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MARCH 19, 2007 VOL. 20. NO 23

‘My Foray into Journalism’

Osa Director, Editor-in-Chief, Insider Weekly

–Osa Director, Editor-in-Chief, Insider Weekly
By Edward Dibiana
Why is your new book titled Suicide Journal ism?
My book is titled “Suicide Journalism,” because it is essentially my detention memoirs under the dictatorship of General Sani Abacha. I also took the opportunity to make some autobiographical sketches of how I became a journalist, even though I trained as a Bio-chemist initially and I also made comments on the penal system during the period and the state of the media generally.
What informed your decision to go into journalism?
In 1986, I was in my final year at the University of Benin, in the department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, and it was announced that Dele Giwa, the Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch have been brutally murdered through a parcel bomb. I read his stories from Daily Times to Concord and finally to Newswatch. I was one of those that read his stories, and I said I should pay my last respects to him. So, I went for his burial on November 8, that same year, and as the man was finally buried, I made up my mind that if this guy was killed because of his views, then Nigeria readers should be ready to see a stronger variance of Dele Giwa, that day I irreversibly donated myself to the profession of journalism.
During the military era, you were one of those that were detained. Do you have any regrets over the espisode that led to your detention?
Essentially no, because we went into that with a view of having a better society and one thing about journalism is that it is something like adventure, you know you just wanted to tell those who felt that they were superhuman that they were really nothing. I reflect with the good words of our good Lord that He shall use some people, and I was one of those instruments used to confound the strong. An instrument that God used to confound those who were strong, like the Abachas, Babangidas of that time.
Did the experience of that era impacted on your career?
It has given one visibility, it has earned one credibility and integrity in the eyes of readers and Nigerians. And it also opened doors to certain areas especially among the progressive minded Nigerians who feel obliged to say thank you for what you did for this country. So, generally it has impacted positively on my integrity in several ramification, to the extent that I absolutely have no regret.
What about your immediate family, were they concerned about your safety?
Yes, they were but the truth is, I think I’m even a weaker “rascal” compared to my dad. He was the pillar of strength, he saw in me what he could not do, because of lack of western education, so he always encouraged me to go on, to stand by what I believe, that is why I dedicated this book to him and my mum, who taught not only me but all the children the virtue of hardwork and courage. He taught me, the principle of courage under fire, and that you must talk the way you know it, not minding the consequence.
Recently, you were called to the bar, are you tired of journalism that you now want to take on other challenges?
Quite frankly, with my experience in journalism if there is reincarnation I want to be a journalist again. But the truth is that my father told us when we were growing up, that he was going to educate us to any level we wanted. When I entered the university I discovered that I have flair for writing, even though I was Bio-chemist and my father used to call me untrained lawyer, in our local parlance. I was very augmentative, as a matter of fact one of my hobbies is rigorous intellectual discourse.
After my Bio-chemistry degree and having practicised as a journalist, I said I have some time, so I went for an MBA, I have a masters degree in Business Administration, even while I was doing that, I still felt that I have some more time, so I decided to enroll for a Law degree. I believe that the mortal enemy of man is time management and if you can manage your time very well, having a lot of things to do, and I also believe that in this era of IT, in this modern age, the future belongs to those who work with confidence, and there is no gainssaying the fact that there is a thin line between journalism and law, that is you can easily co-habit. So, my training as a lawyer has further broadened my horizon, as regard constitutional matters and provisions, even though it has made me a bit conservative. Now I know I’m a bit restrained, knowing the legal implication of certain things I write.