Charles Dickens, in one of his comments on social happenings in his book titled, “A Tale of Two Cities,” described the transition of man from earth as a journey to a far country for a blissful rest. He said, “it is a far far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”
Seinde Obe, generally known as Obe Ess, cannot be doing otherwise than resting from the vigils in his cubicle in The Guardian and the toils and moils of the world.
Since April 11, when the news of his passing was broken on The Guardian platform both serving and retired staff have been in shock; wearing gloomy looks that another soldier in the newspaper house has fallen.
Though grieving, they expressed in mournful tones how the departed one had touched humanity and spoken to power with his humorous drawings. Born in Ibadan, in 1957, the cartoonist began his stretching career in 1974, a year after he left high school. Between 1977 and 1980, while a fine arts student of the Ibadan Polytechnic, Ibadan, Obe Ess began to freelance for Daily Sketch, Nigerians Tribune and The Entertainer.
Before joining The Guardian where he rose to become the Cartoon Editor, his works had featured in different media houses publications, including African Concord, Quality Magazine, Tempo, Africaman and others. He also did commissioned work for UNICEF.
His book titled, Rib-Crackers, a collection of some of his cartoons, is a satire. It highlights fundamental issues that transcend cultures and boldly speaks to power. He voluntarily resigned a few years ago, but died in his country home in Ibadan. Here are some of the tributes from his former and serving colleagues.
His Dark Humour Was Therapy
“As Senior Sub Editor for The Guardian on Sunday, I admired two journalists for their unconventional style – Ake Didi Onu and Obe Ess. I considered them subversive, dropping their cartoons late on Friday nights, living in their own world, and occupying a Spartan office that resembled a war room. Initially, I didn’t warm up to Obe Ess, suspecting he deliberately submitted cartoons late to sneak them past editors,” said Ifeanyi Igwebike Mbanefo.
“However, his dark humour grew on me – he would skewer the words and actions of the powerful with effortless ease, like a black belt judoka redirecting energy to neutralise attacks. His cartoons were always a slam dunk! Laughter is a response we have when there’s a difference between what happens and what is expected.”
According to Mbanefo, “Obe Ess’ craft contrasted the ridiculous with the normal, wasting no words. Twenty years after leaving The Guardian, I discovered a surprising connection between Obe Ess and another friend named TO (Taiwo Obe) – they were brothers! My poor Yoruba skills and rearrangement of their first and surnames had blinded me to this fact. One was Taiwo Obe; the other Obe Ess. I didn’t know they were brothers until Obe Ess told me. Taiwo didn’t confirm it; he laughed mischievously when I phoned to confirm. “
He continued, “Obe Ess remained a lifelong friend, admired for: His masterful editorial cartoons revealing great injustices; Sharp perspectives delivered through flawless artistry, biting prose, and crisp wit; Beautiful, daring cartoons tackling issues affecting disenfranchised citizens and calling out political hypocrisy, Making complex issues accessible to wider audiences through unique storytelling and and for his humanity and honesty.”
Mbanefo added: “I called him a “scientist” for dissecting government policies and rearranging them into comprehensible pieces. A First Principles thinker who breaks issues down to their basic most fundamental truths. His dark humour was therapy to our compatriots – engaging with tragic situations without succumbing to depression.”
Mbanefo said: “When I wrote profiles excoriating the powerful under pseudonyms, Obe Ess praised my work – high praise indeed from someone who didn’t flatter easily. He graciously drew accompanying caricatures. I was indebted to him. My experience with Taiwo Obe & Obe Ess taught me that brilliance and greatness are not monochromatic — they manifest in many forms, but there presence is instantly recognisable. I miss my friend Obe Ess. May his soul rest in peace.”
A Cartoonist And His Hallowed Canvass
“We mourn with words, which is attempting to reach the destination via a detour. This is the way of men of words and letters. The cartoonist would rather invent the shortest cut to the destination – the way the crow flies!” said Mike Asuquo.
According to Asuquo, “Obe Ess would – like his graphic-minded troupe – have saved us all the trouble by using his pencil or biro to stroke out a thrilling and trenchant masterpiece! The shortest cut to pull the trigger for an instantaneous reaction from the reader! He was irreverent and that spoke to how deep he valued his art and his subjects!
“He was a master of his genre – and the years bore him out as a prolific cartoonist who held out the mirror with his lines and strokes to uncover the ironies in our daily lives! What a great utility player he was on the cartoonist slaughter slab! He rarely pulled punches and was clinical in his execution of his subjects!
“His artistic style was unique and multi-layered – his own signature stroke as a prolific scorer with his lines and pithy teasers! Asuquo concluded, “now, he’s gone with all those fine qualities – a gentleman who kept his distance in order to devote his purest thoughts wholesale to his art and craft!Adieu brother! Respect!”
