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| Editor-in-Chief, Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa |
On this date, precisely 19th October 1986, the Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch Magazine, Dele Giwa, one of Nigeria’s most seasoned, most investigative and most enterprising journalists was killed via an unsuspected, parceled bomb. The bomb exploded on him at his Ikeja home and even though he was rushed to the hospital, he died shortly after. 30 years after, the assassination of Dele Giwa remains unraveled.
I read the biography of Dele Giwa, titled “Born To Run” by Dele Olojede and Adinoyi Ojo as a 14 years old boy. It was my first biography. Never had I read of a young man who did not his love natural circumstances and with determination turned it around so compellingly and legitimately. Dele Giwa fights for everything because none was ready to present itself to him on a platter. His determination to succeed was unstoppable.
If Dele Giwa hates his parent’s home, he will work hard at finding a better place to stay. If he is determined to win you at sports, expect a shocker because he won’t joke with even the toughest workouts to achieve that goal. If Dele Giwa requests for a camera from you and you reneged on his request on his birthday such that he was embarrassed, he could come to the birthday to swear that he will buy the best camera in the world one day. And on the day he buys that best camera in the world a decade later, he will call his guys that were present at that birthday. If he likes you as a friend, he will do all to keep that friendship except you misbehave. He could go as far as correcting a New York Times publication and end up getting a job there.
Dele Giwa went hard at everything. He was rarely satisfied with the status quo. He was never afraid of competing and like a Jew; he believes he is in control of his destiny. He brought a new dimension to investigative journalism when he returned from the US. Dele Giwa first sought hard for world class education got it and then worked at becoming a professional. He worked hard as an employee, ensuring he learnt from the best at Daily Times and when it was time to start Newswatch, hmmmm a magazine whose sales should take a whole week finished before Monday noon! Dele Giwa learnt early how professionalism and entrepreneurship must transfuse into a brand. This is what every smart Nigerian graduate today is looking for.
30 years today after that bomb explosion, Dele Giwa’s death still remains a mystery. There are more than 5 different versions of the cause of Dele Giwa’s assassination. Nobody is above the law is an untrue statement in Nigeria. For years , Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi pleaded to have an opportunity to ask the suspects in this matter 53 questions in a court of law in Nigeria but it seems the state has taken a decision on it There are people in Nigeria who can never stand before a judge. Infact there are people who once had rights not to appear in court on this matter. I wished Dele Giwa made it and did not die. I wished to see that conversation between Dele Giwa and Gani Fawehinmi where a case would have emerged. How tense will it be to see Gani Fawehinmi and Dele Giwa debate and argue on national issues? You could still feel that anger in Gani’s voice at the Oputa panel. To him, it was the loss of a gem! Even President Olusegun Obasanjo came to defend his case on the alleged killing of the activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and was thoroughly questioned by Femi Falana even if his responses were quite rude. At least he came. For Dele Giwa, nobody showed up and nothing happened!
Dele Giwa in his words once said”if not now but certainly later, the victory of evil over good is always temporary. I just hope God does not keep everybody in the same place when they die. I pray he doesnt. Because if He does, I know there are people there waiting for people here with machetes for a one-on-one massacre of a guilty newcomer. You know there will be no battalions, operatives or ADC behind anyone there. I look at the story of the successful Swedish scientist, Alfred Nobel who started the Nobel Prize and wonder if some Nigerians really care about what they will be called when they die. Even Obasanjo cares about it.
Rest in Peace Dele Giwa. May your spirit stay gracious. May your memory remain blessed.
I read the biography of Dele Giwa, titled “Born To Run” by Dele Olojede and Adinoyi Ojo as a 14 years old boy. It was my first biography. Never had I read of a young man who did not his love natural circumstances and with determination turned it around so compellingly and legitimately. Dele Giwa fights for everything because none was ready to present itself to him on a platter. His determination to succeed was unstoppable.
If Dele Giwa hates his parent’s home, he will work hard at finding a better place to stay. If he is determined to win you at sports, expect a shocker because he won’t joke with even the toughest workouts to achieve that goal. If Dele Giwa requests for a camera from you and you reneged on his request on his birthday such that he was embarrassed, he could come to the birthday to swear that he will buy the best camera in the world one day. And on the day he buys that best camera in the world a decade later, he will call his guys that were present at that birthday. If he likes you as a friend, he will do all to keep that friendship except you misbehave. He could go as far as correcting a New York Times publication and end up getting a job there.
Dele Giwa went hard at everything. He was rarely satisfied with the status quo. He was never afraid of competing and like a Jew; he believes he is in control of his destiny. He brought a new dimension to investigative journalism when he returned from the US. Dele Giwa first sought hard for world class education got it and then worked at becoming a professional. He worked hard as an employee, ensuring he learnt from the best at Daily Times and when it was time to start Newswatch, hmmmm a magazine whose sales should take a whole week finished before Monday noon! Dele Giwa learnt early how professionalism and entrepreneurship must transfuse into a brand. This is what every smart Nigerian graduate today is looking for.
30 years today after that bomb explosion, Dele Giwa’s death still remains a mystery. There are more than 5 different versions of the cause of Dele Giwa’s assassination. Nobody is above the law is an untrue statement in Nigeria. For years , Late Chief Gani Fawehinmi pleaded to have an opportunity to ask the suspects in this matter 53 questions in a court of law in Nigeria but it seems the state has taken a decision on it There are people in Nigeria who can never stand before a judge. Infact there are people who once had rights not to appear in court on this matter. I wished Dele Giwa made it and did not die. I wished to see that conversation between Dele Giwa and Gani Fawehinmi where a case would have emerged. How tense will it be to see Gani Fawehinmi and Dele Giwa debate and argue on national issues? You could still feel that anger in Gani’s voice at the Oputa panel. To him, it was the loss of a gem! Even President Olusegun Obasanjo came to defend his case on the alleged killing of the activist Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and was thoroughly questioned by Femi Falana even if his responses were quite rude. At least he came. For Dele Giwa, nobody showed up and nothing happened!
Dele Giwa in his words once said”if not now but certainly later, the victory of evil over good is always temporary. I just hope God does not keep everybody in the same place when they die. I pray he doesnt. Because if He does, I know there are people there waiting for people here with machetes for a one-on-one massacre of a guilty newcomer. You know there will be no battalions, operatives or ADC behind anyone there. I look at the story of the successful Swedish scientist, Alfred Nobel who started the Nobel Prize and wonder if some Nigerians really care about what they will be called when they die. Even Obasanjo cares about it.
Rest in Peace Dele Giwa. May your spirit stay gracious. May your memory remain blessed.
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