Here is our own effervescent Harriet Lawrence of The Guardian Newsroom of yore.
She was our boss and trainer. We all had emotional attachment to Mrs. Lawrence. We loved her and she loved us back unreservedly.
Mike Asuquo, Edwin Baiye, my humble self, Gbemiga Ogunleye, Emmanuel Efeni, (Black) Moses Ayo Jolayemi, Steve Nwosu, Ikechukwu Eze and many more were all students in Mrs. Lawrence’s School of Feature Writing in The Guardian.
I was lucky to have also honed my art under the great Tommy Odewingie, who was Mrs. Lawrence’s predecessor as Features Editor of The Guardian in the late 80’s/early 90’s.
If Mrs. Lawrence handled your script and let your intro run, then you were sure you were on the right track to becoming a journalistic craftsman.
If you would permit me some self-flattery, I would say, and many are wont to agree, that none of the aforementioned has done too badly as a journalist, as a matter of fact.
We will always love our Mrs. Harriet Lawrence (where the heck did ‘Otis’ come from? Hahahahaha!)
Right on point, Felix!
Here’s the woman who gave me the baptism of fire at The Guardian!
First, she drops my name like a bomb!
Even the reporter at the tail end of the Newsroom is startled. She religiously follows that with the sobriquet “olodo” in a lower tone (call me if you wanna know how she pronounced that Yoruba word you’d laugh) and pounds powerfully into her small office, where more than half of The Guardian engine runs.
Next, she gives me an assignment that ordinarily should take a week to research and says ‘I won it tmoo Mouzes’
‘Madam, how can you ask me to submit this tomorrow? Don’t you know I have to…
‘Quiet! I know you can do it so go’
How do you know? Didn’t you just say am olodo?
‘Well, they say you’re brilliant’
‘Who?
Your people…Kusa, all of them…look leave my office now and le me have my story tmoo, else you get a query’
But she never got around giving me one throughout, not for meeting the deadline every time though.
Satisfied after going through my copy, she quietly walks up to me and drags me out to the kiosk outside. Its snacks time.
Off I go home, happy in the end.
But if that mistakenly enters your head and you carry it over to the next day and try to mess up, then you have a new title in O.Y.O. (On Your Own)
So glad to see her. Ah! my Mrs Lawrence!
Felix, thanks for bringing this wonder woman of The Guardian Newsroom to us.
Very blunt, honest, fair and direct woman. Very resilient and a lover of Nigeria. She would shout your name in the Newsroom like ‘wetin a buy from this woman now?’
You are in perpetual trouble if she knew you could produce a features copy in no time,. You can’t but like her. Motherly and caring. Very understanding but brooks no nonsense form any reporter.
Mrs Lawrence when will you come around to see many of your now grown up guys?
She actually taught me broadcasting at NIJ (Nigerian Institute of Journalism). A very practical person. Still looking radiant.
Great to see you, my best Feature Editor of all time.
Agbonsuremi Austin Okhiria: Good to see her lovely and always smiling face.
Felix Oguejiofor Abugu: She is like ageless, you know. Hasn’t changed much. Austino,
Agbonsuremi Austin Okhiria Felix Oguejiofor Abugu My brother, so good to feel you. My warm regards.
Aaron Ukodie I am afraid now to send Austin to buy me meat-pie at The Guardian kiosk. He don big pass me now o..
Agbonsuremi Austin Okhiria Aaron Ukodie Am still loyal my Oga. I am ready to go for all errands Sir. Just make sure it’s a business class ticket. Tell Emeka Okoroanyanwu and Eddy Akpomera that I remain irreversibly loyal.
Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Agbonsuremi Austin Okhiria And Ebube would shout: Emeka Okoroanyanwu! Emeka Okoroanyanwu! Emeka Okoroanyanwu! What kind of reporter is this? Emeka Okoroanyanwu!
Aaron Ukodie Where is the ever bubbling Bubs ( Ebube Wadibia)? What a News Editor. Emeka Okoroanyanwu, where is the story. Is it exclusive?
