TELL magazine boss Nosa Igiebor asks the Big Question at the 10th anniversary lecture of journalist Dimgba Igwe killed by a hit-and-run motor driver. Here is the off-the-cuff speech he made which I recorded exclusively for you, my dear readers:
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What stood out for me, while reflecting on the tenth anniversary of the death of Dimgba Igwe whom we are celebrating today, is his humility and passion for journalism. Dimgba was a very humble guy. So is Mike Awoyinfa. Mike is soft-spoken. And they would tell you: Don’t be deceived by his soft-spokenness. There is nothing else behind that but he is a gentleman. Humble to the core.
I remember the first time Mike and Dimgba came to me. They were interviewing captains of industry for their first business management book: 50 NIGERIA’S CORPORATE STRATEGISTS—Top CEOs Share Their Experiences Managing Companies in Nigeria. And they interviewed me for a chapter titled: MANAGING A WEEKLY NEWS MAGAZINE. I asked them: How did Nosa Igiebor qualify to be a captain of industry?
The problem of journalists is that we recognize others but we hardly sing about ourselves. So they insisted and they did series of interviews with me. And the book turned out to be one of the best that I have ever seen. Especially, the way it was structured. I still commend Mike and Dimgba for that great effort. Subsequently, they published other books like NIGERIA’S MARKETING MEMOIRS, and a book on SEGUN OSOBA, THE NEWSPAPER YEARS.
What I would say really, apart from thanking Mrs. Dimgba Igwe for carrying on the torch of the family, because it is not easy, when you lose a husband or a wife. Especially at the time when the children are in the university and the heavy cost of their education. Again, it shows the power of the love you shared with your husband. And the belief we have in the Almighty God as the only one who can empower anybody. We thank you for raising and training the children up to the graduate and postgraduate level that everyone would be proud of. Those of us who were colleagues and friends, our prayer is that God will continue to give you that power and the grace to carry on with the family on behalf of your late husband.
This is a very officious day, I would say. We are marking the tenth anniversary that we lost a dear friend, colleague and brother. I was reflecting last night, knowing that I was going to be here for this event. And I asked myself: What would Dimgba be thinking now seeing the state of our nation? We can only speculate. But those of us who know him will know exactly how he would feel about the situation. And this is my exultation for everyone here. Nigerians, we are very stoic people. And we are also very tough people. But what I found disturbing is the fact that even in journalism, we have begun to accept the normalization of the abnormal in Nigeria. And that is the greatest problem confronting us. Today, we are in a situation where everyone accepts what is abnormal to be normal.
I remember last year in the heat of the campaign before the election, one of my nephews came to me. There was a question he asked me. If at this level, things we teach our children, the morals we impart to them. Things like: You have to be honest, truthful, God-fearing and so forth. They watch us turn all those upside down, in the name of politics. They no longer ask questions about those ruling us. That’s why we have found ourselves where we are today. And we have seen the impact of bad governance. It didn’t start with the present regime. Because we have refused to confront the monster of bad governance, Nigeria has been reduced to a joke. Not only among our neighbours, but continentally and globally. This one should really trouble all of us. It’s something we should reflect on very deeply.
What are we leaving for our children? What legacy are we leaving for our children? I am sure that Muyiwa Adetiba, the Guest Speaker of today’s occasion, I don’t know what he would say, but I assume that he will address some of these issues. I just told him I don’t miss his column every week. He is one of those who try to speak truth to power. That is what we all accept, that is what we owe our profession. We can’t stop speaking truth to power because Nigeria is at the crossroads. And we cannot come here today to honour our brother without addressing the existential threat facing our nation today. That is why I said last night I was thinking: What would Dimgba think of Nigeria of today if he were still around?
Again, I would like to thank those who have put the event together. Like it was earlier remarked, we should not wait for others to celebrate us. Because we do so much for this country but journalists are the least recognized. In terms of our efforts at nation-building. We have contributed more to Nigeria from the pre-colonial period, during the fight for independence and post-independence, than any other group of people or profession in this country. That’s why we must always celebrate our own. We must celebrate who we are, what we do, our profession is truly noble. Despite all the difficulties, the sacrifices we make, many of us remain committed to it with passion. And that was what stands out Dimgba Igwe and Mike Awoyinfa. The passion and commitment to journalism and our beloved nation Nigeria. And that’s why we are here today. To celebrate the memory of Dimgba Igwe, ten years gone, but not forgotten. I wish you all the best. Thank you very much.
