Former Nigerian military President, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd), on Wednesday described the founder and publisher of Vanguard Newspaper, Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, as a national treasure and a custodian of Nigeria’s collective conscience.
Babangida stated this as the Special Guest of Honour at the newspaper’s 40th anniversary in Lagos, where many prominent Nigerians and media practitioners gathered to celebrate the tabloid and its founder, who turned 91.
Babangida said Amuka’s 91st birthday offered an opportunity to celebrate a life dedicated to truth, nation-building and the enduring power of journalism.
Represented by Professor Mohammed Yahaya Kuta of the University of Ibadan, Babangida said Amuka’s contribution had gone beyond journalism, describing him as “a national treasure, a custodian of our collective conscience, and a cornerstone of our democracy.”
He said the public presentation of The Vanguard Chronology: 40 Years of Nigeria’s Leading Tabloid was more than a book launch, noting that the publication had documented four decades of Nigeria’s political, social and economic development.
According to him, “The Vanguard has not merely reported on Nigerian history; it has actively shaped it. It has stood as a formidable pillar of robust public discourse, a defender of democratic ideals, and a consistent force for national development.”
The former Head of State urged journalists to draw inspiration from Amuka’s steadfastness, courage and commitment to truth, stressing that a free, responsible and robust press remained essential to building a prosperous Nigeria.
Babangida also called on media practitioners to emulate Amuka’s professional ethics and patriotism, particularly at a time of national challenges, saying the media had a critical responsibility in nation-building.
Former Ogun State Governor and veteran journalist, Chief Olusegun Osoba, who traced Amuka’s journey through Nigerian journalism, recalled his role in establishing The Punch, which Amuka later founded in 1984.
Osoba said Amuka ventured into the fishery business following his separation from The Punch, but eventually returned to journalism, which he described as his greatest passion.
He also commended Amuka for maintaining editorial independence at Vanguard, recalling that during the 2023 election campaign, he complained to the publisher that his political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), was unhappy with the newspaper’s editorial position.
According to Osoba, rather than interfere with the newspaper’s editorial decisions, Amuka referred him to the editor, Eze Anaba.
“I was embarrassed,” he recalled, describing Amuka as “a generalissimo of journalism in Nigeria.”
In his address, the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ike Nwachukwu, applauded Vanguard Newspapers for its contributions to Nigeria over the past four decades, saying “Vanguard Newspaper has done so much for our country,” Nwachukwu said.
As the African continent continues to face challenges, Nwachukwu urged Nigerian media organisations to take the lead in projecting the country in a positive light and promoting national pride.
He said, “Even though the African continent is still suffering, I am asking the Nigerian media to lead the charge one more time, to lead the media to sell the Nigerian pride.”
In his remarks, the former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon Rotimi Amaechi paid tribute to Amuka, describing him as a detribalised Nigerian whose approach to life was rooted in humanity, compassion and support for people irrespective of their ethnic or regional backgrounds.
Amaechi said Amuka would be remembered not only for his contribution to journalism but also for demonstrating that humanity should come before tribe, religion or geographical origin.
He said the publisher represented the kind of Nigeria the country should strive to build, one where ethnic or regional considerations do not restrict compassion and support.
While recalling a personal encounter with Amuka at his sister’s wedding, Amaechi said the veteran journalist’s decision to be present and support his family demonstrated the humane side of his personality.
He said such gestures created lasting relationships, where people would always remember those who stood by them at critical moments.
Also speaking, the founding chairman and editor-in-chief of THISDAY Media Group and ARISE News, Nduka Obaigbena, recalled his early encounter with Amuka in the United Kingdom in the 1980s.
Obaigbena described Amuka as an icon and a colossus whose contribution to Nigeria’s democratic development remained significant.
“He is an icon and a colossus who brought democracy to Nigeria, firm, hard, with a smile. No matter how he hits you, he makes you smile. So I just thought today we should join the people of Nigeria in saluting the last original,” he said.
Reviewing The Vanguard Chronology, lawyer and author Gbemiga Ogunleye described the 250-page, 46-chapter publication as an important historical record of the newspaper’s evolution from modest beginnings into one of Nigeria’s most influential media institutions.
Ogunleye said the book drew extensively from the experiences and memories of Vanguard’s founders, editors and former staff, documenting their professional journeys, challenges, achievements and relationships within the organisation.
He noted that one of the central themes of the publication was Amuka’s willingness to give young people opportunities, mentor them, tolerate mistakes and offer second chances, helping several journalists to build successful careers.
He said the book, therefore, went beyond the media publication’s corporate history, presenting Vanguard’s 40-year journey as a story of friendship, sacrifice, professional excellence and the power of a shared vision to build an enduring institution.
The event also featured tributes from former Vanguard editors and alums, who highlighted Amuka’s leadership style, professional discipline, generosity, and humane treatment of colleagues and staff.
However, they noted that his ability to combine firmness with compassion had endeared him to generations of journalists and contributed to the enduring strength of the Vanguard brand.
The reunion brought together generations of media professionals whose careers and professional development were shaped by their association with the newspaper, turning the occasion into both a celebration of Vanguard’s institutional history and a tribute to the people who built it.
According to the organisers, the publication was conceived to preserve the institutional memory of Vanguard and document the contributions of the founders, editors, journalists and other staff whose work shaped the newspaper over four decades, as it underscores Sam Amuka’s enduring legacy of journalism, mentorship, editorial independence, humanity and commitment to national development.
Among the dignitaries at the event were Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, Prof Pat Utomi, veteran journalist, Ray Ekpu, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Joe Ajaero; former presidential spokesperson, Femi Adesina; Barrister Mike Igini; Olori Apomu of Osun State, Olori Janet Afolabi; and other prominent Nigerians and media personalities.
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