Youths tasked on productivity

    Youths have been urged to unleash their creative skills to engender intellectual works that will turn around their generation. This charge came at a public presentation of a book titled My time to reign written by Ayobami Ogedengbe, a graduate of Microbiology.

    The event was held at the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Akure, Ondo State.

    According to Ayobami, the 87-page book merges physical and spiritual principles, which he saod could make readers productive if motivation sections of the book were applied to life.

    The writer said he was inspired and pushed by God to write the book, saying: “When God called me, I had a mandate and he told me that He never call his people to seek him in vain. That is why I know that because I have Christ in me which is the hope of my glory, it is actually my time to reign.”

    The author pointed out that the book explained some fundamental factors upon which the greatness of man was based. He praised his parents for supporting the publication.

    Reviewing the book, an ace broadcaster, Mr Steve Alabi, said the book was made up of four chapters broken into shorter sections. He said it was a book of faith that would help readers achieve their potential here on earth, while fixing their focus on the ultimate price of salvation.

    Alabi said: “It is not a call to material things. Chapter two of the book begins with an admonition that the greatest step to greatness is the salvation of one’s soul, and this should be the first thing that one needs to focus on if he wants to be great in life.” The reviewer said the work was reader-friendly and would contribute to spiritual growth. He recommended the book to the public.

    In his address, chairman of the occasion, Mr Lanre Ogidan, said while other youths devoted their time to frivolities, the author was busy putting materials together to write the book. While congratulating Ayobami for the success of the book, Ogidan called on young people to engage intellectual ventures that would make them better citizens.

    The author’s parents, Mr and Mrs Ayo Ogedengbe, were happy on the honour brought them by their son. “We are glad that our son is doing this while we are alive,” the father said.

    The Ondo State Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Bode Famose, and a journalist, Mr Williams Olufunmi, who were at the event, challenged youths on productivity.

     

  • Group condoles Abuja NUJ

    The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has been called upon to maintain the ideals Adolphus Okonkwo, Kafayet Odunsi and Tunde Ojenike left behind.

    A coalition of civil society groups under the aegis of Civil Society Engagement Platform (CSEP) led by Mr. Emmanuel Nwosu said this during a condolence visit to the council.

    The group noted that Okonkwo, Odunsi and Ojenike who died in a ghastly motor accident last week while returning to their bases after attending the NEC meeting in Abuja, represented the struggle for better Nigeria.

    Condoling with the FCT chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Chuks Ehirim, Mr Nwosu said the NUJ should continue with the struggle in which the three died so that their death will not be in vain.

    He said the coalition shares in the union’s loss as the journalists were activists too who sought a better society, stressing the need to keep the struggle on.

    Nwosu said: “Pursue the same ideal they died for. We should ensure that the lofty ideal they represented must be pursued. That is the only way their death will not be in vain.”

    He said that journalists and the civil society have a lot in common, among which is the pursuit of good governance and national development.

    He said the coalition shares in the union’s loss as the journalists are activists too who seek a better society.

    He maintained that the society had condoned the assault, illegal arrests, detention and even killing of journalists in the country.

    Nwosu said members of the public should begin to stand in defence of journalists who go about their legitimate duties of sourcing and disseminating information to members of the public.

    He urged the union strengthen its synergy with the civil society to address all such maltreatments against Nigerian journalists for the good of all.

    While thanking the coalition for holding the three journalists in high esteem, Comrade Ehirim said the Union welcomes their call for synergy.

    He said the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Comrade Garba Mohammed would be elated to know of their visit to the council to condole the Union on the death of their colleagues.

    Ehirim noted that there was a great need for synergy the group canvassed.

    “I know it was this kind of synergy that earned us this democracy. After that, we all went our separate ways.

    “There is no distinction between the civil society person and the journalist as a thoroughbred journalist is an activist.

    “He fought for independence, democracy, good governance and now we are fighting for democratic process to be upheld,” Ehirim stated.

    The civil society groups comprised Advocacy for Change Initiative, (ACI), Save Nigeria Integrity Legacy Network (SNILN) and Transformation Movement Nigeria (TMN), among others.

  • NUJ declares 7-day mourning

    • Osun picks bills of survivors

    A seven-day mourning has been declared in honour of three journalists who died last Friday near Osu town along the Ilesa-Ibadan expressway.

    They died when the vehicle they were travelling in somersaulted after the front tyre bursted.

    Others sustained various degrees of injuries during the accident when they were returning from an official trip to Abuja.

    The deceased were Olatunde Oluwanike (Federal Radio Corporation Nigeria, Ibadan); Adolphous Okonkwo (Voice of Nigeria ) and KafayatOdunsi (NTA Tejuosho, Ikeja, Lagos).

    The National President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mohammed Garba, at a press conference in Osogbo, Osun State capital, yesterday, directed all the union councils across the country to observe the mourning period.

