Founded by Mr. Alex Uruemu Ibru (1945-2011), The Guardian’s (https://Guardian.ng)The foundational purpose of the July 4, 1983 inception was simple: To create an intellectually driven newspaper that provides balanced and factual coverage on events comparable to the best in Nigeria or globally. That philosophy was based on integrity, good conscience, and high ethical standards.
Through the highs of lows of press freedom, human rights violations, breaches of the rule of law, by Nigeria’s military dispensation; to the return to multiparty democratic rule in 1999, and its inherent challenges in a complex multi-ethnic Nigeria, The Guardian has remained at the vanguard of the dissemination of knowledge-driven, evidence-based information, education and policy development, embedding the rule of law, proactively advancing women’s right; and straddling the diverse realms of economics, legal research, nation-building, politics, science and sports.
These remarkable achievements were possible thanks to a formidable team made up of experienced and outstanding journalists, including Emeka Izeze (the pioneer editor), Lade Bonuola (the current Editor in Chief and Managing Director), Martins Oloja, Sonala Olumese, Professor GG darah, and Emeka Izeze.
It is often said that the constancy and stability of change are indefensible. Likewise, the constancy of The Guardian’s commitment to excellent journalism in the decades ahead is, and shall be, non-negotiable under the enduring stewardship of first class editorial board with some of Africa’s finest brains and business icons with impeccable credentials.
Happy birthday to The Guardian — Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru
Lady Maiden Alexibru, the publisher of The Guardian Newspaper, has praised the perseverance of its readers as it marks its 39th anniversary on the newsstand today. She also praised the loyalty of associates and staff who have continued to defend the newspaper’s values.
The newspaper publisher released a statement to mark the occasion and thanked the advertisers for their loyalty to this brand. Her words: “To our advertisers and advertising agencies, we can’t thank you enough for enabling us to keep the flag of our flagship of the Nigerian press flying.”
She added, “I would like to thank you for your commitment and loyalty to our brand for 39 years! We have been going through some economic difficulties that have affected our purchasing power but you have remained resilient. A load of our hearty thanks.”
She also said in the statement, “to all our associates and members of the editorial board, I salute your courage, confidence and grit. You have been amazing, as you have stood for what we stand for over the past 39 years. You have kept the faith by producing an independent newspaper established for the purpose of presenting a balanced coverage of events, of promoting the best interests of Nigeria…”
She continued: “As my late husband, the founder of this newspaper Dr Alex Uruemu Ibru always admonished us in discharging our fundamental objective, “good journalism matters to our quest for nation building.”
“We should continue to practise journalism as a weapon for mass reconstruction of our broken walls in Africa’s most populous nation, Nigeria. This is a good way to continue the legacy of my late husband. It is also my passion.
“We will be alive by His grace next year to mark our 40th Birthday in style!”
Only last year, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo had poured encomiums on the paper at the launch of ‘The Making of The Nigerian Flagship: A Story of The Guardian’, a collection of reminisces by earlier Rutamites, compiled by Aaron Ukodie and O’Seun Ogunseitan,
Osinbajo had noted: “The story of The Guardian Newspaper is significant, for the redefinition it represents for the print media in Nigeria, and for its uniqueness in bringing public intellectuals and academics into journalism and breeding a generation of talented journalists.”
He also said The Guardian upholds “the proud and illustrious tradition of the Nigerian press that practises journalism with a social mission and a commitment to speaking truth to power. It played an important role in the struggles that birthed our democracy, suffering proscription and the firebombing of its business offices at Rutam House.”
He pointed out that in order to understand The Guardian’s significance, it is important for you to place its odyssey in the larger Nigerian story, especially in the context the development of the fourth Estate in Nigeria.
“The Guardian is no longer just a newspaper house, but a public institution – one that has served as an exemplar and a model for generations of media practitioners who replicate its ethos and standards in different ways.
“The Guardian has embodied in these past years fidelity to the principle of balance, objectivity and fair-hearing, not only as a corporate culture but also as a moral obligation to the larger society; that insistence by the gatekeeper that leads are well investigated and reports are well researched before the copy is passed for publication,” the vice president added.
The Guardian is Born
Though the idea of setting up a newspaper was sown early in Dr. Alex Uruemu Ibru’s life, the birth of The Guardian when he had become a contented businessman, a multi-millionaire with considerable influence in business, changed the narrative of newspapering in the country.
Ibru was fascinated with the power of the media to act as an intermediary between government, business and the people. A newspaper could even be used to set the agenda for society.
The idea to launch a newspaper was born in 1976, and The Guardian newspaper launched as a brand in 1980. It was abandoned due to economic recession. However, it was rediscovered when it finally appeared on the newsstand on February 27, 1983.
Five months later, the daily edition was also added to the board on July 4, 1983.
The print media company, after over five years of painstaking incubation began the journey of “providing the best and most authoritative newspaper” as it pursued its philosophical underpinning as “an independent newspaper, established for the purpose of presenting balanced coverage of events, and of promoting the best interest of Nigeria.”
It was designed as a carefully planned and thought out enterprise that would present balanced coverage and project news and views, uphold independence and political neutrality, and elevate the tone and content of public discourse.
