By: Tunji Okunlola
Leading figures in Nigerian media gathered yesterday at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, Lagos, to remember Dele Giwa, the celebrated journalist and Newswatch co-founder who was killed by a parcel bomb on October 19, 1986.
The occasion was the presentation of a book, Dele Giwa’s Granite Journalism, marking 40 years since his death. It was held at the Kensington Adebutu Auditorium. Attendees included former Ogun State governor Segun Osoba; ThisDay publisher Nduka Obaigbena; former Daily Times managing director Yemi Ogunbiyi; Biodun Shobanjo, former chairman of Insight Communications; Professor Ralph Akinfeleye of the University of Lagos; Tell Magazine co-founder Nosa Igiebor; columnist Chuka Momah; and NIJ Provost Gbenga Adefaye. Giwa’s widow, Funmi, and daughter, Aisha, were also present.
Presiding over the event, Vanguard founder Sam Amuka called Giwa a true legend and a patriot. He recalled Giwa’s well-known maxim that “protest pays” and said only a legend could have put forward an idea that has held up so well in Nigeria. Although Giwa died at 39, Amuka said, his legacy endures. He urged Nigerians to buy the book, calling it well worth reading.
Ray Ekpu, Giwa’s fellow Newswatch co-founder, described him as a gift to Nigerian journalism who brought sharp intellect and rigorous investigative work to the profession. Ekpu said Giwa’s death devastated the Newswatch family, whose efforts to identify his killers never succeeded.
Osoba, who headed Times at the time, recalled that the day before the bombing, Giwa had told colleagues at a Victoria Island event that security agents were targeting him. An urgent meeting followed between the journalists and Augustus Aikhomu, then Chief of General Staff, who promised to look into the matter. Osoba praised Giwa’s bravery and patriotism.
Ogunbiyi called Giwa a remarkable man who brought colour and energy to Nigerian journalism. Shobanjo described him as an enigma who seemed larger than life, and said everyone should be proud to have known him as a husband, colleague and friend.
Aisha Giwa said she was only a year old when her father died, but the stories her mother told her and her own reading have convinced her that he died a martyr.
The book was reviewed by Simon Kolawole, Editor-in-Chief of TheCable.
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