    He also directed that condolence registers be opened in all state councils and chapels.

    The Osun State government has also promised to pick up the medical bill of survivors.

    It directed the management of the LadokeAkintola University Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo to give the survivors the best medical treatment on its bills.

    Many Nigerians have continued to troop to LAUTECH where the victims of the auto crash are receiving treatment.

    Some of the early callers included Osun Deputy Governor, Mrs. Grace Laoye-Tomori; Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mr. Adekunle Amos and the President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr. Femi Adesina.

    Adesina, who is also the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of The Sun titles, said the death of the three journalists was a great blow to the media family.

    Governor RaufAregbesola described the incident as a huge loss.

    In a condolence statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Office of the Governor, Mr. SemiuOkanlawon, he described the incident as an incalculable loss to the media and the entire nation.

    The statement reads: “The death of these men of the pen profession was a sorrowful piece of news to me. The loss of three individuals was indeed terrifying and depressing.

    “Even though they have gone, we should be confident to look back to the realisation that they did not pass through this earthly world in vain.

    “They certainly left their names on the sand of time as ones who came, contributed their own widow’s mite to the growth, progress and development of their father land.

    Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, described the incident as devastating.

    In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Alhaji Abdulwahab Oba, in Ilorin, the governor said, “the death of the journalists while pursuing enhanced welfare for their colleagues has yet denied Nigeria their services.”

    He said the late journalists were “vibrant Nigerians who could have made meaningful contributions to the national process of promoting freedom of speech and democratic values in the country through the pen.”

    The governor noted that their deaths has again brought to the front burner the issue of insurance policies for working journalists in view of the hazardous nature of their profession.

    He urged employers of journalists to take a cue from the Kwara State Government and insure all journalists in their employment.

    He added that the government did the insurance irrespective of the journalists’ states of origin or the nature of their employment.

    Ogun State governor, IbikunleAmosun, described the fatal accident as lamentable.

    In a press release by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, MrsFunmiWakama, Amosun commiserated with families of the victims and the media community in Nigeria.

    The governor prayed to God to grant the injured speedy recovery and the deceased eternal rest.

     

  • Three journalists die in auto crash, NUJ declares 7-day mourning

    Tragedy struck on Friday night as three journalists lost there lives in an auto crash which left several others injured along Ilesa-Akure express way.

    The journalists who are  officers of the Nigeria Union of Journalists were returning from Abuja to Lagos en-route Ibadan when the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos state Council bus which they were travelling  in was  involved in a  ghastly accident.

    Sequel to the mishap, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo state council has declared seven days mourning for the departed colleagues.

    Those who died in the accident are  Adolphous Okonkwo, the national financial secretary of the union, Kafayat Odunsi from the Nigeria Television Authority (NTA) Victoria Island, Lagos and the Chairman of the Radio Nigeria, Ibadan Network Centre of the NUJ, Tunde Oluwanike.

    A release issued by Oyo NUJ Secretary, Comrade Rotimi Babalola stated that the seven day mourning commenced Saturday and will last till Friday, August 9th after which special interdenominational prayers would be offered for the repose of the victims; quick recovery of the injured ones and to forestall future occurrence of such incident among journalists.

    It added that all activities including conferences and social events have been suspended forthwith at the Press Centre, Iyaganku, Ibadan while condolence register has also been opened at Executive Chambers of the union for members to pay their respect for their dead colleagues.

    Following the mishap, the victims were rushed to the Osun State General Hospital, Ilesa, from where they were referred to the Ladoke Akintola Teaching Hospital (LAUTECH), Osogbo, where the injured victims are currently receiving treatment.

    Narrating their experience, the chairman of the NUJ, Oyo State council, Mr. Gbenga Opadotun said “We are coming from Abuja where we held a meeting and by the time our vehicle got to Osu area, the rear tyre of our bus burst and the vehicle veered off the road before we somersaulted about eight to nine times and finally crashed in the bush”.

    “It was a terrible experience because we lost three of our members in the accident. The rest of us involved in the accident survived by the grace of God”, he said.

    At the emergency unit of LAUTECH on Friday night, doctors and nurses were seen making frantic efforts to attend to the survivors of the accident, while the Osun state Deputy Governor and chairman of the NUJ, Osun State council, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori and Comrade Abiodun Olalere mobilised support and care for the injured officials.

     

  • Ode to Alade Odunewu

    Alade Odunewu is dead. The Dean of Satirical Writing (a la Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe) is no more. He finally lost the long battle to death. He was at death’s door when I visited him at hospital in January this year. But being Allah-De, he courageously hung in there and was on the mend a couple of months later.

