MEDIA
Goodnight, sports journalism legend, Ojeagbase
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BY KUNLE SOLAJA
Nigeria’s sports journalism community has just lost a rare gem, Dr. Emmanuel Sunny Ojeagbase who was formerly known as Sunny Obazu-Ojeagbase. This is barely two months after his 71st birthday.
He was the founder of the longest running all-sports news publication outfit in Nigeria, the Complete Sports Communication which has rolled out more sports publications than any other organization in Nigeria.
His contribution to sports journalism is not limited to the establishment of Complete Sports Communication, he contributed hugely to human capital development. Many big names in journalism generally and sports journalism in particular at one time or the other pass through what is easily the ‘Sunny Ojeagbase School of Journalism’.
His stable has seen the development of notable sports journalists. Standing tall among these is Dr. Mumini Alao, the organisation’s Deputy Editor-in-Chief and Group Managing Director.
As a thorough-bred sports journalist, he is the longest serving editorial member of the organisation which he joined in 1988, making him the Nigerian Lionel Messi of sports journalism.
His long service in just one organisation is teaching other professionals the need for perseverance, dedication and loyalty. Alao in 1996 had the honour of being the first to win both the Nigerian Media Merit Award (NMMA) and Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME) sport sports writing in the same year.
Ojeagbase’s stable has also produced the likes Simon Kolawole, Tunde Sulaimon, Ehi Braimah, Ejiro Omonode, Taiye Ige and Frank Ilaboya among others.
The former soldier turned journalist, publisher and businessman as well as inspirational figure was born on 31 December 1950 in Oshogbo which is the capital of Osun State in South West Nigeria.
Being born on that day in Yoruba land and as he was very fluent in the Yoruba language even though he was ancestrally from Edo State, he could have been called Abiodun as his birth date coincided with festive period.
He became a trail blazer with his Sports Souvenir which hit the newsstands in November 1984 as Nigeria’s first all sports weekly publication that was unrelated to pools betting unlike the Sporting Record of the then Daily Times of Nigeria.
Yet, the advent of Sports Souvenir was not the beginning of Ojeagbase’s sporting journalism career. He was hitherto unheralded when he was a freelancer for Herald newspapers in Ilorin and the New Nigerian in Kaduna before doing the same for Daily Times in Lagos.
At the time, he was in the Nigerian Army which he joined in 1969, a year to the end of the Nigerian Civil War. In 1979, the soldier journalist voluntarily retired as a corporal to take a full time sports writing job under the celebrated Solomon Babatunde Oshuntolu (ESBEE) in the Daily Times.
That was the launch pad into great fame. The hitherto golden fish can find no hiding place in the waters again. In 1980, he joined the Concord Press of Nigeria and was editing the sports pages of Sunday Concord.
Here, his writings, largely in simple flowing English and in-depth analyses were delightful to read. One of such was the unearthing of the causes of frictions that existed between the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC) and the then government-ran National Sports Commission (NSC). the Sunday Concord write-up captioned “Strange Doings at NOC” was published on August 8, 1982.
It was a hallmark of investigative journalism and in-depth reporting.
Ojeagbase traced these to 1966 in the days leading to Nigeria’s participation at the Commonwealth Games in Kingston, Jamaica when a newly appointed NSC military helmsman, Colonel Mike Okwechime broke into a meeting of the NOC under the presidency of Adetokunbo Ademola.
Another masterpiece of Ojeagbase in the Sunday Concord was his unearthing the remote and immediate causes of Nigeria’s elimination from the 1982 World Cup qualifying series.
He easily fitted in into the high-profile journalism package that The Guardian set out to achieve when the acclaimed flagship of Nigerian print journalism began in 1983.
At The Guardian, he headed a power-packed sports desk that included Michel Obi, Trigo Egbegi, Chris Okojie, Ikeddy Isiguzo, and Sam John among others. Interestingly, all later became sports editors of notable Nigerian publications.
He left The Guardian and set up Sports Souvenir in November 1984 to begin his illustrious career as a publisher and entrepreneur. A year later, he founded the Complete Football magazine as the first colour sports magazine in Nigeria.
As its title implies, it was devoted entirely to football and profited greatly from Nigeria’s exploits at the inaugural FIFA under 16 World Tournament in China. Six years later, other titles came in quick succession – the International Soccer Review, Complete Football International and Complete Football Extra which was devoted to the domestic Nigerian football.
