I am pleased and immensely delighted to welcome you, on behalf of POSTERITY MEDIA, to this historic ceremony of the public presentation of THE GATEKEEPERS (VoI.2) and NIGERIAN JOURNALISM: 160 Years of Advancing Accountability, Promoting the Public Interest and Speaking Truth to Power. As a publishing and communication company, POSTERITY MEDIA believes journalists, and especially editors who act as media gatekeepers, deserve to be recognised and applauded for the tireless jobs they keep doing in ensuring that Nigeria becomes a country that offers hope and limitless opportunities for its people.
THE GATEKEEPERS (Volume 2), is a biographical work on 20 Nigerian Editors, Columnists and Media Leaders and their inspiring contributions to good governance and democracy. Some of those featured in this Volume include like the highly-respected Mr. Mike Awoyinfa, veteran newspaper chief and former MD/Editor-in-Chief, THE SUN Newspapers; Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, Chairman, THISDAY Editorial Board; Mr. Eze Anaba, Editor, Vanguard; Mr. Dare Babarinsa, Editor-in-Chief, Gaskia Media Limited; Mr. Debo Abdulai, Editor, Tribune; Mr. Azuh Arinze, Editor-in-Chief, YES International Magazine; and Mrs. Juliet Bumah, Editor, Sunday Telegraph, including veteran broadcasters like Mr. Bisi Olatilo and Mr. Tokunbo Ojekunle, among other distinguished media leaders.
This second volume of THE GATEKEEPERS is aimed at celebrating the lives and appreciating the inspiring and robust contributions of editors in our country just as the first volume which was released 10 years ago in 2009. ‘However, beyond the accolades, the project is also to inspire and motivate the media, as the fourth estate of the realm, to do much more in the collective quest to make Nigeria a better and greater country for us all where there is good governance at all levels, where all citizens are able to live meaningful lives, and one where justice, equity and the Rule of Law continuously reign supreme.
NIGERIAN JOURNALISM, on its part, is a series of essays and articles by renowned Nigerian journalists and media stakeholders proffering ideas and insights into how to improve Journalism practice in Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa. The book attempts to address critical issues and personalities that have shaped the history of Nigerian Journalism. It takes the readers down memory lane on how it all started, looking at the past, assessing media practice today, discussing issues that matter to the media’s continued relevance and sustainability, while projecting into the future. While all the editors featured in this edition have put in no fewer than two decades into the profession, it is important to state that the editors, columnists and media leaders featured in this volume are by no means the only outstanding ones in Nigeria today.
With many traditional and online media outfits currently operating in the country, we are cognizant of the fact that there are still other top editors, who have performed outstandingly well in their careers, whose contributions are equally as impressive and whose lives as well deserve to be celebrated.
The editors in THE GATEKEEPERS (Volume 2) are among the best and brightest journalists not only in Nigeria but on the African continent and, indeed, the World. They are worthy of being called role models to young reporters and aspiring journalists. POSTERITY ME[)IA is proud to showcase and celebrate them.
I’d like to use this opportunity to call upon all journalists working in government as commissioners of information, chief press secretaries to governors or Presidential aides to show more passion in advancing the Journalism profession and supporting worthy causes and initiatives for the good of our calling. A situation where journalists who get political appointments get into power and forget to work for the collective betterment of the profession or do things that bring journalism into dishonour and disrepute is unfortunate and should no longer continue.
We believe a good political leader should ordinarily be motivated by the welfare of his people and the betterment of society. A sincere, decent and patriotic leader would allow journalists do their work as watchdogs and not try to suppress or harass them.
And that is why more than ever before, this is the time for Nigerians and the corporate sector to support the Nigerian media. instituting fellowships, awards, story grants, training opportunities within and outside Nigeria, patronising media products and services, and generous advert patronage among others, would go a long way in helping to sustain the media and enable it to continue to advocate for a better country in which individual and corporate citizens all thrive well.
For supporting this historic project, we owe a debt of thanks to the Lagos State Government. Special thanks to the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso and their amazing team. We also specially appreciate veteran journalist and former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba, for his distinguished presence as Chairman of this event including all our Special Guests of Honour. We equally thank SIFAX Group, NIMASA, NPA and other individuals and organisations who played one role or the other in the successful delivery of this project. We appreciate everyone present with us at the Oriental Hotel this day.
Overall, it’s our hope that the personal stories of courage, faith, hope, hard work, commitment to excellence, determination, patriotism, loyalty and desire to make positive impact against all odds which are hallmarks of most editors featured in THE GATEKEEPERS (Volume 2) and NIGERIAN JOURNALISM, will offer much inspiration to the upcoming generations and motivate them to reach for greatness. Do have a great time. And here’s wishing you a Merry Christmas and a wonderful and fantastic Year 2020 in advance.
Sincerely, O’Femi Kolawole
Publisher/CEO, Posterity Media
December 17, 2019
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