As a young journalism student in the 70s, I had the opportunity to serve as an intern at the Nigerian Observer on Airport Road, Benin City after my first year in Journalism School. Those were the days when people read newspapers, but there were few that crossed state borders and were referred to as national newspapers, like the Daily Times, Morning Post and West African Pilot. Most of the others were state or community newspapers which served their local audiences or were owned by those state governments.
After studies, I tried to go back ‘home’ to work in the Nigerian Observer, but their pay was anything but attractive and for a ‘young gun’ who was aiming for the top in work and studies, it did not meet my expectations, so I returned to Lagos to a career in broadcasting. But I kept in touch with friends and colleagues in the Observer and tried to visit them, anytime I was in Benin. Somehow, the quality of the office location and the offering seemed to be deteriorating with every new government, and it was always sad to discuss how things had changed from the bustle we knew of, to the almost sad faces, broken newsroom furniture and dilapidated buildings.
It was therefore a pleasant surprise when I visited Benin City a couple of months ago and saw that the old building had been demolished and replaced with a sparkling edifice that looked very attractive from outside. I was told then that the new Nigerian Observer had not been formally commissioned and not knowing anyone there, I could not stop to inspect. But the commissioning was finally done by then Governor Godwin Obaseki before his tenure ended a few weeks ago and from the photographs and videos I saw, it looks like a new lease of life has been breathed into the Nigerian Observer in Benin, located in what is now known as the Edo Printing Centre and the state’s newspaper has been rebranded and upgraded to meet global standards.
The new building, three printing presses, and the Victor Uwaifo Creative Hub are all situated on what was once the dilapidated Nigerian Observer premises, with the dream of establishing Edo State as a formidable media hub. I understand that the renovation efforts included updating the physical infrastructure of the Observer headquarters, aimed at creating a more conducive working environment for journalists and staff, with an additional push toward digitalization, allowing the newspaper to modernize its operations. The transition to digital platforms, will no doubt, enabled the Nigerian Observer to reach a wider audience, engaging readers through online articles, social media, and multimedia content.
The Nigerian Observer, as a daily newspaper, was established in 1968 in Benin City, Edo State, and has had several notable journalists throughout its history.
These journalists have played significant roles in shaping the newspaper’s reputation and have made notable contributions to the media industry in Nigeria. In fact, the Observer practically served as a breeding ground for other national newspapers, news agencies and electronic media stations who recruited journalists from Benin.
Top journalists like Biodun Aloba and Edwin Swangard (Canadian) served as General Manager at some point. Prince Edun Akenzua was pioneer editor. The great Neville Ukoli, Pius Agun, Eno Ekeli were also there. Tayo Akpata once headed a corporation combining The Observer and Bendel Radio/TV. The Editorial side had John Epete, Sam Eguavoen, Kate Odigie-Oyegun, Adekumbi Ero, Tom Borha, Mike Ogbeide, Tony Tebekaime, George Izobo, James Bello, Blackie Unuigbe, Mike Osunde, the great photographer Ramanu Omozuanfo. Even Andy Akporugo came in as Administrator in the short-lived Samuel Ogbemudia’s second coming as governor. Many of these journalists move on to make their names at the national level, with News Agency of Nigeria and Daily Times benefiting from the Observer ‘training school.’
And do not forget Minere Amakiri – yes, he was the reporter involved in one of the most memorable incidents involving the Nigerian Observer and the then military governor of Rivers State, Commander Alfred Diete Spiff, which is a legacy of media-military relationship in Nigeria during the 1970s.
Minere Amakiri, was the Rivers State Correspondent of the Nigerian Observer, who was detained, flogged and had his head shaved in Port Harcourt on the orders of ASP Ralph Michael Iwowari, the Governor’s ADC, for daring to write an article the Governor did not like and to crown it all, the article was published on the Governor’s birthday, which was like adding salt to injury. Specifically, Amakiri, as Rivers State correspondent wrote a story about teachers strike in Rivers State. The story did not go down well with the Rivers State government because it came out on July 30, 1973, the very day the governor was celebrating his birthday.
His maltreatment was roundly condemned by all and sundry, including the courts, which found in his favour in the suit filed on his behalf by the late fiery lawyer, Gani Fawehinmi. The incident also put The Nigerian Observer in the limelight because Amakiri was their reporter based in Port Harcourt.
The Nigerian Observer was established in 1968 in response to the need for a local newspaper that could provide credible reporting and address issues relevant to the people of the then Midwest State, which later became Bendel State.
Over the decades, the Nigerian Observer expanded its coverage to include national and international news, politics, business, and culture, becoming a prominent daily newspaper in Nigeria. But like many media outlets, the Nigerian Observer has faced challenges, including government censorship and economic pressures, particularly during periods of military rule in Nigeria, although this seems to have become worse even during civilian rule when politicians use state-owned media houses as their mouthpiece.
The three months I spent with the Nigerian Observer as an intern in 1977 during the long vacation from Journalism School was a useful experience in desk journalism and reporting. This pivotal experience, joined about two years in the Bendel State Information Service to serve as a foundation for my journey in journalism, providing me with invaluable skills in desk journalism, reporting, proof reading and page planning of the old order.
There is no doubt that the Nigerian Observer of old served as a significant voice in Nigeria’s media landscape. Not only did it help to provide the needs of the Midwest, Bendel and later Edo State, it gained recognition for its commitment to reporting news and issues pertinent to the local community and beyond.
With the new facilities and hopefully, technologically inclined staff, the newspaper which has undergone various transformations, some not too positive, will try to maintain a dedication to journalistic integrity and community service which the founding fathers and practitioners would be proud of.
