Veteran journalist and one of the most celebrated columnists of his era, Peter Enahoro, popularly known by his pen name Peter Pan, has died.
He passed away in London, the United Kingdom on Monday, aged 88.
His passage was announced in a terse statement by Ms Bunmi Sofola, also an iconic journalist in her own right and family friend.
According to the statement, “Regret to announce the passing on of our iconic journalist Peter Enahoro “Peter Pan” today in London at the age of 88. RIP.
“Also known by the pen name of “Peter Pan” because of his popular column in the New African magazine under that name. He has been described as ‘perhaps Africa’s best-known international journalist’”.
Born in Uromi, Edo State on January 21, 1935, Enahoro, the younger brother of the late First Republic politician and elder statesman, Chief Anthony Enahoro, was a journalist, author, businessman and publisher.
He attended the prestigious Government College, Ughelli (in present-day Delta State), and was a contemporary of the famous poet and Africa’s first professor of English, JP Clark.
He was appointed the Editor of the highly influential Sunday Times at the age of 23 in 1958, and Editor of the Daily Paper in 1962 before assuming the position of Editor-in-Chief in 1966. Upon his return from a sojourn in the 90s, the author of the widely acclaimed book, How To Be A Nigerian,’ published in 1966, was appointed the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the Daily Times of Nigeria.
The late Enahoro started his media career as an assistant publicity officer in the now-Federal Ministry of Information in 1954.
He joined Daily Times in 1955 as a sub-editor at the age of 20. Three years later, he became the assistant district manager at the Rediffusion Services, Ibadan, now Oyo State.
The deceased served in various editorial capacities at the Sunday Times and Daily Times before he left Nigeria in a self-imposed exile in the 1960s.
The veteran journalist wrote the famous book ‘How to be a Nigerian’. It was first published in 1966.
He was Contributing Editor of Radio Deutsche Welle in Cologne, Germany, from 1966 to 1976, and was Africa Editor of National Zeitung, in Basel, Switzerland, becoming Editorial Director of New African magazine in London in 1978.
President Buhari noted that the late journalist courted the trust of the public with his fearless writings.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President urged those mourning him to reflect on his contributions to national development.
The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari extends heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and associates of Peter Enahoro, one of Nigeria’s foremost journalists, who died at the age of 88.
“The President believes that as a gifted and iconic journalist, author and publisher, Enahoro earned the public trust by his fearless writings, tenacity, and commitment to the pursuit of truth.
“The President recognises that the passion of the former Editor-in-Chief/Managing Director of the Daily Times, Assistant Publicity Officer, Department (now Federal Ministry) of Information and Pioneer Chairman, Nigerian Broadcasting Commission for public service was second to none, and he used his knowledge and mastery to mentor people, who have also added value to journalism practice in the country.
“President Buhari urges those who mourn the demise of this compatriot to reflect on his contributions to the country and build on the many honours credited to him for journalistic excellence.”
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila said that with the passing of Peter Pan, Nigeria has lost one of its finest journalists who lent their voices for the betterment of the country.
He said as a columnist, the late Enahoro used his pen patriotically, calling attention to the salient issues in the society.
Gbajabiamila prayed God to give the deceased family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Mourning Enahoro’s passage, Sanwo-Olu described the death as painful, heartbreaking and a colossal loss to journalism and the media industry in Nigeria.
In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Gboyega Akosile, the governor said: “The death of our iconic journalist, Peter Enahoro, is a great loss to the media industry and Nigeria, as well as his family and friends. ‘Peter Pan’ will be greatly missed.
“He made lots of positive impacts during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria.
“On behalf of the Lagos State Government, I sympathise with the Enahoro family in Uromi, Edo State over the death of the veteran and accomplished journalist. I also commiserate with the deceased friends, colleagues, and journalists in Nigeria. I pray that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Edo State Governor Andrew Obaseki described him as a national treasure and quintessential media professional, who made insightful and critical commentaries on Nigeria, and its march to a free, fair and just society.
He said: “I am deeply pained by the news of the passing of a renowned journalist and scribe, Peter Enahoro, self-styled ‘Peter Pan’ in his newspaper column, where he made insightful and critical commentaries on the Nigerian nation and its march to a free, fair and just society.
“Pa Enahoro, who hailed from Uromi, in Edo State, was sired by a lineage of politically-conscious parents, and as he grew older, he made a lasting imprint on journalism practice in Nigeria and internationally.
“He ventured into journalism at an early age, and rose rapidly to the highest positions in the field in the 1960s, becoming the Editor of Sunday Times at 23, and then Editor of Daily Times in 1966.”
According to him, the late front line journalist conquered the local scene and launched an impressive international journalism stint that heavily impacted how the outer world viewed and understood the complexities of Nigeria today.
He said: “A quintessential columnist, his takes on Nigeria’s pressing and nagging issues were deeply thought-out and poignant, a reflection of his very mature political opinions and critical views of those in power at various times in the history of the country.
“He can be rightly described as a national treasure, who secured his place in history, in the feisty early years of Nigeria’s nationhood.
“Working as a newspaper editor, he spared none of the Premiers of Nigeria’s three regions at the time in his satirical pieces – he would engage in gutsy debates with the Sardauna of Sokoto and Premier of Northern Nigeria, Sir Ahmadu Bello; spar with the Premier of Western Nigeria, Ladoke Akintola, on topical issues, and Dr. Michael Okpara of Eastern Nigeria was not left out.
“Pa Ehanoro later went into self-imposed exile for about 13 years, during which time he worked at reputable international publications, bringing issues bedeviling Nigeria to the attention of the global community.
“He was a cerebral journalist, who deployed his intellect in the service of the country, providing and nurturing the space for healthy debates on national policies that impact the lives of the people.”
Obaseki also noted that it could be rightly stated that Enahoro’s engagements were a labour of love for the development of Nigeria.
He said: “The vibrant press in the country today owes much of its credit to Pa Enahoro’s bold and courageous skill with the pen, to hold those in power to account for their deeds.”
The governor also described the deceased as a thorough-bred Edo man, who spoke truth to power, and espoused noble virtues of diligence, hard work and intellectual rigour.
“Pa Enahoro will be remembered for his charm and candour, as well as his commitment to a society with a free, just and vibrant press, where everyone is free to express his/her opinion without let,” Obaseki said.
