In 2008, in the dewy innocence of my early twenties, I embarked on a journey that would transform my life in ways I had never imagined. Fresh from my National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) stint, I walked into the Tribune House, the hallowed halls of Nigeria’s first private newspaper, as a Senior Reporter. At that point, I knew only that I loved to write – to weave stories, to capture voices, and to embrace the world through words. I hadn’t yet envisioned the Tribune House as anything more than a stepping stone. Little did I know it would become a sanctuary, a crucible, and a home for the next fifteen years.
The Tribune House offered me more than employment; it offered a family. Surrounded by a vibrant constellation of bosses and colleagues, I found myself among some of the brightest minds in the industry. These were men and women who were not just generous with their time and knowledge but were also unwavering in their commitment to the truth. Together, we grew and evolved, each one of us sharpening the other, a community built on mutual respect, relentless ambition, and an unyielding pursuit of journalistic excellence.
As a young, unmarried reporter, I had the boundless freedom to roam, to explore the heart of Nigeria from city to village, capturing the pulse of the nation. Journalism in Tribune offered me an extraordinary passport to witness the richness of human experience in all its diversity and complexity. I roamed every nook of Nigeria, reporting stories that painted the full spectrum of human life – its triumphs, its tragedies, its humor, and its heart. And through this life of travel and narrative, I was able to carve a place for myself, forging friendships in various corridors of society, making connections that transcended the mere professional.
But this journey was not without its challenges. The life of a journalist is often one of long hours, unpredictable outcomes, and moments that test one’s fortitude. Yet the Tribune House nurtured a culture of growth and tenacity. Here, ambition was not just encouraged; it was essential. If you had the audacity, the Tribune offered the canvas on which you could paint your ambitions. I took the opportunity to pursue higher education, earning an MA in English and later completing a PhD at the University of Ibadan. The Tribune supported me through it all, a rare privilege in a world where professional obligations often take precedence over personal growth.
My colleagues and I transformed, each of us finding our own distinct paths while drawing from the same deep well of purpose and dedication. Banji Aluko, Seyi Sokoya, Segun Adebayo, Oluwarotimi Ige, Moses Alao, Dr. Emmanuel Adeniyi, Dr. Rita Okonoboh, Laolu Afolabi, and so many others – we were a band of rivals, each striving to excel, each one lifting the other in healthy competition and camaraderie.
Now, as the Nigerian Tribune stands proudly at seventy-five, it remains a beacon of ideological clarity, journalistic integrity, and truth. The legacy of Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Mama HID Awolowo lives on in the vibrant, resilient spirit of this institution. Under the leadership of its current Chairman, Dr. Mrs. Tokunbo Awolowo Dosumu, and the unflagging guidance of its Managing Director, Mr. Edward Dickson (FNGE), alongside editors like Mr. Debo Abdulai, Mr. Sina Oladeinde, and Dr. Lasisi Olagunju, the Tribune’s legacy is cemented as a pillar of Nigerian journalism.
As I reflect on my time at the Tribune, I am filled with gratitude. It was not merely a chapter of my life; it is an entire volume, one filled with passion, growth, and a steadfast commitment to truth. The Tribune House is more than bricks and mortar; it is an idea, a living testament to the power of words, and a reminder of journalism’s noble purpose. Today, I carry forward the lessons, the memories, and the wisdom gathered over those fifteen years, forever indebted to a house that was not merely a workplace, but a home.
Dr Kehinde Oyetimi, a lecturer at the Department of English, University of Ibadan, was a journalist with the Nigerian Tribune from November 2008 till February 2023. He left as the Features Editor.
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