On 18 December 1995, Ojeagbase’s Complete Communications Limited rolled out the Complete Sports newspaper which has remained not just the market leader, but the longest running daily sports newspaper in Nigeria.
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MEDIA
International Association of Women Police honours News Central TV
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News Central TV has been honoured with a distinguished award for its role in supporting women across the nation.
The Managing Director of News Central, Kayode Akintemi, received the award on behalf of the media agency at the International Association of Women Police (IAWP) Conference held in Abuja.
The award is a recognition of News Central’s commitment to promoting gender equality, empowering women in law enforcement, developmental journalism and community engagement.
The IAWP Conference renowned for its dedication to celebrating the achievements of women in law enforcement and their allies, presented Akintemi with the award in acknowledgment of News Central TV’s impactful contributions to society.
The conference brought together influential leaders, policy makers, and advocates from around the globe to discuss and address critical issues facing women in law enforcement and beyond.
Across Nigeria, News Central is renowned for championing initiatives that empower women and promote diversity within the media industry.
The station has been instrumental in providing a platform for women’s voices, addressing social issues, and fostering a culture of inclusivity. The award further highlights News Central’s dedication and commitment to the cause.
Commenting on the award, the Managing Director expressed gratitude and emphasized the importance of continued efforts towards gender equality and social justice.
“It is an honor to receive this recognition on behalf of News Central TV. Our mission has always been to create a media landscape that is reflective of our diverse society and to empower women to tell their stories.
“This award motivates us to continue our work with even greater passion and determination,” Akintemi said.
News Central TV remains committed to its core values of integrity, innovation, and inclusivity. The station will continue to leverage its platform to advocate for positive change, support women in the media, and contribute to the overall betterment of society
MEDIA
Tenacious Tana gets accolades over his elevation as The Punch Deputy Editor
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One of Nigeria’s most enterprising sports journalists, Tana Aiyejina who was Group Sports Editor of The Punch, has been elevated to the position of Deputy Editor of the newspaper.
A basketball promoter, Igoche Mark has congratulated the journalist who is well known for his in-depth reporting.
Mark, renowned for his contributions to the growth of basketball in Nigeria, through his Mark D’ Ball Basketball Championship sponsorship, praised Aiyejina’s dexterity and dedication to quality sports news reporting.
“Mr. Tana Aiyejina’s elevation as Deputy Editor of The Punch Newspapers is a testament to his dexterity and dedication to quality sports news reportage from his days as a green horn sports reporter with The National Mirror,” he said.
Aiyejina, who hails from Edo State, has earned the moniker ‘Tenacious Tana’ for his objective and tenacious approach to sports journalism.
Mark commended the sports editor’s remarkable track record, stating, “He has always discharged his duties with objectivity and tenacity, a trade mark that earned him the moniker ‘Tenacious Tana.’”
Looking ahead, Mark urged Aiyejina to continue his valuable contributions to the sports sector, saying, “My charge to you as a stakeholder in sports is never to leave the sector, as together let’s build Nigerian sports to an enviable height.”
“The promotion of Tana Aiyejina to the position of Deputy Editor at The Punch Newspapers is a testament to his unwavering commitment to sports journalism and his ability to consistently deliver high-quality reporting. This recognition is sure to inspire other sports journalists to strive for excellence in their craft,” Mark added.
MEDIA
Benin sports followers lament blackout of international sporting events
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Watching international sports events, including those of the national teams, has become a huge luxury, if not totally impossible in Benin Republic.
The blames are often put on government advisers who probably have not realised the importance of sports in the society.
Fingers point at two personalities – Sinatou Saka and Jean-Marc Adjovi Bocco. Saka was last year appointed representative of the Beninese state on the board of directors of the joint audiovisual company. She is a journalist specializing in digital entrepreneurship.
Bocco, a former professional footballer who played in the defence line of Benin national team is the technical adviser to the minister of sports.
Both were expected to use their good offices to advise government on issues of broadcast rights such that citizens could have access to international sports events, especially football.
They seem to have the views that watching international sports should remain a luxury owing to high cost of buying broadcast rights. The context in France seems to be the yardstick being employed while in the Beninese environment, sponsorship and advertisement is still very weak.
And even when the rights sellers revise the figures downwards, Sinatou Saka is believed to have turned down the offers. Peoples’ passion for sports is often overlooked. Bocco, too despite being a sports personality has not offered any assistance thus depriving millions of Beninese people of these rare moments of happiness around national teams and their athletes.
It is expected that the duo would advise the government to amortize the cost of television rights to relieve the citizens and Beninese generally.
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