- Says the paper has improved remarkably, heads for the heights
- Salutes teacher and mentor, Osoba
- Urges hard work, rededication to uplift Owena Press
- Pleads with staff: “Please let us work together to make this paper a pride of the people of Ondo State.”
By Banji Ayoola
Being the moving speech delivered extempore by the Chairman and Chief Executive of Owena Press Limited, Publishers of The Hope newspaper, Sir Ademola Adetula, at the first ever celebration of the company’s former staff in the company’s premises on Reuben Fasoranti Road in Akure on August 16, 2019. The former staff, including the immediate former Editor of the newspaper, Mr Banji Ayoola; Okitipupa Correspondent, Mr. Igbekele Smile; Chief Photographer, Mr. Remi Aye and Internal Auditor, Mr. Oladimeji Omilabu, were, according to the Chairman, celebrated for serving the company wholeheartedly, diligently and meritoriously in an exemplary manner. The Ondo State Government owned newspaper, which is the most authoritative voice as regards the reportage of stories from the state, was established by the military administration of the then Navy Captain Bode George. The speech, which indeed is a lecture for all, especially journalists, is an interesting piece. Joyful voyage.
“I don’t know where to begin. I am so excited with the package of this programme. Until today, I didn’t know there were so many comedians, well talented and budding artists in this establishment. I thank God that this opportunity has allowed them to showcase their talents. And I want to congratulate everyone.
I have a lot to say, and I hope you would tolerate me. Permit me. I bring you good tidings from the Management of Owena Press Limited to all our retirees. I want to congratulate the families, everybody involved. Today must be your very joyous and proud moment because people have come up to celebrate and acknowledge what you have done. Not too many people have this kind of opportunity, particularly in this organisation.
This is the first time that I know that we are having this kind of corporate send forth. It is a grand moment and all of us are very delighted. The Management agreed that we should have this ceremony. It was a unanimous decision. We felt that it is good to celebrate people who have given their life to an establishment; people who have given their energy for the growth and development of that organisation, that we should celebrate them.
If I have your permission, like I said, I have a lot to say , you would allow me to please sit down because we’ve never had this kind of thing. Please I seek your permission to sit down.
I want to follow all protocols by thanking the Editor for being here, all our retirees, our former Editor, who we are all very proud of. My greatest regret here today is that your children are not around. I would have loved it that they are here for them to hear what people have said about you.
This is because journalists are the most exploited professionals. They work from morning till night. People think they are not even in the office. All my life, I have been in this job for over 41 years. Most times I had problem with my wife who usually asked “ise wo le ti e nse gan an na?” (What type of work are you doing?).
When I was News Editor of The Herald in Ilorin, I must listen to the nine o clock news. If any news broke, I must rewrite the story to lead the paper. When I now left the place, having worked, I looked for somewhere to take a bottle of beer because ori ti fe e daru (One had almost got mad.) So, maybe I got home at 10.30 or 11pm.
When we were moving to a new house in Ilorin, a rented quarter, the landlord told me that “at 7 o clock, I close my gate.” I told him I did not get to the house until 10.30 or 11pm. He asked “ise e ki l’e nse?(What type of work do you do?) And I explained. The man, a very nice man, directed that a copy of the gate key should be given to me. And I lived there until I came here. Up till today, we are very good friends.
But so many families have broken because of wrong impression ise e ki l’e tie maa nse t’e fi maa nd’oru? (What type of work do you do till midnight?) But thank God, Journalism is not restricted to men alone, women also participate. So we can now understand the dilemma.
But for someone to have worked for 35 years and lived that kind of horror, I must rejoice with you my brother and friend, Mr. Banji Ayoola. It is not restricted to you alone; but also the two gentlemen there, Mr. Igbekele Smile and Remi Aye. I know them like the palm of my hand because I employed the two of them; and I worked with them.
