NewsDirect Publisher’s Exit: Scores of gallantry, hard to reconcile Ibiyemi’s departure

By Moses Adeniyi, Seun Ibiyemi

Sometimes hard to reconcile is how to believe when the gallant warrior gives up. The confusion becomes much particular when the wings still show the strength of firm stretchability with soaring capacity.

Although to leave is for man after a season of living as a being on earth, the departure poses rhetorical queries when men of courage leave at a time no one could suspect. It is the message that resonates that here is not the final destination.

However, the impact and legacy of every being is the thrust that leaves the imprint of every being for lasting record. Hence, though there might be a departure, yet there would be for the man the living imprint of lasting resonance whose grip in the heart of survivors bears the record of the reflection of what a man brought into the space of human habitation.

The reality of the exit of Dr. Samuel Ibiyemi, the publisher of Nigerian NewsDirect Newspaper, was one hard for many to digest, but it came.

He left noon of Tuesday, after a brief illness. However, his legacies, leadership bravery to workers, admirers, and courageous carriage to leaders across facets of life would bear record of gallantry.

Ibiyemi left at 54. He attended Obafemi Awolowo University between 1991 and 1995 graduating with a degree in Economics before proceeding to University of Lagos where he earned a master’s degree in Economics in 1998. He started his journalism career with Industrial Leaders Magazine as a staff writer. In 2000, he joined Financial Standard where he was Deputy Editor until 2009 before switching to Nigerian Tribune serving as Group Business Editor between 2010 and 2011. In March 2011, Ibiyemi established Nigerian News Direct Newspaper working as Editor-in-Chief of the paper. He is a prominent member of the Association of Energy Correspondents of Nigeria and the Nigerian Guild of Editors.

In April 2018, Ibiyemi declared his intention to run for governor of Osun State on the platform of APC. His campaign manager was a former Deputy Governor of Osun, Sooko Adeleke Adewoyin. Ibiyemi’s campaign manifesto focused mainly on the employment creation of 600,000 jobs for the youths and the development of ICT infrastructure in four years. The Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi endorsed the programme. On 16 July,  in the build up to APC nomination, Ibiyemi announced his withdrawal from the governorship race in the Nigerian Capital, Abuja citing the similarity of his campaign manifesto to Gboyega  Oyetola’s program me. He transferred his supporters to Oyetola who went ahead to win the governorship election.

Ibiyemi has been known for tenacity and courageous carriage which kept the path of emulating thrust for followers and collegues close and far. In his posture is seen the ever fighting spirit on the strength of positivity to get results.

In his carriage, Ibiyemi knows no language reflecting giving-up, or no-possibility. These are words loudly not in his dictionary. To him, if it is sighted, it can be obtained. He presses into the difficult lane to bring out results even where seeming drought may be the chorus of the day. His goal getting tenacity makes things work out of tight corners. He’s a goal-getter, a pace-setter, a hard-fighter, a make-up of gallantry.

The steps of Ibiyemi on the race of impacts would put ahead a reflection of a forge-fighting carriage.

Ibiyemi started his career for service in the Nigeria Air Force between 1984 and 2000. His trainings in the military in all ways did not defy his gallant carriage with courageous foothold even after exiting the military. His move and contributions in the media and in politics reflected at every reckoning point the footings of this gallantry.

Ibiyemi who left the military after a short time of service (16 years) with formidable records, joined the media in his 30s. His fast growth in the ladder was one of topmost attraction. He worked with the defunct Financial Standards where he rose from the file to the post of deputy editor in one of the fastest speed in the media industry. In 2009, he left for the Nigerian Tribune where he climbed the ladder to the post of the Group Business Editor.

Journalism career gave him the platform for broad engagement with seasoned leaders in business and politics, far and wide, particularly in the Country.

In 2011, Ibiyemi concieved the idea of Nigerian NewsDirect which he started. Ibiyemi went against suggestions of the paper being ran by political sponsorship from suggested politicians who showed interest to be patron of the house. His decision led to some close associates distancing from the vision, but his doggedness saw the paper surviving the hurdles of die-hard tough times. Against having a political patron sponsorship framework that would reduce the paper to the voice of a patron and his political interest, Ibiyemi chose to premise the structure of the paper on broader business perspective, without delimitation to an enclosed political frontage. His approach saw the paper having a wider coverage than would have been the case, if the suggestion of a political patron was settled for. It was clear he knew what exactly he wanted, without recourse to compromises.

The paper rose in ranks to become recognised and formidable among leading newspaper in the Country today. The paper rose from the ranks of a weekly publication to a national daily circulating nationwide, known for credibility and objectivity.

Ibiyemi by the paper pushed to put business and political leaders on their toes. His influence particularly in the Southwest saw his engagement with Governors and other key political and public office holders yielding results of accountability with responsive returns to the masses.

He would turn to consider the role of elective political office. As he extends his outreach to national impact, Ibiyemi at some point on the line, began his inroads into politics. An aimer he his, his first shot was at the gubernatorial seat of Osun. In 2018, Ibiyemi was among the leading aspirants for the All Progressives Congress (APC) party ticket. With his diving carriage, within a short time, he built a formidable base of followers which attracted concern. However, after some close door deliberations within the APC family, he conceded to make the way for the immediate past Governor of Osun State, Gboyega Oyetola, who remained to him, till his exit, a close associate. Ibiyemi mobilised his supporters for Oyetola in the 2018 election which he won. In the 2022 election, Ibiyemi equally mobilised his supporters for Oyetola winning his wards, Ilode Ward II, Ife East Local Government, Osun State amidst strong opposition.

