DistantNews
Support us
Dance, laughter as Vanguard’s ex-staff return home to launch book, dine, wine with the family
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Culture & Society

Dance, laughter as Vanguard’s ex-staff return home to launch book, dine, wine with the family

From Vanguard · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

In-depth Named sources Context piece
  • Former staff of Vanguard newspaper held a reunion and book launch to celebrate 40 years of the publication and honor its founder, Sam Amuka-Pemu.
  • The event in Lagos was attended by prominent figures from politics, business, and media, including former governors and media executives.
  • Attendees shared tributes and memories, highlighting Amuka-Pemu's mentorship and the newspaper's editorial independence.

Lagos buzzed with nostalgia and celebration last Wednesday as former staff of Vanguard newspaper returned for a joyous reunion and book launch. The event honored the newspaper's patriarch, Sam Amuka-Pemu, affectionately known as Uncle Sam, marking 40 years since Vanguard's founding.

The air at the Civic Centre on Victoria Island was thick with memories, laughter, and profound gratitude. Journalists mentored and nurtured by Amuka-Pemu, now scattered across the globe, gathered to express their thanks. This homecoming revived old bonds and served as a powerful reminder of the newspaper's origins and the enduring impact of its founder's guidance.

Amuka-Pemu, visibly moved and honored, stood in quiet awe as tributes poured in, celebrating the lives his mentorship had shaped. The event, a testament to the enduring power of mentorship, drew a distinguished crowd. Friends of Vanguard, political figures, business leaders, diplomats, security officials, and media personalities joined former and current Vanguard staff.

Rather than interfere with the newspaper’s editorial decision, Amuka referred me to the editor, Eze Anaba. I was embarrassed.

— Olusegun OsobaRecounting an instance where Sam Amuka-Pemu upheld the newspaper's editorial independence.

Among the notable attendees were representatives of former Head of State General Ibrahim Babangida, Professor Mohammed Yahaya Kuta, former Governors Olusegun Osoba and Rotimi Amaechi, and Peter Obi. Publisher of This Day Newspaper Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Nigeria Labour Congress President Joe Ajaero (also a former Vanguard staff), and Inspector General of Police Olatunji Disu were also present.

Olusegun Osoba recounted Amuka-Pemu's significant journey in Nigerian journalism, including his role in establishing The Punch before founding Vanguard in 1984. He praised Amuka-Pemu for upholding Vanguard's editorial independence, sharing an anecdote where he was referred to the editor, Eze Anaba, when he tried to discuss the paper's stance on the APC during the 2023 election campaign. Osoba lauded Amuka-Pemu as a "generalissimo of journalism in Nigeria."

a generalissimo of journalism in Nigeria.

— Olusegun OsobaDescribing Sam Amuka-Pemu's stature in the Nigerian journalism landscape.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog