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By Qasim Akinreti
I am extremely proud and happy to join the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and other groups to sing a birthday song and extend best wishes to our father, leader, Columnist, Media entrepreneur and a complete gentleman man, Pa Prince Samson Oruru Amuka Pemu, (Sam Amuka Pemu).
As a Columnist, Papa pen’s name was “Sad Sam”. He is not a sad man in all respects but he is sad about the trajectory of our society, then and obviously now.
I had the opportunity of reading through his columns in the Daily Times and Punch newspapers as a student and aspiring Journalist back then.
My mentors in Journalism and Senior colleagues benefitted from Uncle Sam gestures working with him – Late Pa Kola Animasaun, Femi Abass and my uncle Gbenga Adefaye, were Alumnus of the Vanguard newspapers.
Baba Animasaun was a close ally of Uncle Sam, member of Editorial Board and a Columnist. Alhaji Femi Abass has a regular column in the Vanguard newspapers. Mr Gbenga Adefaye rose through the ranks to become the Editor in Chief, Vanguard newspapers and later loaned to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) as the Provost.
Directly, I am a beneficiary of Uncle Sam’s generosity. I applied for the position of Online Editor of Vanguard newspapers at the start of the Vanguard Online publication. My uncle Gbenga Adefaye requested that I send a proposal on value addition to the Vanguard Online Unit, when I returned from the UK after a Master’s Degree in Online Journalism, at the Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham. Some aspects of my proposal was accepted though I did not took up the job.
I had followed with passion Pa Sam Amuka’s silent revolution and immense contributions to growth of the Nigerian media. He worked with Daily Times newspapers, co-established the Punch Newspaper and eventually set up his own newspaper – The Vanguard, a trail blazer in Online Community newspaper .
Vanguard took the lead in Online Journalism community presence and stamp it’s authority as a leading Online platform.
Pa Sam Amuka Pemu, lived and has given his entire life to the media industry in a very respectable manner. He cares for Journalists and stand up to injustice when it mattered most. He saved Journalists allegedly accused of Coup plotting.
He conveyed a meeting between leading Nigerian Journalists and the security agencies at his Vanguard Kirikiri canal, to rescue senior colleagues from the military firing squad. This was done silently. That speaks to him humility, gentle mien and commitment to serve humanity.
As Chairman Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ Lagos state council,2017- 2020., I had the opportunity of discussing with him over the future of the Nigerian Press Council. I represented the NUJ President, Waheed Odusile at the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) – Nigeria Press Organisation meeting, in Ikeja.
Papa listened attentively to my arguments on a new approach to media regulation. He stood his ground on his views about the Nigerian Press Council (NPC). For him, an Ombudsman set up by stakeholders and not government is the way forward. I left the meeting with a renewed hope for the media industry. Thanks to our reverred Uncle Sam.
Papa is a man with wisdom and humility. His words are laced with the deep history of the media and he delivered “sucker punches” with calmness.
Papa is never driven by emotions but facts.
Today, Vanguard newspapers are reflection of Papa’s philosophy of service to humanity.
I doff my hat for you Sir. May your days be long!!!!
Happy birthday 🎉 🎂 and many happy returns.
*Qasim Akinreti PhD, Deputy Director Digital Media Voice of Nigeria, Abuja.
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