The Guardian, a liberal newspaper committed to republican democracy’s best traditions, believes that the State has a responsibility to citizens. This includes creating the political, economic, and cultural conditions that allow all citizens to realize their full potential. And as the ‘flagship of the Nigerian press’, The Guardian directed successive governments and reading public on how best to live.
When the paper came, it was one addiction that everybody had, considering that Daily Times had sunk in reputation, because of its tilt towards becoming government ‘megaphone’. Many couldn’t get rid of it.
The Guardian transformed news, providing rich content to the public in an enriching manner. Sensationalist news packaging has been replaced by moderate news presentation with detailed backgrounding. Elevated prose made its way into news reporting. The front page wasn’t just for politicians and political actors. There were also other less dramatic topics. The effort was made to attract the discerning reader, who enjoy news beyond the headlines.
It was a strong voice that changed journalism in the country. It set out to fulfill that mission. It gave voice to the voiceless and became the ‘conscience of the nation’.
As the ‘flagship of the Nigerian press’, The Guardian directed successive governments and reading public on how best to live. It was all about justice, public good, for the staff. Rutam House was like the Vatican for over three decades.
The paper was supported by a team of intellectuals that included literary scholars (authors, creative authors, critics, and academics in the humanities). There was no other choice than to lean towards intellectualism.
Stanley Macebuh was a columnist who is widely regarded as one of the best in the country. He was the Executive Editor/Managing Director of the newspaper while Lade Bonuola was the Associate Editor.
Opinion writing saw a renaissance as well, which brought in specialisation. The editorial board attracted eggheads on campus, enriching the art and science of informed commentary.
The Guardian had a structure that allowed for a lot of professionals to contribute regularly, so there was never a dull moment while reading the Op-ed pages. Olatunji dare was not the only veteran writer. Prof. Tam David West, Prof. Claude Ake and Bishop Hassan Kukah were also contributors. Prof. Green Nwankwo was the late Chief Tony Enahoro. The late Chief Gani Fawehinmi. Prof. Festus Iyayi, Nnimmo Basey, and Alao Aka Bashorun were all regular contributors to the Op-ed pages.
The Guardian fulfilled its mandate and established itself as a newspaper of record, influence, and major platform for promoting the interests of the voiceless in society.
The Guardian Newspaper has always acted as a watchdog when it comes to matters that touch on code conduct for public officials in Nigeria and private individuals in Nigeria. The newspaper was a strong opponent to military rule.
Tunde Thompson and NdukaIrabor were both arrested in 1984 under Decree No. 4 of 1984, which prohibited journalistic freedom. The paper’s political editor, Krees Imodibie, was killed in the course of duty in Liberia.
In his scholarly article titled “Journalism in Nigeria: A Historical Overview” and published in 1996 in “Journalism in Nigeria: Issues and Perspectives”, Prof. Omu wrote further: “The Guardian calls itself the flagship of the Nigerian press and so it really is. It is unquestionably the most influential newspaper in Nigeria, and its brand has had a profound impact on Nigerian journalism.
“The principles, which it espouses and the standards which it represents, set it out as a national institution. The Guardian is a respected newspaper in Africa, thanks to its polished language, intellectual approach to debate and controversy, its perceptive and persuasive analysis and interpretation, and its promotion of ideological pluralism. Its journalistic achievements are bound to influence the newspaper industry for a long time.”
Despite the many changes in the media industry over the years, including so many publications going out of business before and after The Guardian was founded, The Guardian has remained on the newsstand and continues to provide compelling reports for Nigerians as well as non-Nigerians.
Although the publication began as a 16-page paper, it was published pre-COVID on an average of 64 pages, sometimes over 100 pages, and with increased advertising sales. However, the Coronavirus (COVID-19), pandemic, has resulted in a substantial reduction in pagination across all print media outlets.
The Guardian has been around for 39 years. It has been edited by great journalists like Lade Bonuola and Emeka Izeze, Femi Kusa and Emeka Izeze. Martins Oloja, Abraham Ogbodo, and Debo Adesina. Alabi Williams, currently the editor of The Guardian, was appointed to duty on June 8, 2020. He joined other professionals who were also promoted to different posts.
Kabir Alabi Garba (Editor, The Guardian Sunday) and Francis Chuks Nwanne(Editor, The Guardian Saturday). Two insiders also served as Acting editors for the newspaper: Jewell dafinone (January 2016 to June 2016), and Dr. Paul Onomuakpokpo (1 July 2019 to 4 June 2020).
The Guardian’s courage and professionalism have been rewarded with many awards, including the Diamond Award for Media Excellence (DAME), Nigeria Media Merit Award(NMMA), Cable News Network Network (CNN), African Journalist of The Year (AJA) and many other prestigious prizes. The Guardian was among the first to be recognized by DAME. In 2001, The Guardian won the Newspaper of the Decade and in 2011, The Punch shared the Newspaper of the Decade.
Distributed by APO Group for The Guardian
APO has issued this Press Release. APO has issued this Press Release. The content has not been reviewed by African Business’ editorial team. The content of this announcement is solely at the issuer’s responsibility.
Source: african.business