Many of them think that I am a slave driver, that I am never satisfied. But it is the trademark, the hallmark of anybody who wants to be a success in Journalism. And that is what you observed in Mr. Banji Ayoola. I have known him for a long time. Even though I did not work with him here, our paths always crossed when he was in The Guardian; and I have a lot of admiration for him because he has one trademark. The trademark is that he has respect for truth.
Most journalists have no respect for truth; and we must tell ourselves the truth. And the society depends on us for that truth; and that truth sometimes we sacrifice and murder. However, that topic is for another day.
Like I said, this is the first celebration of this kind; and I thank the Lord Almighty that I am part of this celebration. I want to identify myself with all the good things that have been said about each and every one of you; and they are no exaggeration.
Mr. Omilabu is a specimen of honesty. I worked with him. He dignifies himself and he is always on the side of truth. At Management meetings he would speak, he would say it as it should be; and throughout the period that I worked with him, my own assessment of him is that he is a transparently honest person. And I am not surprised. B’eeyan ba dagba, e maa ba iwa agba lowo e. (When one becomes elderly, what you find in him are deeds of an elder.)
He carried himself with the carriage of a responsible person. When you see him, you can visualise what his hose would look like because he has the carriage of a responsible person. So today when I saw his wife, I was not disappointed because all these things go together. I read people. If I see you for the first time I hazard who you are. So Mr. Omilabu, we are very proud of you. I never had any information about you stirring up trouble in this organisation.
Jeejee l’o maa nlo. O huwa bi agbalagba. Gbogbo nnkan t’o nse, o nse e ki ilu ma daru. Ki i se olote. Sometimes bi agbalagba, oju wa maa nri nnkan. But ki i se gbogbo aso la n sa l’oorun ki ilu ma daru. Bi a ba ni k,a wo ile, won ni ile l’a nwo k’a to so’omo l’oruko.) (He goes quietly on his own. He behaves like an elder. All he does is to keep the peace. He is not a rebel. As elders, we see a lot, but we do not react to all so that the society does not break down. And the home builds the character of the child.) And I am not surprised. It’s good to have worked with him.
Now if we reflect on what has been said about them today, it should be a challenge to each and every one because whether we like it or not, one day we are going to bow out of this establishment. And when you bow out, what exactly would people say about you? Let us reflect.
It is like when we depart the earth, what would the people say about us? You come to this establishment; what has been your contribution? If your contribution is to drag the establishment downward, don’t assume that people don’t know you or don’t see you. People see you. They could just keep silent and leave you alone.
If you have contributed development to this establishment, history will record you positively. If you came here, looted this place and did many nasty things, history will also be harsh on you. It’s like somebody who goes out today and say: ‘my name is Sani Abacha.’ What would be the reaction? And you go somewhere else and say ‘I am Funso Awolowo or John Adekunle Ajasin.’ What would the people say about you?
So, what we are doing today is celebration, we are happy. But it is a challenge for us to reflect deeply whenever we come to a place. I use to say always that William Shakespeare died several decades ago. People still remember him for his legacy, what he has done.
So all of us who are here today, I am pleading with you. Let us rededicate our life and energy to the uplift of this establishment. This establishment would outlive us. If it outlives us, it can be useful to our children.
When I first came here, this place was like a police station, a dungeon. That’s the truth. But today, gradually, it is picking up. It can only develop to a printing empire if all of us are willing to assist. That is the request. That is the plea that I am placing before every one who is here today.
Let us allow all the testimonies that have been said about our retirees today influence us to greater heights. Let us look at each and every one of them and ask “who of them should I emulate?” They are not perfect because they are human beings; but the positive aspect of their life, let us take a look at it.
Like I said, I want to salute all the efforts of our great leaders who have worked in this organisation. They have made tremendous sacrifice. There was a time here when we were working; we used to send for bean cakes for us to eat. The reason being that life was tough, it was so busy for people. But we sustained the tempo; and those people had continued to work and work. In those periods, it is strange to hear that somebody steals from adverts proceeds or those for change of name. It’s unheard of. We all worked here as a family; and during that period, we generated money, huge money.