Emeka Okoroanyanwu Aaron, let us thank the Almighty God that we are here today to reminisce on our experiences in The Guardian. The Guardian was a Journalism school indeed. Forget the disappointing diatribe from …, he has just disappointed himself not us, that he helped horn our skills in Journalism. Ebube Wadibia relocated to the US with his beautiful wife that he picked from The Guardian Newsroom. Ebube was a great News Editor.
Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Emeka Okoroanyanwu I very much doubt that … wrote that disjointed, almost illiterate stuff. A delectable craftsman, …is too fastidious about facts and story-flow to have written such a disorganised story that came replete with historical half-truths. And yet he hasn’t denied that the account is his. I am confused.
Aaron Ukodie Felix, our …, the mastercraftsman has become so partisan that anything can come from him these days. This is almost the third time I am reading very disappointing stuff from him.
Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Aaron Ukodie Curiouser and curiouser.
Ibe Ojo: Wonderful. Still the same: always cheerful and smiling
Jefferson Uwoghiren: Good to see my sister old teacher o!!! Mama Omosede.
Adeniji Stephen Olayiwola: Wow! Nice to see Mrs. Lawrence again! How are you doing Ma?
Emmanuel Efeni: Wow! Our own Mrs. Harriet Lawrence. Still looking great and yes, ageless. The kids of yesterday are now grown-up adults. I can recognise them from left: Omosede, Taiwo and Kehinde. Madam, my teacher, my mentor and my boss, I dey salute you well well.
Emeka Okoroanyanwu: Mrs Lawrence! How great to see your face again. The smiling face of the Newsroom. May the Almighty bless you.
Chris Ogwu: Mrs Harriet Lawrence… good to see you again and to meet enjoying the Grace of God.
Banji Ayoola: O Mrs Lawrence. Glad to see you are happy. I wish you more joy. Thanks, Oga Felix, for sharing this picture, and reawakening fond memories of those golden years, those unforgettable years. O The Guardian of those years…
Suleiman Joshua: Lady Harriet! Nice to see you after two decades!!
Banji Adisa: Mama de mama, Harriet. A dedicated mother, professional mentor of budding journalists, ombudsman, ever-bubbling woman… great to see her in the midst of her lively children. Nice to have crossed your your path.
Ehichioya Ezomon: Waowoooooo. The Madam of the Newsroom. A thoroughbred Professional. God bless her and her lineage! Good to see her and the kids. Wish her CONGRATULATIONS and long life IJMN. Amen.
D’Almeida Bolaji: This is the best news this month. What a way to get into the month of March. Harriet,…… so nice to see you and the children. Lovely….just brought tears of joy. God bless. Memories of days gone by. Be Good.
Ejike Obeta: This woman is ageless. God seeing her face again.
Kazie Uko: Mrs. Lawrence!!!
Olayinka Oyegbile: Are the twins the ones on the left?
Emeka Ogbeide: Harriet, nice to see you here again.
Gabriel Omonhinmin: The great Harriet Lawrence. I hail oh!!!!
Harriet Otis-Lawrence: Thanks everyone. Yes. The twins are on the left. God bless all of you. Love you all.
Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Hey baby, you doing great. Good to see you and the kids looking so radiant and healthy. Cheers.
Chris Oji: Am happy to see her ever smiling face again. She taught me at NIJ.
Alasa Babs: Mrs Harriet Lawrence, great to see your ever smiling face once again, after several years we parted ways at The Guardian Newsroom. What a reminder of those wonderful days at The Flagship!. Stay blessed our iconic amazon.
Benedicta Kole-James: Found! Still her effervescent self. Convey my greetings.
Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Benedicta Kole-James Lol.
Meke Frank: Good to see you again Madam. Such a long time from the humble and ever smiling queen of the media. Many blessings
Steve Nwosu: For me, the very best. Great woman.
Harriet Otis-Lawrence Nwosu, how are you? One of my favorite people.
Pius Utomi Ekpei: Big Mama Lawrence
Gbemiga Ogunleye: My boss for life! Good to know that you, Omosede and the twins are fine. Thanks very much for also being my friend!
Harriet Otis-Lawrence Same to you, Gbemiga.
