Dele Giwa: The Man In 30 Years, The Journalist And The Mighty Pen That Lives On
I'm well sure many don't even know him, not to talk of remembering him. Well, it's the configuration the system we find ourselves has made. For history's case and sake, Sumonu Oladele Giwa born on March 16, 1947 from the prestigious Ile-Ife died October 19, 1986 (Age 39)in Ikeja, Lagos.
He remains the journalist if not the most prominent to have died by a Mail bomb explosion as a present from the demons in governance then.
We find these demons in the nation's farmland today harvesting the wealth of the land, milking the nation's purse dry and uprooting every form of justice and voices of truth. Dele Giwa was a journalist who the government of General Ibrahim Babangida felt was too taciturn over and keen on truth.
He died two days after he had been interviewed by State Security Service officials (SSS).He was seen as too revolutionary and he did this through his Newswatch which was set up in 1984. This paper is said to have revolutionalized Nigeria print media.
He was a model of truth, stood for truth and wanted the best for the nation. His pen shed tears today exactly 30 years ago when he was assassinated. This cycle has been, and will continue. Those who stand for truth are either shuffled out of existence, incarcerated or enticed with federal packages which keeps their lips sealed.
This is a nation many have said is not ripe for self-rule and probably needs a recolonization, for instance, according to Republican candidate, Donald Trump; "In my opinion, most of these African countries [like Nigeria] ought to be recolonized again for another 100 years because they know nothing about leadership and self-governance.”
The nation's leaders plunge the nation's ship to capsizing and have no dream for the nation and the people. Let Dele Giwa be a model for all of us. I'm writing this to Nigerians particularly youths who are waiting on the government to make life better and help them achieve destiny and fulfill purpose. Your destiny is in your hands, not that of our leaders.
Let me remind you as I end my whistling that the pockets and stomachs are the concerns of leadership in Nigeria, not you or your life. They less have us in hearts. Today, the world remembers Dele Giwa as a hero and a mighty pen that lives on.
To this end, there are complications behind Dele Giwa's death which you'd be interested to know, his background and life which is one to draw inspiration from. I drop my gong and sip my emu. Ride on!
Badiru Kehinde
(Poet, Essayist, Fiction Writer, Grad. Student, Osun Student University)
19/10/16