So, our brothers, I want to apologise on behalf of Management about your entitlements that have not been paid. We have received your letter of complaints. We have responded positively. We have done all that is necessary on our part and have sent it back to the Governor with prayers asking the Governor to please bail us out. Before you wrote that letter, please be informed that several times we had gone to Budget Defence. We told them that the entitlements of workers of this place have not been paid, please help us.
All our efforts have not yielded positive results. It’s not that we are indifferent to you or to your request. But when one works and it has not fructified as expected, many thoughts flood in like probably they have forgotten about us. No. Because won ni iku t’o npa ojugba eni, owe l’o npa fun ni. (Death that kills one’s contemporary is speaking to one in proverbs.) Please bear with us; we pray that Government would accede to our request.
I want to thank all the staff for the support they have given to me since I came on Board in October. One tree cannot make a forest. Everything we have done here to the Glory of God is to your greater glory and support you have given. Initially we had some disagreements. People thought I came here with a mini agenda to witch-hunt. But after a few moment, most of the staff have forgotten about that perceived agenda.
And today everywhere we have been to, we have been receiving accolades from everybody. Everybody tells us that our paper has changed; and it is not just propaganda. It has really changed. Everywhere in government circle if I introduce myself as the chairman, they say ‘Ah, your paper has changed.’ It is not that we beg them or ask them to come and tell us. It’s based on their personal conviction; and it is based on your collective efforts.
But I want you to know. When you have a beautiful product, you’ve got to work and work to sustain it. And look at the adverts patronage that we are getting today. We are getting them because of the confidence people have in us. This is due to nothing else but our hand work. And we are capable of doing something greater and better.
I have said it. I have confidence in each and every one of you that you have the competence to push this paper to greater heights. Please, that something cannot be done is a lie. The brain that the Lord gave us in our heads is like computer. Nobody can exhaust the capacity of his brain till he departs the earth. Therefore, let us utilise the facilities here to lead this paper. Not because of me Demola Adetula, but so that our children and children’s children may live to see this legacy.
There are newspapers all over the world that sell one million copies. Some sell 10 million copies. You may not believe it, but that is the truth. Human beings manage such establishments, and they manage them to the greater glory of the community. It is before our eyes here that there was the Daily Times of those days. Who does not hear about Daily Times? They had landed property; they made publications. But because of the stupidity of one man, he destroyed that paper. Today, where is Daily Times that is supposed to be part of our legacy, part of our history? It was destroyed.
I am still saying that a humble beginning which Owena Press started several years ago is alive to become something big based on our collective desire. So I am asking and pleading with you once again that you please let us work together to make this paper a pride of the people of Ondo State.
Thank God. The suspicion that manifested itself when I came here has been totally eradicated. Today we have a serene and peaceful environment. I am sure that nobody, except those who probably have their personal reasons, would say they are being hunted for any reason. We have outlived that past.
So I want to plead that we should not have anything that causes a division, ethnic suspicion or any reason whatsoever for people to continue to live in fear in this establishment. We have outlived that aspect of our history. We have left Egypt. We are moving to the Promised Land; and God will guide us.
Here in this company when I talk, people may not understand. Owena Press, a small establishment, big trouble. That is the truth. What is the reason? Majority of the people who work here are journalists. They know their rights. They are well connected. They are troublemakers. They have everything; and if you are going to manage them, you must have extra jacket, extra bullets, and extra guns to defend yourself because they are just smart guys.
But I have told people. What you would be, God has already defined it. We are the ones in haste. Where we would get to, the Lord has determined it, and we will surely get there. I want everybody to take it easy.
Gentlemen, today is a very exciting, happy moment for us. I am happy because all of us sit down; we come to thank the Lord for all He has done for these our fathers, that they worked here hale and hearty and in peace of heart, they voluntarily retired. Many people do not have this opportunity.
We thank the Lord for them. Therefore in the Name of the Lord, you will not live your life in sickness. The Lord Almighty will guide your steps. Your children will become successful. As you formally take a bow from labour hassles, we pray that you continue to enjoy the fruits of your labour.
