Ignorance of who he is, some actually mistake him for ordinary fellow for his modest and simple look. He doesn’t look rich, but he is richer in many respects- rich in thoughts and mighty in words which his pen has translated to smiles and laughter on the faces of many. He is an undisputed living father, grandfather of countless numbers of Nigerian journalists who cannot deny drinking from Sam Amuka’s fountain of knowledge either directly or indirectly.
Media experts and industry chiefs all gathered recently at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, to honour ‘Uncle Sam’ as the publisher of Vanguard Newspaper and life patron of the Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN) is fondly called by admirers and ‘media children’ with a book launch and lecture that address the future of journalism in the country to celebrate his 80th birthday.
The book, the organisers said, was a tribute to Amuka’s role and his place in the media, which has endeared him to many Nigerian journalists both old and young.
President Muhammadu Buhari was not left out in the outpouring of tributes on the Nigerian media icon. In a statement he personally signed in commemoration of Amuka’s birthday, Buhari described him as “talented gentleman of the press” and added that Nigeria had been well served by the presence of “the legendary Sam Amuka in the media in the capacity of journalist and columnist with the Daily Times Group, of which he served as Editor of the Sunday Times.
“This event provides an opportunity for me and my family and indeed millions of fellow Nigerians, who have in the past three decades been readers of products from media houses with which he has been involved.
“The contributions by this veteran journalist to the progress of the Nigerian Press have been manifested not only in the growth and management of the Punch Newspaper and the Vanguard Media Limited of which he became chairman and publisher in 1984, but also the principled positions he has consistently taken on political stability, accountability and the rule of law. These were clearly demonstrated by his promotion of professionalism by the rank and file of the Police, particularly in the conduct of elections and efficient performance of their duties in every part of the federation”, the President said of Sam Amuka.
Bukola Saraki, the Senate president, who was represented at the event by Senator Gbenga Makanjuola, said younger journalists should draw inspiration from Amuka’s wisdom and professional conducts and that Amuka’s virtues were worthy of emulation.
In the same vein, in goodwill message, Orji Kalu, former governor of Abia State, and publisher, The SUN and New Telegraph newspapers, said through his column “Sad Sam”, he provided readers fulfilment and mental satisfaction.
“Uncle Sam, I wish to convey my sincere congratulations to you and your family as you clock the glorious age of 80. With over five decades in journalism, you have remained a shining star in the industry. Despite your age, you continue to inspire and motivate the younger generation in the profession including my good self. To clock the age of 80 is a special grace from God and it is my prayer that He will grant you longer life and continued blessings in the service to humanity,” he said.
Mike Awoyinfa, Nigerian veteran journalist, said: “At 80, how I wish he is still writing his ‘Sad Sam’ column as is the trend in the journalism world out there far beyond our shores where old journalists still ply their trade till death do them part. Like wine, their writing tastes mature, tastes better and better with age. They have seen it all. For them, there is nothing new under the sun.”
According to him, as a young man, he had done everything he too did; turned column-writing into everything, into an art, into an adventure, into drama, into a narrative of the life of ordinary people, interesting people, telling their untold stories.
“In those days of innocence, Sam Amuka as ‘Sad Sam’ used to go about town, venturing into sometimes dangerous and forbidden places, looking for stories to turn into a column. Such an audacious and daring journalist he was! ‘A good journalist must be daring,’” he told me. ‘“You must not be afraid of anything. You must not be afraid to ask any question. In journalism, there is this maxim that ‘knock many doors, there is a story,’” said Awoyinfa of Sam Amuka.
He said in an age where news is now mainly sourced online, Amuka still loves the crispness and the freshness of a daily newspaper which he compares to the birth of a new baby every new day.
One constant thread that ran through the comments during the book lunch was Uncle Amuka’s virtue of being humane as reflected in his exceptional love for humanity, especially in the way he does his job, interacts and treats his colleagues and subordinates.
Olusegun Osoba, a former governor of Ogun State and chairman of the book launch, who took guests to a nostalgic journey by recalling their days together at the old Daily Times and how they have moved from that point to being best of friends, with Amuka influencing him to pick some of his habits and lifestyles, said though, Uncle Sam was his senior with just four years, he is seen as a father figure in Osoba’s family.
He said people unfairly associate Amuka only with The PUNCH and Vanguard, denying him credit for several other initiatives he pioneered in the media industry, and added that “the secrets of Amuka’s longevity are that he is a gentle man; he is not envious of others; while material things do not mean anything to him. If you come to his house and say, ‘I like this artwork’, he will give it to you. All his art collections are with friends,”
Lanre Idowu, who edited the book, said he thanked God for making the day possible and also for the celebrant for showing up because Uncle Sam had objected to the celebration because he felt that celebrating when many media organisations find it difficult paying salary was not appropriate.
Tony Momoh, chairman/CEO, Channels Television, said when he joined The Daily Times, he was an assistant editor while Uncle Sam was the deputy editor, and thus, has always been his boss.
“As the deputy editor, he used his position to contribute to the development of the profession. Amuka is a mentor in several ways. He represented everything noble in journalism. I had learnt a lot from his professional and personal lives”, he said.
Other media heavyweights that graced the occasion include: Frank Aigbogun, publisher of BusinessDay titles who had also served as editor of Uncle Sam’s Vanguard newspaper, Tunde Fagbenle, Dele Momodu, Abike Dabiri, Comfort Obi, Aremo Taiwo Alimi, Philip Asiodu, Ayo Adebanjo, Bisi Olatilo, Bode Olajumoke, Lade Bonuola, Odia Ofeimun and Fred Agbeyegbe. Mohammed Fawehinmi, son of the late Nigerian legal luminary, Gani Fawehinmi, was also in attendance.
Sam Amuka Pemu was born in Sapele, a city in Delta State, southern Nigeria, into the family of the late Pa Amuka-Pemu and Madam Teshoma Amuka-Pemu on June 13, 1935.
He was formerly editor, Daily Times of Nigeria and the first editor of the Sunday Punch before he established The Punch with his friend, the late, Olu Aboderin in 1971. He later founded Vanguard Newspaper in 1983. He is the oldest practising media professional in Nigeria today who has been cited by peers. A book titled, “From 1939 to the vanguard of modern journalism”, written by Kola Muslim Animasaun, who also trained under him, acknowledges his immense contributions to journalism in Nigeria.
NATHANIEL AKHIGBE
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