By Balogun Omeiza David (BOD)
History will always remain a silent teacher that screams only to those who are willing to listen. The story of Dele Giwa is not just a tale buried in the dusty archives of Nigeria’s past; it is a living parable, a cautionary drumbeat echoing across generations of journalists who dare to speak truth to power.
On the 19th of October, 1986, the pen of a fearless man was silenced not by argument, not by debate, but by a parcel of death; a letter bomb that shattered not only his body but the illusion of safety in the noble profession of journalism. Dele Giwa was a co-founder of the once revered Newswatch magazine, became a martyr in a land where truth often walks barefoot on thorns.
Till this day, the question lingers like smoke in harmattan asking “Who killed Dele Giwa?” The answer has remained elusive, dancing and parading the Nigerian landscape like a masquerade that refuses to unveil its face for its identity to be known. We live in a Nigeria where the owl hoots at noon and men pretend not to see or hear its eerie sound. In our dear country, mysteries are often buried deeper than the corpses they produce. The death of Dele Giwa is a drumbeat that has changed the narratives for Journalists in Nigeria yet, many have continued to dance as though the rhythm remained the same.
Let us speak the truth plainly as it is in our local parlance, “na person wey die; na im die, and im death no fit stop the world to kwatinu im waka.” When Dele Giwa fell, the presses of Newswatch did not fall silent. Ink continued to flow. Editions were printed. The world moved on with the cold indifference of time. Even his memory was confined to a modest corner of Newswatch magazine in black and white, asking the haunting question that begged for an answer till the magazine became defunct.
Life, as cruel as it can be, did not pause for a second. A huge progress was made in the lives of those he left behind. One of his wives that their marriage lasted for ten months, Florence Ita Giwa, moved on to become a Senator. His entire family carried on. The river of existence flowed forward, swallowing grief in its smoothly and speedy current. For as our elders in Ebira land do say: “no matter how long the night, the day will surely break.”
Now, to the matter at hand. Seun Okinbaloye, a vibrant voice in Nigeria’s broadcast space, stands at a crossroads where courage must shake hands with caution. His bold commentary on political developments, particularly the creeping shadow of a one-party dominance, stirred the hornet’s nest. From that nest came a troubling utterance from Nyesom Wike, a statement suggesting that, “if given the chance, he would have shot Seun Okibaloye.” The highly respected political midfield maestro has come out to say that his statement is nothing but simply a figure of speech. He went further to say that he has a close relationship with Seun Okibaloye of Channels TV. I also want to believe that Nyesom Wike, a man who studied Law and understand how powerful words are travelled an extra mile by getting married to the figure of speech known as hyperbole to say what he said. It is just like when an Ebira man says, “I exerted much energy on the turning stick to make amala and now a hole has appeared on the bottom of the clay pot.”
Howbeit, words are not mere sounds carried by the wind; they are seeds. I strongly believe that Nyesom Wike has also cautioned himself from using expressions or figures of speech many will hear of and frown at such. Some words germinate into peace, others into chaos. An Ebira proverb reminds us that: “the tongue has no bone, yet it can break the strongest back.” Even when spoken in jest, the word “kill” is not a feather. It is indeed a stone. It sinks deep into the consciousness and lingers like a shadow at dusk. We must not be naïve. Power, like fire, can warm but can also consume and those who sit close to it must be mindful of the sparks. Our fathers in Ebira land created the awareness in us when they said: “he who walks through a field of thorns must wear strong shoes.”
Journalism in Nigeria is to be likened to a thorny field. This is not a call to cowardice. It is actually far from it. Our Ebira people do say that: “the animal that has entered the hole is what has called for the attention of the hoes.” Courage is the lifeblood of journalism. But wisdom is its compass. The Holy Book reminds us that wisdom is profitable to direct. To be brave without caution is to sail a ship without a rudder; the waves will decide your fate.
If anything happens to Seun Okinbaloye (God forbid!) the wheels of Channels Television will not cease to turn. The station, under the leadership of John Momoh (OON), will continue its broadcast. The cameras will roll. The microphones will echo. For as the world has shown time and again, institutions outlive individuals. This is the bitter truth that many refuse to swallow. As we all know, the grave is silent, but the world is noisy and unrelenting.
The balancing of this matter lies in the understanding of one of our Ebira elders proverbs that counsels: “the fly that ignores advice follows the corpse to the grave.” It lies in recognizing that not every battle must be fought with bare hands. It lies in knowing when to speak, how to speak, and where to draw the line between bravery and recklessness.
Nigeria is a land vast in geography and even vaster in contradictions. A place where, sadly, the lives of citizens sometimes appear cheaper than the comfort of the powerful. To die for truth is noble, but to live and continue speaking that truth is even more impactful.
Let no one misunderstand this message. This is not fear speaking. This is wisdom raising its voice above the noise. For as our Ebira elders would say: “a wise man who runs away from danger lives to fight another day.” The same elders from Ebira land made us to understand that: “it is the coward that urinates conveniently on the grave of the brave.”
I want to urge my colleague in the media world, Seun Okinbaloye to take heed for the days are indeed evil. The power that will kill and maim does not advertise its intentions on the forehead. The heart of man, as the scripture says, “is desperately wicked.”The truth remains as our elders in Ebira land posit that: “you cannot always predict the storm by looking at the sky.”
A word, indeed, is enough for the wise.
Let the story of Dele Giwa not be just a tale told, but a lesson learned. For an Ebira proverb says: “the tortoise falls and breaks its shell, it is not only a tragedy, it is a warning to others climbing the same tree. May wisdom guide the pen, and may caution guard the voice.
– Balogun Omeiza David (BOD) writes from Lokoja, Kogi state and can be reached via 08069740330.