Permit me to recognise the NUJ (Nigeria Union of Journalists) State chairman. Chairman, we are delighted to have you. His name is Mr Tona Aderoboye.
It is as if this ceremony should not end because we are happy. If we have people guiding us, we would no longer do many of the things we are doing.
Remi Aye has done for me something that is unforgettable. He may have forgotten. People say I am a slave driver; I drive people to work; and I make you know that you have certain potential in yourself that you can utilise. When I employed him I knew he had potential and I could train him.
One day, I told him to go and get me a good picture of (the then Ondo State Military Governor, Navy Captain Anthony) Onyearugbulem, a very good one. I told him ‘if you don’t get it, I would sack you.’ And as God would have it, I did not know where he got that imagination. He got the picture. Onyearugbulem saw the picture. He was virtually dancing. Throughout the tenure of Onyearugbulem in Ondo State, he hung that photograph in his office. He (Aye) took the picture. But as his boss, I took the credit. That is Journalism.
Whenever there was work, the man who trained me, Chief Segun Osoba, would mount his scooter. He would collect camera from the photographer and snap photographs. He doesn’t believe that there is no goal that cannot be achieved. He doesn’t believe in any excuse. Sometimes when you see me in that mood, it’s not that I have personal hatred for anybody. No.
In Journalism, there is no second chance. A house is burning and somebody jumps down from the floor above. The photographer who takes such a picture only helps himself, but not me, because he would get the award, though I would take the credit for the newspaper. But he is working for himself. If he doesn’t get it and I say ‘go and give him query,’ you would say that man is wicked; he doesn’t even smile; he is a wicked man. I am not a wicked man; so also our former Editor who is here. That is the training we receive.
We went somewhere recently; someone was complaining that they didn’t give him byline; that they were victimising him. I joined The Herald in 1978; I didn’t get byline until six months after I had been working. Six months, unlike today when journalists would write stories from press releases and put their names on them. Nobody gives byline based on press release.
My first byline, I went to the court, there they brought an accused person arrested with a currency printing machine. I knew that when I wrote this story, it would not be illustrative. That machine was not recorded. So I rushed to the office to call a photographer, and he took the picture; and I wrote the story. That was my first byline. The position of the Chief Sub Editor was that I showed initiative, and he said ‘go and give him byline.’
But today, anybody would write anything and they give him byline and think he is working. No. you are supposed to go and investigate and look for exclusive stories as the former Editor, Mr Banji Ayoola used to tell reporters. When you are a good reporter, no Editor can hate you; nobody, because he needs your story to survive. Isn’t it? What do they use to fill a newspaper? It is stories.
In those days there used to be a reporter who was working with the Sketch. He was elderly, I don’t remember his name. Every Sunday, the lead story that would come for Sunday Sketch would come from Ijebu Ode, an innocuous community. And that man was there. And by the time you polished the story, it would be the lead story. I am sure if we have any disagreement, it would be on stories. I have no hatred for anybody.”
The Editor, Mr. Akindele Adubuola, who also praised the ex staff for their humble contributions to the development of the company, said of them:
“What pains me most is that they never reaped the way they sowed. But I know that the service they have rendered to humanity, whether they reap or not, their children and children’s children would reap from the fruits they have sown.
These are leaders that sowed, toiled in this company; they held this company from crumbling. They put all they had during thick and thin, and yet they never reaped.
But I believe that God Who rewards diligence, hard work, honesty, He Who rewards without adding any sorrow will reward you in Jesus Name. Every day you wake up, you will never regret. For your post service, we hand you over to God that He will take care of you; and that He will pave your way; and that your entitlement, you will collect it. It will not be sent to any other person. Whatever you are entitled to, I pray again that you yourselves will collect it. It will be well and good for you. It will be good for your children. I congratulate you.”
