and member of the editorial board and chairman of the Lagos State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists. “Mr. chairman, what is the meaning of SPECTRUM? Slightly taken aback, I explained that it refers to something broad or an encompassing phenomenon.

He simply nodded and cat-like exited, with his small frame tucked inside his trade-mark safari suit. Sunday Vanguard Editor and name sake, Fola Arogundade, encouraged me to start a weekly column which I named SPECTRUM. It occurred to me that Uncle Sam had been reading the column

I was impressed. But that was (and still is) Uncle Sam for you – a reporters' reporter, a veteran journalist and a consumate reader who does not and will not miss the minutest of details. A charismatic personality believes the people should be at the centre of journalism.

At the peak of Abacha’s assault on the pro-democracy movement, a frowning Uncle Sam showed up one day at the Vanguard's Monday editorial meeting. “These people, those fighting for the society, people like Beko Kuti, why are we not reporting them enough? We should report them more

They are doing a lot for the people". Again, he had been reading the newspaper and probably observed some missing links with respect to the reporting of the pro-democracy and anti-military struggles.

The theme of the people re-echoed when Lagos Military Administrator, Baba Marwa, came calling during a round of media visitations with all the swagger of a handsome military officer soaked in adulation. But his demeanor changed somewhat when Uncle Sam spoke.

Mr. Governor you have to do your best for the people. You see, you cannot deceive the people because the people know their heroes. Look at that man Fela. He sang for the people and died a poor man. But look at his burial. Millions of people trooped out and followed his corpse.

That is an example of a man loved by the people". With such words and general attitude, Uncle Sam is a man of the people in his own regard. Simplicity, humour, smiles, good living, socialising and humility are the defining features of his persona.

You could run into him at the reception attending to visitors; or doing the same at the Canal - that famous Vanguard rendezvous where editors and senior journalists enjoy free sumptuous meals that normally followed the Monday editorial meetings.

Anyone whose journalism career has taken him/her through Vanguard would readily agree that it offers one of the most relaxed journalistic working environment in the country. A scenario picture perfect for good journalism.

It is with nostalgia that I always look back at my days at Vanguard, not least because with Uncle Sam as arrowhead, the Editors and reporters mobilised massively and ensured my successful bid for the Lagos NUJ chairmanship in 1995 and 1999 respectfully.

Thank you Uncle Sam Amuka Pemu. Journalists and journalism in Nigeria will for ever be indebted to you. Happy 90th birthday

Adieu Dr. Doyin Abiola One of my concerns during the controversy over the June 12 related national awards by President Tinubu was why Dr. Doyin Abiola was overlooked.

For standing for the validation of the June 12 1993 elections won by her husband and relentlesly defendinh press freedom during the period and at other times she should have been somewhere atop the list of those honoured.

Dr. Abiola was atop the tower of good journalism. After stint at defunct Daily Sketch and Daily Times where she was Editorial Board member her appointment as the first woman Editor of a national newspaper in Nigeria - the National Concord threw her into greater limelight.

By the time I joined National Concord in 1991 she had become the Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief presiding over thriving titles including the National Concord edited by Nsikak Essien, Weekend Concord, edited by Mike Awoyinfa and Sunday Concord, edited by Dele Alake.

Her deputy was Stanley Egbochukwu. In managing all the men and the larger community of journalists and other media workers they led, Dr. Abiola certainly broke the gender barrier.....and excellently so.

More remarkable was how she didn't allow spousal affairs to becloud editorial judgement when husband Bashorun MKO Abiola, decided to give the presidency a shot on the platform of the Social Democratic Party, ultimately defeating Bashir Tofa of the National Republican Convention.

She supported the Editors in ensuring that Concord titles were largely fair and balanced in their political reporting. The death of MKO in detention and the shot down of Concord were two fatalities she suffered in the hands of the Babangida, Abacha and Abdusalami military juntas

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