Ibiyemi played a politics of peace. Although at some point, he was hurt on his heels, he never betrayed his choice party, the APC. In the wake of the 2022 election, Ibiyemi having declared loyalty to Oyetola decided to stay off the ticket race for governorship aspiration, choosing rather that Oyetola forge ahead for a second term. On a sacrificai path, he decided to run for the House of Representatives seat for Ife Federal Constituency.

When the primary elections were allegedly skewed by some key elements of the State Party Executives, the aggrieved parties decided to head for a court battle. However, on his part, having held a peace talk with Oyetola on the cost of such decision for the APC on the gubernatorial election, he held back and sued for peace. In his campaigns, APC was still his anchor, he fought and delivered his ward. In Ogun State, Ibiyemi played critical role in the immediate past general elections working for his party and associates. However, in the aftermath of the 2023 general elections, Ibiyemi told close associates he may be withdrawing from a shot at political elective positon.

Ibiyemi also added to his works the ministry of faith as he established and see to the administration of Christ Apostolic Church, Great Grace, where he served as an officiating minister.

In all facets, Ibiyemi has made his contributions to the best of his ability. However, the fact that he left from doing more is still yet irreconcilable. It’s still hard for close associates, workers and loved ones to decipher that the never giving up Ibiyemi gave up for the exit so soon.

See Details of Ibiyemi

Publisher – Nigerian NewsDirect (Daily National newspaper).  March 2011 till July 2023.

• Editor-in-Chief-Nigerian NewsDirect:  March 2010  to March 2011.
• Media Consultant  – Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (August 2013 to October 2014).
• Member, Petroleum Industry Bill Technical Drafting Committee of Petroleum Ministry – October 2013 to Feb 2014.
• Group Business Editor/Deputy Editor-(Nigerian Tribune). January 2009 to February 2010.
• Deputy Editor – October 2007 to November 2009, Millennium Harvest Limited (Publisher of Financial Standard).
• Associate Editor, Dec. 2004 – Oct. 2007 Millennium Harvest Limited (Publisher of Financial Standard).
• Senior Energy Correspondent -Dec. 2001 – Dec. 2004 Millennium Harvest Limited (Publisher of Financial Standard).
• Energy Correspondent – June 2000 – Dec. 2001 Millennium Harvest Limited (Publisher of Financial Standard).
• Capital Market Reporter     (Freelance) – January 2000 – June 2000 Industrial Leaders Communications Ltd. (Publisher of Nigeria’s Business and News Magazine).
• Armed Forces Resettlement Centre – January  to June 2000).
• Airforce Secondary School, Ikeja (Economics Teacher) September 1997 to December 1999.
• Nigerian Airforce (Regiment-Armament, Aircraft Electronics & Instructor) May 25, 1984 to June 30, 2000.

AWARDS

• Best Article Writer: Obafemi Awolowo University  (1992).
• Star Reporter Award: Financial Standard    (2001).
• Outstanding Performance:  Financial Standard (2001).
• Vocational Excellence Award: Rotary International  (2001).
• Star Reporter Award: Financial Standard  (2004).
• Distinguished Alumnus Award:   Obafemi Awolowo University,  Ile Ife.  (2006).
• Distinguished Personality of the Year:   (Christ Apostolic Church)  (2008).
• Best Editor of the Year-July 18, 2013.      The Students’ Union Government, Federal College of Education, Osiele Abeokuta.
• Recognition Award-   November 3, 2015, Estate Rent & Commission Agents Association of Nigeria (ERCAAN), Lagos State Chapter.
• Award of Excellence for Entrepreneurship.  August 30, 2012, National Association of Energy Correspondents (NAEC).
• Award of Excellence.    September 20, 2015, Reverend SBJ Oshoffa Memorial Schools, Lagos.
• Recognition Award.  June 6, 2013 Communicators for Christ Fellowship (CFC), Department of Mass Communication University of Lagos.
• Ordination as Elder in Christ Apostolic Church, Agbala Itura, Ijoko, Ogun State- Nov 2008.

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:

• Doctor of Management & Administration (DMA).    vember 9, 2013, the Institute of Model Management and Administration of Nigeria.
• Fellow of Management  & Administration (FMA) – November 9, 2013, the Institute of Model Management and Administration of Nigeria.
• M.Sc. (Hons) Economics: University of Lagos, Akoka – Lagos  1997 – ‘98.
• B.Sc. (Hons) Economics (Second Class Honours, Upper Division): Obafemi  Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

1991 – ‘96WASC, GCE ‘O’ Level:

• Olode Grammar School, Olode-Ife  1979 – ‘83.
• St Paul Anglican Primary School,Iyanfoworogi, Ile Ife,        1973 – 1979.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP

• Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR)
• Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
• Nigerian Guild of Editors.
• Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN).
• Nigerian Gas Association.
• National Association of Energy Correspondents.

Leadership Roles:

• President, Nigerian Economics Students Association, Obafemi Awolowo University.
• President, Rotary Club of Ota, (2015-2016}.
• Elders Committee, NUJ Ogun Council.
• Chairman, NewsDirect Roundtable Quarterly Conference on Nigerian Economy.
• Chairman, Annual International Conference on Infrastructures In Developing Countries.
• Member, National Think Tank of Late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (02 August 2007-March 5, 2010) on PART TIME.
• Member, Elders Committee, All Progressives Congress (APC), Ife Federal Constituency (2018 till July 2023).
• Member, APC Gubernatorial Election Committee for Gov Gboyega Oyetola. (July to November 2022).