For Akin Ogunrinde, Obe Ess’ left a memorable mark through his inimitable strokes and calm persona. “May Obe Ess’ soul remain precious to the Almighty.”
Laolu Akande said he was a creative soul. May his creative soul rest in peace. May his memory remain blessed. May the good Lord comfort the family at this time.”
Sina Ogunbanbo described him as a perfect gentleman who spoke with deep, robust cartoons. “Obe Ess, gone, just like that?” he queried. “What a transient world! What a colossal loss to the Arts world and the journalism industry. He was a perfect gentleman who speaks with his deep and robust cartoons.” He added, “my condolences to my dear brother, Taiwo Obe and the rest of Obe family. The Guardian family has lost a gem too. May God comfort all and give the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss. Obe Ess, rest in perfect peace.”
Muyiwa Akintunde said Obe Ess was an exceptional professional. You will always find him reflecting on his next work. His passion was rare. Every of his cartoons was a candidate for award.An exceptional professional and gentleman has completed his earthly tasks and signed off. Good night, Obe Ess. Sleep well. My condolences to T.O. and his loved ones.”
For Dr. Chude Pride, Obe Ess was a progressive, reform-oriented cartoonist. “He was intelligent, progressive and reform-oriented cartoonist with classic professional strokes and that unique Afro hairstyle. Nice, amiable gentleman. May God bless his noble soul, and comfort his families and communities. My sympathies, Mr. Taiwo Obe.”
According to Josephine Akar, he was a man of few words and wit. “So sad. A man of few words and wit. Obe Ess would be remembered for his satire, humour and professionalism.”
Pious Mordi said with his pencil, he spoke words, wrote volumes of books. “This parting shot by Obe Ess is timeless just as the man himself. With his pencil, he spoke words and wrote stories volumes of books can never tell. Rest in Peace, sir.”
Pele T.O. said Olaseinde Obe (Obe Ess) contributed to making The Guardian a leader in editorial cartooning. “Along with his brother, Taiwo Obe, and their uncle, Peter Obe, the Obe banner was well raised as worthy ambassadors of Nigerian journalism in different eras. May the soul of Obe Ess and all the faithful departed through the mercy of God Rest in Peace.”
“He was mythical,” said Jide Ogundele. “Two men were mythical in those days. When they smiled, it was a privilege. One in that mad newsroom was Obess. The main one…. No need to grieve because it is a journey that must be. This serves as a reminder that nothing could be as stupid as creating crises in our space as currently evident. Here is a place to experience and return not to give an account, but be confronted with your scorecard. May Obess find peace in transit.”
In his tribute, Felix Abugu said Obe Ess was a very deep person. “Years after one left The Guardian, Obe Ess and I kept in touch. He was a quiet, studious and intellectual; I must say, a very very deep person, going by the cartoon series he ran in The Guardian.
“My deepest condolences to TO and the rest of the family through Christ our Lord, amen. And may his gentle soul find rest with the Lord through the same Christ our Lord, amen. Ndo nu.”
Niyi Obaremi noted, “he was a beautiful soul. He was the strange one. Odd, sometimes, in an offensive way, barely and reluctantly returning your greetings or compliments. His body language was: keep off, let me be, do not forcefully intrude into or invade my universe.”
Obaremi continued, “at least, that is who most of us thought he was. But then, he left all of us in a quagmire as we wonder: how about those strokes of humour and lashes on the conscience of unconscionably corrupt governors and men in uniform, the deft artistic expression of disgust at the shenanigans of miserable politicians basking in the transience of unearned power and authority and his deliberate and unceasing efforts, through those packages of humour, to pour soothing balms on the souls of the suffering citizenry… and many more evergreen and living interventions on behalf of the society, pleading for mercy on the poor and the oppressed with his blessed pencils.
“Then, it all becomes clear to you: here is a beautiful soul, inimitable and unique in his art and ways. Rest in peace, Seinde.” Nkem Ossai noted that there was something different about him. “That ‘difference’ transcended his class art and calling. It was neither inherent in his swagger nor his presence. He was just different, and you knew it. In his tiny cubicle at The Guardian, he kept vigil over the invisible sprawling canvas he traversed like fiefdom. He spoke only when spoken to. But deep culture was inherent in his Spartan renderings. Mystique. It was writ large in the irreverent cartoon sketches that told volumes about our collective shock-and-awes on the experiential life. To die inscrutably true to one’s self is bliss beyond value. Obe Ess was his own humanity; he shaded his temporal garb in likewise flair. May he find what he’s looking for up in the sky!”
