The death of the veteran journalist and role model, Chief Duro Onabule, is a great loss to the country and the media community. He edited National Concord from 1984 to 1985. Aged 82, the media guru, who died on August 16, was the erstwhile Chief Press Secretary to the former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB). The demise of the renowned journalist and Double Chief was announced by the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, through a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin.
Born on September 27, 1939, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, Onabule attended the CMS Grammar School and the School of Journalism, London. His started his journalism career as a Reporter with the Daily Express in 1961. Later, he joined the Daily Sketch. After some time with Daily Sketch, he went back to the Daily Express. In 1969, he served as the London correspondent of the Daily Express. In the mid-1970s, he worked for the Daily Times, and became a deputy editor of the Headlines magazine. He was later appointed the Features Editor of the National Concord, owned by the late business mogul and politician, Chief MKO Abiola.
Popularly known by friends and associates as Double Chief, because of his position in the Babangida administration and possession of a chieftaincy title in his community, Onabule had made a mark in the journalism profession before he became the spokesman of the IBB regime, which proscribed many media organisations. The Federal Government should endeavour to immortalise the late media icon and patriot. Till his death, he remained active in writing and making profound comments on burning national issues. For decades, he had maintained a regular column in The Sun Newspapers. His incisive and penetrating comments on national issues have enriched the national dialogue and contributed immensely to the enhancement of free speech and national development. No doubt, his fans will surely miss his analytical thoughts and racy and engaging prose. He was lucid, sharp-witted and historical and these qualities rub-off on his journalistic writings.
His death has elicited eulogies from friends and associates over his inspiring life, sterling qualities and humble carriage. In a befitting tribute, his former boss and former military leader, Gen. Babangida described Onabule as a man with a great sense of history who understood what needed to be done to properly situate Nigeria’s governance efforts. Babangida expressed sadness at the death of Onabule on the eve of his 81st birthday anniversary. He said: “It is a sad irony that Chief Onabule, who was usually amongst the first to celebrate my birthday, died on the eve of my anniversary, and his passing will no doubt cast a long shadow over the festivities.” He recalled that for eight years in his administration, Onabule stood by him in his efforts to re-engineer Nigeria, adding that his intelligence, patriotism and absolute fidelity to the unity of the country shone through, becoming a big part of the successes the regime managed to achieve at the time. The former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Bayo Onanuga, described the late Onabule as an astonishing walking encyclopedia, who had the minutest details of events off hand.
He recalled how the late editor inspired his interest in journalism and taught him some of the trade secrets, adding; “It was from him that I borrowed books on Interpretative journalism, which defined my practice of journalism. In an age when there was no internet or e-library, he taught me to memorise events, speeches, recall and story backgrounding. He said if I could not trust my brain, I should learn to keep diaries or newspaper cuttings.” There is no doubt that the departed veteran journalist was among the best the nation produced and who contributed immensely to the development of the media industry. His incisive interventions have enriched media practice in the country.
Aside writing, Onabule was known for taking principled position on important national issues. He was a detribalised Nigerian and a Zikist and remained a strong opponent of the infamous carpet-crossing saga in Western Region during the First Republic It is instructive that he devoted his time and energy to writing and other private engagements after signing off as Babangida’s spokesman. Till his demise, Onabule was committed to journalism and the nation. He was truly a national icon that will be missed by many. We commiserate with his family, the media industry, Ogun State and Nigeria over his death.