By Bernard Balogun
The circle of brilliant journalists of old keeps depleting, sadly so, and that is a huge source of worry to those in the pen confratenity.
His name preceded my meeting him, courtesy late Professor Aaze Tom Adaba, pioneer Director General of the NBC.
Let me confess. My memory is gradually failing but l insist, it was around 2010. (I beg of you guys, do not ask me the day and month).
He simply walked in, so unassumingly into our offices @ Trim Communications Ltd. We were in a meeting when our office assistant sauntered into oga’s office with the visitor’s note. His friend since their younger days in Jos, had come to pay a friendly visit. Our meeting was suspended. I walked out, on my way to my own office. There he sat so unassuming, in his ordinary element. He looked simple. No iconic air around him. Nothing to suggest or associate him to the “wordsmith” pen. As he stepped into late Tom Adaba’s office, he gleefully called out “Atomie, Atomie”. For him that was the short form of “Tom”. And Tom sharply responded….ldanu, ldanu…meaning Daniel (shortened in the media as “Dan”). The banter went on for sometime. Then oga called out to me. “Ben, have you met Idanu (Dan Agbese)”? What a hell of a name is this? No sir, l answered still trying to figure the face seated before me. Then oga added…have you heard the name Dan Agbese of NewsWatch magazine? Wow! Of course, that name resonates. It sounds familiar, but meeting him in person – no sir I replied. Tom Adaba cuts in – that is the “bushman” from God knows where. “Atomie” would you stop disgracing yourself in the presence of your staff?
I just stood there like NEPA poles, enjoying the banters.
I told uncle “Idanu” how honoured it is for me to meet him live and that l followed the four of them (late Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, yours sincerely & Yakubu Mohammed) on their various pages on NewsWatchMagazine and how NewsWatch changed the face of journalism in Nigeria. I did not think, l was patronising him unduly.
NewsWatch brought prestige, passion, elegance and respect. They took journalism to the next level. It was in their era as senior Journalists in Concord newspapers that Journalists began to drive chaffeured air-conditioned cars, wear respectable suits. Though “ldanu” was of the New Nigerian stable in Ijora.
The journalists of old did not exude or command respect due to their outward look with their shorthand note and pen. Of course, the midget recorder conferred ‘small respect’ of distinction. but they all had good command of English Language.
The metamorphosis was rapid and no thanks to early progenitors in the field… late papa I Ajose, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, papa Sam Amuka, late baba Michael Asaju (one of the early National Presidents of the NUJ); pa Joel Ogunlesi, PeterPan, Segun Osoba (pioneer GM of old Nigerian Herald, an llorin based); egbon Ladbone of old Daily Times, pa Labanji Bolaji of the defunct Daily Sketch of Ibadan…etc.
It is not exaggeration to say Dan Agbese was one of the finest writers of the time & one of the pioneers of an eligariatarian journalism in Nigeria. Throughout as l gave that brief intro, “Idanu” quietly sat, did not interrupt, only tossing his ball pen in the format of an arrow in the palm of his hands.
Then he became a regular visitor.
2018 or so, Tom Adaba wrote his autobiography. “ldanu” had this to say about his friend of 43years.
“Tom was one of my favourite newscasters on the new Benue-Plateau Television, BPTv, the first television station in the country to telecast in colour…Tom’s calm and professional reading of the evening news, his diction was clear & crisp…Tom and l have always enjoyed each other’s company…we greet each with good-natured aggressive insults…he calls me stupid, l call him either very stupid or bushman…at the Abuja airport not long after he earned his doctorate and l said to him, you call yourself doctor? All right spell Panadol make l hear. And he said to me…You are very …. dont disgrace yourself. We had a hearty laugh and those around in seeing we were joking, joined us.
He was such a man with a flourishing heart, good natured soul. He valued his friendship. Our last chance meeting was somewhere around Heritage House, behind Civil Service Commission in Wuse. He saw me first and called out. I went to him. He asked after his friend – Tom. I told him l left him in the office.
I deeply commiserate with his spouse & children; his colleagues for many years – Ray Ekpu, Mohammed, Soji and all his colleagues in the pen confratenity.
Oga “Idenu”, greet your friends in the celestial realm, Dele Giwa, Chief Mrs Dr Doyin Abiola, Pastor D Igwe, PeterPan, Tom, your brother Chief Audu Ogbeh and others.
I appreciate each one of your numerous contributions to knowledge.
May Mother earth be friendly to your body. May Abraham, our Father in faith lead you to the presence of our God. May you find peace in the celestial realm. Amen
Uncle “Idenu” this is tough for me to say but l just have to say it – Adieu.
Bernard Balogun (BenPino) in Abuja.
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