Mustapha Adekunle Ogunsakin Fond memories of a thouroughbed and compassionate professional. Thanks Ma’am.
Faruk Adejoh-Audu Ola Adeoye.. Abubakar Acheneje. Soye Wilson Jamabo Julia Olaotan Please come here and say hi to our Harriet Lawrence. Respect Ma’am.
Soye Wilson Jamabo OLD BOY WHERE DID U CATCH HER. Pls inbox me her contact
Faruk Adejoh-Audu Soye Wilson Jamabo : Don’t have yet, but I have sent a friend request.
Soye Wilson Jamabo Faruk Adejoh-Audu Ok
Abubakar Acheneje His Majesty Sir, it’s nice to know that the encumbrances of royalty finally allowed you to make a social media appearance. Farouk Adejoh please keep the lure of Lady Lawrence coming to draw out heavyweights like King Wilson Jamabo.
Faruk Adejoh-Audu Soye Wilson Jamabo O King, forgive me that I address you without observing the royal protocols. I remain loyal, Your Royal Highness!
Hendrix Oliomogbe Aha aha aha. So good to see you after such a long time. Guess you are good. Where are the twins that used to come around to the Newsroom? God will continue to bless you and your family
Adebayo Oguntimehin Good day, Mrs. Otis-Lawrence. Happy to see you again. Thank you for raising the twins properly despite your tribulations back then. May the Good Lord continue to abide with you.
Aaron Ukodie Bayo Oguntimehin. I hail you.
C Don Adinuba Nice to see a picture of our old and lovely friend, Harriet. She is looking happy and satisfied.
Felix Oguejiofor Abugu Her twin daughter is married to an Igbo boy in Chicago!
Mike Nzeagwu Where did Mrs Lawrence pop out from? Nice to you you are still looking great. Never heard half of what she said those days. My personal confession. Lol.
C Don Adinuba Fellow Ichie
Thanks for the information. I am delighted she is not lost to ndi America.
Elvis Akhabue Elimihele Oh Madam, good to see you again; stay blessed Ma. My handsome Editor, thanks for sharing this exclusive pix.
Uche Mbah Hey! Where did you excavate here from? She was The Guardian Woman.. She shared that title with Amman Ogan…
Jewell Dafinone Good to see you here, Madam. Long long time no see. How are my friends doing ? Stay fine.
Thanks Felix
Aaron Ukodie So from where are all these Rutam greats popping from?
Vickie Djevwudu Mrs Lawrence!! Quite some time. I saw you last 30 years ago as your student in the Nigerian Institute of Journalism. Nice to see you again. You still look good Ma.
Eddy Odivwri So nice seeing Mrs Harriet Lawrence after such a long time.
Hilda Jacobs Happy to see you again Ma. It’s been a long while. Welcome back here!
Tunji Oketunbi Wonderful ! Nice to see you guys in this glorious appearance after so long a time. Remain blessed! Madam, I am very happy for you.
Oma Djebah Hey, Mrs Lawrence. So happy and nice to see you guys! My precious Editor at The Guardian!
Basil Chukwuezi Felix! I can hear call across the Newsroom. “Have you submitted your report?”. Missing The Guardian days. Happy birthday Mrs. Lawrence!
Obiora Chukwumba She hasn’t really changed much. Bless her♥
Clifford Ndujihe Great to see you, my best Features Editor of all time.
Akpo Esajere Woooo! Mrs L! Still the buoyant Mama!
Alade Sam Olusegun Mrs Harriet good to see you again, I will like to have your phone number; this is mine: 08033993410.
Vincent Mbadiwe Okwor She actually taught me broadcasting at NIJ. A very practical person. Still looking radiant.
Ladyb Nwosu Ha Felix, thanks to you for bringing back this noble woman, Mrs Harriet Lawrence, to us (former Features Desk staffers at The Guardian newspapers). Woooo, I miss Ma’am. Felix, please forward my contact to her or hers to me, I beg.
Ladyb Nwosu Mrs Harriet Lawrence still looking radiant like a good soldier ready for assignment! I love this woman so much no matter how hard she will always scream my name Bleeesing!!🤣🤣🤣🤣
