Media Icons, Oborevwori Laud Nduka Obaigbena at 67, THISWEEK's 40th Anniversary

A gathering of esteemed personalities, including Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and several luminaries from Nigeria's media sector, converged last night to honour Prince Nduka Obaigbena. The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of THISDAY and Arise Group was celebrated for his 67th birthday, alongside the 40th anniversary of THISWEEK Magazine's establishment. Speakers lauded Obaigbena as a visionary leader whose courageous approach has revolutionized journalism, extending its influence far beyond Nigeria's borders.

Governor Oborevwori, speaking on Tuesday in Asaba through his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, recognized Obaigbena as an influential figure in Africa with an enduring legacy in the global journalism and communication industry. He commended Obaigbena for his significant contributions to the growth of Nigeria’s media landscape and his steadfast dedication to promoting credible journalism over decades. The governor proudly described Obaigbena as an illustrious son of Delta State, an acclaimed African media icon and entrepreneur, who has consistently elevated the state's profile nationally and internationally.

Oborevwori highlighted that the renowned publisher and businessman “has distinguished himself as an innovative media executive whose vision transformed newspaper publishing and television broadcasting” while setting new benchmarks for excellence in the profession. He observed that Obaigbena’s leadership of THISDAY Newspapers and ARISE News has been instrumental in strengthening democratic values, broadening public discourse, and amplifying Nigeria’s voice on the global media stage. The governor also reminisced about Obaigbena’s impactful tenure as President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), noting it as a period marked by robust advocacy for press freedom, professionalism, and the advancement of the media industry.

“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I heartily congratulate our distinguished son and brother, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, as he marks his 67th birthday,” Oborevwori stated. He added, “Your remarkable achievements in media entrepreneurship and your enduring contributions to journalism have earned you respect both within Nigeria and internationally. Through your visionary leadership, you have built enduring media institutions that continue to shape public opinion, deepen democratic engagement, and inspire a new generation of media professionals. We are proud of your accomplishments and the positive image you have brought to Delta State and Nigeria through your outstanding career.” The governor concluded by praying for divine blessings upon the media icon, wishing him good health, renewed strength, and many more years of impactful service to the media profession, the nation, and humanity.

Meanwhile, at the THISWEEK 40th anniversary event held on Tuesday in Lagos, prominent figures within Nigeria’s media industry showered praise on Obaigbena, who also founded the social media platform Lekeleke. They specifically acknowledged his unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and independent reporting, noting that his influence has profoundly shaped generations of journalists and redefined media practices in Nigeria. These veteran media professionals shared their sentiments at a cocktail reception in Lagos.

Aremo Olusegun Osoba, former Governor of Ogun State and erstwhile Editor of Daily Times, remarked, “We have come a long way together. I am happy I gave him (Obaigbena) all the encouragement because in was in Daily Times then. I supported him and I am happy that he is bigger than me today. The prayer we always pray is that our younger ones should be bigger than us. I am happy to see you grow. You have done what so many media houses have not done and I pray you keep growing bigger.”

Chief Lawson Omokhodion, former Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Bank and a past Economy/Business Editor of THISWEEK, recounted how his long-standing friendship with Obaigbena influenced his decision to leave Newswatch and join the newly established THISWEEK. He explained that their bond dated back to their school days in the early 1970s, evolving into a deep trust that led to Obaigbena inviting him to join the publication. Omokhodion recalled resigning from Newswatch despite colleagues' concerns, driven by his belief in Obaigbena’s vision. He took leave immediately after his resignation, fully confident in the opportunities awaiting him at THISWEEK. He added that his transition garnered widespread attention after his name appeared in THISWEEK's inaugural edition as Business and Economy Editor, while simultaneously featuring in Newswatch as Business Editor that same week. This unusual occurrence, he said, sparked intense curiosity across the media industry, with journalists and readers eager to understand the story behind his dual appearance in two competing magazines. He lauded Obaigbena for his foresight in establishing THISWEEK.

Omokhodion further recalled that during periods of particularly explosive cover stories, reporters often had to be moved under the cover of darkness and hidden in hotels for their safety. He mentioned that the magazine maintained safe houses where journalists frequently stayed after producing high-impact investigative reports, especially given the brutal military regime of that era. Despite the hostile environment, THISWEEK continued to thrive under Obaigbena, whom Omokhodion described as a visionary with an unyielding resolve to succeed. Drawing a parallel with former United States President Barack Obama’s famous campaign slogan, “Yes, we can,” Omokhodion asserted that Obaigbena’s philosophy was, “Yes, we will”—and he consistently transformed audacious ideas into reality. He added that THISWEEK published stories others would not dare to touch, frequently attracting raids and harassment by security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS). Yet, Obaigbena remained resolute, never wavering in his defense of the magazine’s editorial independence. “Nduka, may your shadow never grow dim. May your success never cease,” Omokhodion concluded.

Lanre Idowu, one of THISWEEK’s founding editors, reminisced about the magazine’s public launch 40 years ago at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA). He described it as the genesis of a bold vision that transformed Nigerian journalism. He recounted how the magazine’s founders audaciously declared at the launch that their closest competitor was Time magazine, a claim that surprised many media colleagues. Idowu noted that while the assertion initially met skepticism from some journalists, the team remained committed to its vision of establishing a world-class Nigerian publication. He emphasized that the 40th anniversary served as a reminder of THISWEEK’s pioneering role in shaping the country’s media landscape, stressing that the magazine laid the groundwork for what later became THISDAY. “For as long as THISDAY exists,” he affirmed, “the memory and legacy of THISWEEK will never be forgotten.”

Ray Ekpu, a co-founder of Newswatch magazine and veteran journalist, reflected on the intense rivalry between Newswatch and THISWEEK in the 1980s, characterizing it as a healthy competition that spurred both publications to excel. Ekpu recalled that the two magazines closely monitored each other weekly, each striving to outperform the other through superior journalism. He noted that this era of fierce competition significantly elevated professional standards in the Nigerian media industry, a level of rivalry he believes has since diminished. He commended Obaigbena for successfully transforming THISWEEK from a weekly news magazine into THISDAY, describing the newspaper as one of the country’s finest in terms of editorial quality and design. He pointed out Obaigbena’s creativity, evident in various innovations, including moving opinion columns to the back page—a format many Nigerian newspapers have since adopted. Ekpu also expressed concern over the growing influence of social media, warning that it poses a serious challenge to credible journalism by blurring the lines between fact and fiction.