    My friend, Jagunmolu Duro Onabule’s precise voicemail message jolted me, “Odunewu is dead.” Allah Akbar! A great mould is crashed. A strategic generational link is severed. Exiting at Ramadan season, a time he himself would have chosen had death sought his opinion, Hadj Odunewu, a devout, but liberal Muslim who did not stand on ceremony on matters of religion, must have laughed mirthfully at Death…Dearie me!

    Odunewu was an icon of Nigerian journalism. He started as a cub reporter drawing a huge influence from his brother, Mr Mobolaji Odunewu, a prominent editor of one of Zik’s newspapers in the east of the Niger. The senior Odunewu later became Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Information.

    Allah-De quickly established himself and in no time had learnt the ropes in the newsrooms of the Daily Times, Daily Service/Service Magazine and Nigerian Tribune. “Those were days when you left home to work in one newspaper and ended up with a by-line on another,” he once told me reminiscing humorously on the uncertainty of employment for journalists in his days. You were not sure when, how or where the next salary would come from. It was as if there was an unwritten caveat between proprietors and their staff. But the joy of having your story published with a by-line was satisfying for reporters.

    He forged ahead; immersing himself in a profession that made you popular but impoverished you and sometimes made you a regular “friend of the Police.” You were either fortunate or a spineless coward if you never had a brush with the law in your career.

    His lucky break came when he earned a British Council scholarship to read Journalism at the School of Modern Languages in London. He took the opportunity to gain experience working for various newspapers in Britain. He emerged from the school as the best Commonwealth student winning the prize donated by The New Statesman newspaper. He would later work as Managing Editor, Nigerian Tribune; Editor, Sunday Times and Editor, Daily Times.

    Alade Odunewu was my mentor. Just one interview with the renowned Muhammed Ali in 1964 brought me to his attention. The late Ademola Idowu, then his production editor on the Sunday Times saw me writing the exclusive story in the Daily Times newsroom on his way to the “chase room.” He stopped by wondering what kept me late in the office. He screamed when he read what the typewriter was reeling off. Odunewu decided to use the story as the front lead in the next edition of the Sunday Times. When he eventually became Editor, Daily Times in December 1964 one of the innovations he brought with him was the introduction of the Paul Pry’s Diary, a thrice-weekly diary of social events, which I wrote with consummate affection from 1964 to 1968. He was an old established hand in the business of satirical writing. To have been in his company for one hour was to have sipped satisfactorily from his inexhaustible fountain of knowledge of the ”world and its tenants.” He was just his pleasant, amiable self. Always. No cant. Just plain, good-natured Allah-De.

    He was a man of serenity. A man of vision and determination. Allah-De was a man of humility and perseverance. His ultimate passing at 85 should be celebrated with gratitude to God for his remarkable achievements. I will miss him in a very personal sense. But we shall always remember this:

    “It goes on, regardless of what happens to any of us, mortals; no matter which player quits the stage or which  one has just taken a bow to start his own performance. And the more one thinks about it, the more incomprehensible it appears, this phenomenon. Yes, life simply goes on.” (Extracted from And Life Goes On written on 22 December 1963 and published in his book, WINNER TAKES ALL).

    Good night, Allah-de.

    •Thomas is a Georgia, US-based consultant

  • Hearty cheers to Alade

    Hearty cheers to Alade

    As the Holy Book enjoins us to honour our fathers and mothers so that our days may be long on earth, we pay tribute to a distinguished father of Nigerian journalism and an accomplished Nigerian. We pay tribute to Hadj Alade Odunewu, OFR, fnge, informed commentator and acclaimed ‘dean of satirical journalism’. We salute a fine gentleman, and a leading light of the drive to enhance media professionalism as an integral part of nation building.

    He is 80 this Tuesday. The drums are already being rolled out. Newspaper interviews, feature articles are being published. Prayers are being offered. Editorials will be written. A book launch has been fixed. A party is to follow. Another book is being put together. All for a man, who seems to find it so easy to relate with all.

    What is it about Odunewu that excites us, media and non media men and women? For one, it is not everyday we come across our worthy ambassadors celebrating such a landmark; so novelty is appealing. Secondly, it is part of the measure of our self worth when we acknowledge goodness in others. Thirdly, in a nation acutely lacking in authentic heroes, it is always refreshing to find someone whose story is exemplary enough to examine and share with others. So collectively, we can say that society renews itself when it promotes positive values through the lives of its members who have worthy lessons to bequeath.

    As a professional, Odunewu is an enduring lesson in singleminded pursuit of an objective. Ever since he was in school in Lagos, Port Harcourt and Onitsha, he had been exposed to the writings of the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, who, through a chain of newspapers, was the leading public opinion moulder of the 40s and 50s. Odunewu’s elder brother, Mobolaji, was a journalist, who edited one of Azikiwe’s papers, The Eastern Nigerian Guardian. If young Alade’s interest in Journalism was kindled by the writings in the Zikist papers, his career pursuit was guided by his brother. Journalism was a good path to fame and public service. Odunewu was already familiar with the writings of Peter Enahoro and Ebenezer Williams and it is fair to say alongside the duo of Azikiwe and Mobolaji, the quartet shaped Odunewu’s initial journalistic steps.

