Olu of Warri, Soyinka, Osoba, Fashola, others in attendance as Vanguard publisher, Sam Amuka celebrates 90th birthday
By Emma Ogbuehi
It was fun and excitement as Nigerians of various walks of life including media icons, activists and political leaders gathered in Lagos on Friday to celebrate legendary journalist and publisher of Vanguard Newspapers, Sam Amuka, as he marked his 90th birthday. The occasion witnessed tributes pouring in for Amuka’s contributions to journalism and national development.
Among the dignitaries that graced the occasion were the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris; Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III; Delta State Deputy Governor, John Onyeme; Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka; veteran journalist and former Ogun State Governor, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Chairman of ThisDay/ARISE Media Group, Nduka Obaigbena.
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Also present at the event were former Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola; Senator Ben Obi; Senator Bode Olajumoke; business magnate Chief Jim Ovia; Chief (Mrs) Nike Akande; media icon Ray Ekpo; Dame Comfort Obi; Kabir Yusuf; and Chairman of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa.
President Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari also paid glowing tributes in separate statements.
President Tinubu described Uncle Sam, as Amuka is fondly called, as “a shining example of dedication, resilience and integrity within the media industry.”
“Today, he is not just a leader of the profession; he is a doyen. His leadership from the altar of journalism has influenced the media landscape and extended to his role as a respected leader in Delta State and the South-South geopolitical zone,” Tinubu stated.
Former President Buhari, in a statement by his media aide Garba Shehu, said Amuka’s legacy would be “written in gold” in Nigeria’s media history. “They called him ‘Sad Sam,’ but his pen always spread light. His journalism was a crusade. Few would match his clarity, consistency, and courage,” Buhari noted.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also praised Amuka, calling him the “oldest practicing media professional in Nigeria today.” He commended the Vanguard publisher for his role in shaping journalism and creating jobs for thousands of Nigerians through the media industry.
The event was a convergence of political and media heavyweights, all united in celebrating a man widely acknowledged as one of the foundational pillars of modern Nigerian journalism.
