Dele Giwa was a prominent Nigerian journalist who was known for his fearless and investigative style of reporting. He was the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Newswatch magazine, one of the most influential news magazines in Nigeria. His work as a journalist challenged and exposed the corrupt practices of the Nigerian government, making him a target of threats and attacks.
Giwa was born on March 16, 1947, in Ile-Ife, Western Nigeria. He attended the University of Lagos where he studied English literature and graduated with a bachelor's degree. After his graduation, he worked as a teacher and then as a public relations officer for the Nigerian Customs Service.
In 1974, Giwa joined the Daily Times, one of Nigeria's leading newspapers, as a features writer. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the editor of the Sunday Times, a position he held for three years. During his time at the Sunday Times, Giwa gained a reputation for his hard-hitting and critical style of reporting, which often exposed the corruption and mismanagement of the Nigerian government.
In 1983, Giwa and three of his colleagues, Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, and Yakubu Mohammed, decided to break away from the Daily Times and start their own news magazine. They believed that the Nigerian media was not doing enough to hold the government accountable and that there was a need for a new publication that would provide unbiased and investigative journalism. This led to the birth of Newswatch magazine on January 28, 1985.
Newswatch magazine became an instant success, with its circulation reaching over 100,000 copies within a few months. The magazine's success was due to its in-depth and objective reporting on issues such as politics, business, and social issues. It also featured articles on culture, entertainment, and sports, making it a well-rounded publication that appealed to a wide range of readers.
Giwa's leadership and editorial style played a significant role in the success of Newswatch. He was known for his hands-on approach and his insistence on fact-checking and verifying information before publishing. He also encouraged his reporters to be fearless and to dig deep for the truth, even if it meant facing threats and attacks from powerful individuals and institutions.
His fearless reporting and unrelenting criticism of the Nigerian government made Giwa a target. He received numerous death threats and was physically attacked several times. In 1986, a bomb was sent to his office, which fortunately did not detonate. Despite these threats, Giwa refused to be silenced and continued to expose corruption and human rights violations in Nigeria.
However, on October 19, 1986, Giwa's life was cut short when he was assassinated by a letter bomb at his residence in Lagos. His death shocked the nation and sparked outrage among the media and the public. The Nigerian government set up a panel to investigate his death, but no one has ever been charged for his murder.
The legacy of Dele Giwa lives on through Newswatch magazine, which is still in publication today. The magazine continues to uphold Giwa's values of fearless and investigative journalism, and it remains one of the most respected news sources in Nigeria.
In conclusion, Dele Giwa's story is a testament to the power of journalism and the courage of one man to stand up against corruption and injustice. His legacy serves as an inspiration to journalists all over the world, reminding us of the importance of speaking truth to power and holding those in positions of authority accountable for their actions.
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