    He was one of the earliest Nigerians to receive formal training in Journalism as he secured a Federal Government scholarship to study Journalism at Regent Polytechnic (now University of Westminster). Alongside obtaining his diploma in Journalism, he also won the New Statesman prize for Best all round student. His career began at the Daily Times in 1950 when he was recruited as a reporter. He later moved to the Tribune as editor/managing editor, 1956-57; Daily Service as editor, 1959-60; Allied Newspapers as editor-in-chief, 1960-64. He was Sunday Times editor in 1964, before being uplifted as the Daily Times editor, 1964-68 and editor-in-chief, 1968-69. He later served as CEO of the publications division. So, it can be said that Odunewu has held all the important positions in Journalism: reporter, sub editor, editor, columnist, editor-in-chief and CEO. He has also held some of the most challenging public communications assignments: Commissioner of Information, Tourism and Culture in Lagos State, Public Complaints Commissioner and Electoral Commissioner at the national level. His achievements in both worlds are commendable. Odunewu’s voice of wisdom from his columns in various newspapers from the 60s to as recent as three years ago rings loud again in his relaunched book, Winner takes all.

    Odunewu attributes his staying power in Journalism to ‘‘job satisfaction.’’ And feels that if he comes back to this world, he would gladly opt to be a journalist again. He has every reason to want to be. Apart from the top media jobs he has held, he has been richly honoured by the profession. From the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to the Nigerian Guild of Editors of which he is a past president, to the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria, to training schools like the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, to the 1999 industry-led initiative of the late Tunji Oseni where he was named as one of the 14 icons of Journalism development in 140 years of Nigerian Journalism. As part of the tribute to this much loved man, some of our finest writers are rounding off work on a major book, Nigerian Columnists and their Art—essays in honour of Alade Odunewu. A worthy addition to Journalism literature, contributors to it include: Adidi Uyo, Ben Lawrence, Felix Adenaike, Tony Momoh, Dan Agbese, Gbenga Omotoso, Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase, Stanley Egbochuku, Maxim Uzoatu, Eniola Bello and Ray Ekpu. The book, edited by Lanre Idowu, will be publicly presented in January 2008. It will feature references to the writings of such columnists as the late Olabisi Onabanjo, Peter Enahoro, Alade Odunewu, Sam Amuka, Gbolabo Ogunsanwo, Olatunji Dare, Tunde Fagbenle, Muhammed Haruna, Adebayo Williams, Azu Ishiekwene and Reuben Abati, to mention a few.

    Hadj Odunewu’s strength as a journalist lies in his intellectual depth, elegant wit, biting sarcasm and disarming simplicity of language. 57 years after he joined the profession, he remains not only a respected name in the industry but also a principal actor in the continuous search for journalistic excellence and responsibility. As chairman of the Nigerian Press Council in the last 13 years, Hadj Odunewu has lent his name and stature to the pursuit of that which is noble, fair and just in our profession. The unseriousness on the part of the executive arm on what to do with the Press Council, which accounts for the state of comatose it now lies despite agreement among media stakeholders in 2002 on what must be done to make it work, must be one of his regrets. We seize the occasion to appeal to the Yar’Adua government to look through the records, dust up the agreement and use it as basis to fast track serious legislative exercise to give us a Public-Private sector driven Press Council, which is one of the cheapest and most effective means of promoting responsibility in the media.

    Sponsor of the Informed Commentary category of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) since inception in 1992, Hadj Odunewu is also the current chairman of the Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA), where he appropriately also sponsors the Best Columnist of the year prize since 2006. Both award schemes have made unparalleled private sector contributions to the conscious effort to enhance professionalism in the media. Odunewu says the awards have impacted heavily on Journalism practice. ‘‘People are now conscious of the fact that they are being looked at; competition is getting keener by the year. Quite a good number of awardees have gone to greener pasture and have done the profession and country proud. We must commend those behind these noble ideas.’’

    In a nation where reputations are sullied at the drop of a hat, he is a man of means who has dined with kings and mixed with commoners and remains acceptable in both worlds. Modest in taste, dignified in carriage, he is a living testament that hard work pays and modesty is a virtue. May all those privileged to serve as public communicators find an enduring lesson in this virtue. And may the rest of Odunewu’s life be spent in good health, good company and good spirit. To the rest of us, let us pray with the psalmist that Almighty God should ‘‘teach us to number our days that we may apply our hearts to wisdom.’’

    Happy birthday, Allah-de !

    •Idowu is Editor-in-Chief Media Review and Trustee of the Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME). FIRST PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 20, 2007.