Soyinka, Oloja, others pay tribute to Jahman Anikulapo at 60

It was a moment of recommence for hardwork yesterday, as Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, Managing Director, Guardian Newspapers Limited, Martins Oloja, were among distinguished personalities that paid tribute to former Editor, The Guardian on Sunday, Jahman Anikulapo.

Speaking at an event held in commemoration of his 6oth birthday at Freedom Park, Lagos, yesterday, Soyinka said: “In just a few words, the best expression I have for him is that of a ghost worker. You hear about the expression ghost worker in negative sense. Some of them have never been anywhere near the establishment. But someone somewhere is collecting salary. I always think of Jahman as ghost worker. By that I mean you don’t know how he achieves what he does. If you give him a task, you don’t ever see him at work on it. I think he’s an instinctive artistic facilitator. He promotes others without promoting himself.’’

He has assisted me in theatrical production and worked behind the scenes.
He should just continue the same way as he is doing.’’

Oloja, who described him as a good man who has made himself to be more significant than most prominent men who are not significant before God and man.

He added: “He is a good man who can also be described as a good tree that has produced good fruits for The Guardian. That is why the three title editors at The Guardian today Alabi Williams, (Editor, Daily), Kabir Alabi, (Editor, Sunday), Chuks Nwane, (Editor, Saturday) are coincidentally journalists who have worked well with this same Jahman as editor. Besides, there is a sense in which we can call out Deputy Editor, News, Coordinator (Life) Greg Nwakunor, News Editor (daily), Templar Olaiya are Jahman’s men.”

Professor of Theatre Arts, University of Lagos, Duro Oni also described him as a creative, diligent and literary legend.