DUROJAIYE Onabule whom we called Duro Onabule, and more fondly hailed as Double Chief, has discarded his earthly vessel to leave for the Beyond. He left our midst without warning. The media world has lost a walking encyclopedia.

He was an exceedingly informed journalist, borne out of voracious reading. As we were taught in journalism schools, a journalist must read everything in print. LKJ, Lateef Jakande was wont to say that a journalist must know something about everything and everything about something. What crosses the mind when one thinks of Onabule’s wide knowledge is the title of Chief Justice Atanda Fatai Williams’ memoires: Faces, Cases and Places. Onabule was informed not only on matters about Nigeria but the world. The mirror of his soul was always set and quick to file goings on to his cerebellum, the part of the brains that keep memories. Onabule would effortlessly mention names, places, events and dates—who did what, who said what, when and where.

Onabule began his journalism career at the Daily Express now long rested in 1961. He moved from there to be a pioneer staff reporter of Daily Sketch in 1964. He attended College of Journalism, London during which he doubled as London correspondent of Daily Express 1969 -1974. On his return to he joined the Daily Times in 1975 as a staff writer from where he was redeployed to Headlines as deputy editor of Headlines with Angus Okolie as editor. It was in the features his path and that of Doyin Abiola first crossed. When Dr. Doyinsola Aboaba, the Features Editor and leader writer who was later to become Mrs. Doyin Abiola left for National Concord, Onabule, Dele Giwa and Sam Oni soon joined her. Mrs. Abiola was editor and later Managing Director of Concord in succession to Prince Henry Odukomaiya, a former star editor of the Daily Times and who became the pioneer Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief. Onabule was at various times pioneer features editor, during which he was a member of the Editorial Board of Concord; deputy editor then editor in succession to Doyin Abiola who became managing director. Dele Giwa was editor of Sunday Concord.

Onabule was sold to President Babangida upon his assumption of office in August 1985 by Moshood Abiola, MKO, his bosom friend, following the ouster of General Buhari from power. A serious-minded fellow it did not take long as Chief Press Secretary before he attracted the trust, respect and love of Babangida. It was with the same depth of love and degree of trust he was held high by Chief Abiola his publisher. Onabule was soon to find himself at a crossroads, between the devil and deep blue sea. General Babangida annulled the 1993 election regarded as the best in Nigeria in terms of transparency, orderliness and fairness and in which MKO Abiola, Onabule’s erstwhile boss was coasting home in indisputable victory. Onabule was thus torn between loyalty to Abiola and loyalty to Babangida for whom he had additionally developed fondness. What he should have done is now academic. However, he was to learn that justice is the fountain from which loyalty flows out. Without justice loyalty collapses.

The argument was did Abiola win the election or not? What did the cause of justice dictate and what was in the national interest? Onabule was fearless and he could be alone taking an independent position even if unpopular in debates among friends and peers or in taking a political stand. He was deputy editor of the Concord when the newspaper mounted distasteful campaign against Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s bid for the presidency of the country in 1983 and he was chief media adviser to Babangida when he blocked Abiola’s way to become Nigeria’s President. The influence of higher correlations of life at work at the time would seem inappropriate to discuss at the moment. Onabule could not live down the thoughts that his courage failed him in the greatest trial of his life. Exceedingly warm hearted, he would blurt out his fond words: Look here; listen my friend. He was given to laughing heartily.

Onabule was a Zikist to the core right from his days at CMS, Grammar School, Lagos, the first secondary school in Nigeria. Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was his hero. The relationship was such that if you requested to have an interview with Dr. Azikiwe at Nsukka or do a story on him, he would ask that you clear with Duro Onabule or Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya in Lagos. Onabule got Babangida to approve naming the press centre at Dodan Barracks Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Press Centre. Till the end, all you needed to see Babangida in Minna was a note from Onabule. Their friendship endured till his last moment. For 22 years, Onabule ran a column with considerable following in The Sun newspaper where he displayed his writing skills and knowledge. President Buhari, too, appointed him chairman of Nigerian Television Authority in his first term.

The Nigerian media will miss an icon and a leader in the industry. Father of five, four of them now young men, Onabule was made Jagunmolu of Ijebu in 1985 by the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona. And true to his chieftaincy title, Onabule could be a fighter where, as Dr. Azikiwe would say, the enemy was clearly identified.