In his own speech, the NUJ State Chairman, Mr. Tona Aderoboye, said: “I want to appreciate the Chairman, Management and entire staff for celebrating those I would now describe as elder statesmen because they have laboured. The Bible says there is time and season for everything. Once upon a time, they were freshers here, cub reporters, journalists and writers. Today they are now on the other side where we have distinguished elderly people who have toiled for several years.
I am also happy because this establishment deems it fit to celebrate them. We thank you. You will not bow out into the hands of death. As you go, the Lord will continue to be with you. You have attained certain level in life in terms of achievements and age. Please eat very well; do a bit of exercise so that you can be free to do other things.
You are still very useful to the society. The Nigerian society still needs you. All of us here would continue to need you because we need your wealth of experience to do certain things. Our people here who are reporters, journalists would continue to contact you for what you had done in the past. I want to thank the Management for doing us proud. I have the mandate of the NUJ that in whatever you do, in whatever area, we would support; though we are not financially buoyant. We would be ready to assist you.”
Responding, the former Editor, Mr Banji Ayoola said: “That you are able to do this for me, Oga, I am deeply touched. That a human soul could arrange this for other human souls despite the lean purse, the challenges that the company is going through, I really appreciate it. And I pray that the Lord Almighty Father will continue to grant you the wisdom to pilot the affairs of this company.
Sir Ademola Adetula is not here by himself, for himself, for any human being. When I entered this company today, I noticed a remarkable difference. Very remarkable change has taken place in this place. And I am confident that this is the beginning of good things to come.
I went straight to the office of the Chairman. The whole place has changed. You see a rearrangement. I touched virtually all the offices. Everywhere is wearing a new look. Even the staff, everybody is looking relaxed. I am not sure that you are being paid regularly. You see that calmness, that relaxing mood everywhere. Every office that I touched was very neat. Look at the Newsroom. You would feel like sleeping here, working till daybreak.
Thank you Sir. I am very grateful to the Chairman/Chief Executive of this company, the Editor, the Management staff, and the entire staff for this company for this rare honour.
I consider it rare because I have never witnessed this here and because it voluntarily came out of the company; voluntarily came out of the company, spearheaded by a human soul who has demonstrated that nobility of soul to other human beings. I am very grateful for this honour.
My appeal to the staff would be that this is a man you should give your 100 percent, and if possible, 105 percent of your cooperation in seeing to the welfare of this place, and in seeing to your welfare. And I am sure today that many of you would be praying for him for having touched the life of this place, having changed what he met here.
The first time I saw you Sir, (following your assumption of duties as Owena Press Chairman) near the office of the Commissioner for Information, I was asking myself ‘Bawo l’e se n se e, Egbon’ (Despite the challenges, how are you coping, keeping The Hope alive?’) Despite the fact that you are not getting money, how have you been going on?
And in the quality of stories in the newspaper, you see professionalism here. I see that there is newness in the way we do things here. And that is in line with the wish of the Almighty Father.
That he (Adetula) is here today means that he is standing in duty to please the Almighty Father; and the Almighty Father will continue to strengthen you and bless you. Together with the Editor, I pray also that you will continue to be given the wisdom to pilot the affairs of the Editorial Department, and give maximum support to the Chairman and Chief Executive in running this place. I am grateful once again. Thank you all.”
Giving Vote of Thanks, the Projects Manager, Mrs. Bola Daramola said: “We thank the Lord for today’s occasion. We thank the Chairman, Editor, Management members, all our retirees who have come. If we had invited them and they did not come, there won’t be any reason for this ceremony. We thank them, and we thank all the staff who deemed it fit to attend. I pray that things of joy will not cease in our various homes.
I want to end this on an anchor for us all: How would I end. We came to this life as sojourners. All of us have come. And there is a purpose for our life. So on daily basis, I just want to chip this in, that all of us should be thinking, how would I end my life in Owena Press. Am I going to be celebrated like these people?
And in totality, how would I end my life because certainly whether we like it or not, we have come, definitely we will go. The Bible says you are dust and unto dust you shall return. So let us think that there is a place of glory that the Lord has prepared for you. I pray that as we go, the Lord will go with all of us.”
