By Babatunde Ayedoju
As members of the pen profession in Nigeria remember the legendary Nigerian investigative journalist, Dele Giwa, who was assassinated through a parcel bomb in 1986, veteran journalists have described him as an exemplary journalist who gave his best to the profession.
Former editor of The Hope Newspaper, Mr. Banji Ayoola, described the late Dele Giwa as a master story teller who was into real investigative journalism and had an eye for detail.
“He was very exemplary. He left for Nigerian journalism a model to follow which many are copying today; he was truly a star,” he said.
While noting that justice had not been served in the assassination of Dele Giwa, Ayoola admonished contemporary journalists to emulate his exceptional qualities such as diligence, thoroughness and boldness.
He advised that journalists in this era need to show deep commitment to the profession and strive for excellence.
Another veteran journalist who is a seasoned broadcaster, Mr. Daisi Ajayi, described Dele Giwa as an exceptional journalist who practised at a time when the Nigerian media industry was not as populated as it is today.
He referred to the life of Dele Giwa, as a challenge for contemporary journalists to go back to the basics and uphold the ethics of the media profession, stressing the need for present-day journalists to emulate the qualities that made Dele Giwa stand out in his time.
While lamenting that justice had not been served even 39 years after Dele Giwa was murdered, Ajayi charged young journalists of today to go back to the drawing board, be firm, bold and take responsibility without minding whose horse is gored.
“Such attributes make us to still remember Dele Giwa even in death and will make any journalist stand out till today,” he added.