Newly unveiled media book represents significant contribution to media industry – practitioners

Media proprietors, editors and experts who gathered at the unveiling of the new book on 75 years of Nigerian media took time one after the other at Eko Hotels, venue of the book presentation, to eulogise the work they say will fill any existing gap in the study of Nigerian media.

The book, Nigerian Media Leaders: Voices Beyond the Newsroom, edited by media scholar, Richard Ikiebe of the School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos, features conversations with more than 80 media leaders across print, broadcast and the academia on their contributions, challenges and exploits.

The serious traffic jam on Lagos roads on Tuesday could not hold back the media experts from witnessing the historic event as those who spoke commended the determination and painstakingness of Richard and his team in producing a memorable book on Nigerian media that will guide next generations.

The work, spanning 1935 to 2010, also covers various themes of media leadership and management, circulation and distribution, readership, changing media landscape, media and military, as well as the effects of social media and changing demographic patterns.

Commending the author, Segun Osoba, former governor of Ogun State and one-time managing director of Daily Times between 1984 and 1989, said the book, which touched most aspects in Nigerian media industry, was not only historic but celebration of media experts.

He said Nigerians should continue to keep records, especially in this time of internet so that next generations could find books on the history of the media.

While commending the work, which took Richard and his team about 30 months to produce, Femi Adesina, the SSA media to President Muhammadu Buhari, sought for deepened media partnership with the government.

He promised to work within the tenets of Freedom of Information to support journalists in their work.

Also speaking, former Nigeria’s high commissioner to UK, Christopher Kolade, commended the book and urged the media to continue to give prominence to important issues about the nation.

He said: “If we allow the political party culture to become dominant in nation discourse, then we lose sight of governance. It is more important for those who accept responsibility to serve the nation instead of the political party. This is why these little augments in the National Assembly should be played down and let us put the nation in focus and uphold the nation.”

He challenged the media to continue to give prominence to the important things, saying “if you give prominence to what is secondary and leave primary things, then the media is not helping the nation.”

Frank Aigbogun, publisher, BusinessDay, believed that the book represented a significant contribution to the knowledge of the Nigerian media.

The chairman of the occasion, Ajibola Ogunshola, ex-chairman of Punch Newspapers, commended Richard Ikiebe on the book, saying the work was a welcome development for documenting history of Nigerian media.

Nosa Igiebor, publisher, Tell Magazine, said the book was a major event for the media profession and the industry generally.

“It is a book that did not only celebrate major players in the profession, but also serves as a guide to younger generation”. He said whatever challenge that is facing the media industry; the media profession and the industry remain a key pillar in sustaining Nigeria’s democratic system.” Without a strong and independent media, the future of our democracy has a big question. So, to that extent what Richard has done is wonderful,” he said.

In his commendation, Vincent Maduka, Senior Fellow School of Media and Communication, Pan Atlantic University said those who were profiled have contributed to stock of knowledge, which we need in this country to move forward.

For Clem Baiye, former chairman, Editorial board of New Nigerian Newspapers, the book is a great effort. According to him, the Nigerian media needs an academic and practically an oriented study of the Nigerian media and the book has talked to the very great ones. “I really appreciate the work it is a good work”, he said.

Clem who is member board of Marketing Information Services Limited and publisher of Manufacturing Today challenged the present journalists to continue to work hard to sustain journalism.

Some of those featured in the work include Sam Amuka, Patrick Dele Cole, Christopher Kolade, Vincent Maduka, Segun Osoba, Garba Shehu, Tony Momoh, Lade Bonuola, Ray Ekpu, Kevin Ejiofor, Muhammed Haruna, Adamu Ciroma, Doyin Abiola, Areoye Oyebola, Ted Iwere and Laban Namme. It also included John Momoh, Frank Aigbogun, Femi Kusa, Kabir Yusuf, Idowu Sobowale and Festus Adesanoye.