Ayodele Olalere
Nigerian media editors, both from the print, broadcast and online mediums, as well as friends and family members, on Friday commemorated the 10th year death of the former Deputy Managing Director, DMD, of Sun Newspaper, Dimgba Igwe.
Dimgba who was a pastor at the Evangel Pentecostal Church before his death was knocked down by a hit and run driver on a Saturday morning while jogging inside the estate where he was living at Okota, Lagos.
He was rushed to the hospital but was confirmed dead at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, LASUTH.
At a lecture organised by former editors of the Sun Newspaper to commemorate the 10th year of his death held at The Colossus Hotel, Lagos, the Guest Lecturer, Muyiwa Adetiba in his lecture titled ‘Tabloid Journalism; Yesterday, Today and the Future’ described late Dimgba Igwe as ‘a well grounded journalist.’
He also likened his death to that of the former publisher of Newswatch Magazine, late Dele Giwa.
“Igwe was a well rounded journalist. He was devoted to his craft and God . Dimgba achieved a lot in his short and impactful life. He believed in tabloid journalism, “Adetiba said.
Adetiba further said late Dimgba and his colleague and friend, the former Managing Director of Sun Newspaper, Mike Awoyinfa, distinguished themselves in the tabloid genre of journalism from their days at Concord newspaper which they replicated with the Sun Newspaper.
He said the future of journalism is tabloid. He dispelled the notion that tabloid journalism is junk, adding that tabloid form of reportage was instrumental in getting Nigeria independence and in the struggle of June 12.
Former Governor of Ogun State, Olusegun Osoba who was represented by the founder of DAME Awards, Lanre Idowu, said he remains grateful for the contributions of late Dimgba to journalism.
“Its good we are remembering him. Dimgba earned his stripes as a media general. We are remembering him for what he had done,” he said
Former Senior Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former President Muhammadu Buhari and a former Daily Editor, Sun Newspaper, Femi Adesina said Dimgba lived a very careful life.
“We were able to have him as a friend and boss. He lived all his life for tabloid journalism
Steve Nwosu who was also a former Daily Editor, Sun Newspaper and now Managing Director, The Nigerian Xpress Newspaper and the Peoples FM, said tabloid journalism which late Dimgba stood for is the future of journalism in Nigeria.
He noted that news reportage should be factual, short and be humanised to attract readers. He also described Dimgba as a humble man who made a mark as a tabloid journalist.
Funke Egbemode, another former editor with Sun Newspaper, said journalists should do more investigative journalism rather than focusing on general news reportage.
The President, Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE, Eze Anaba said ‘Dimgba lived an impactful life as a crusader.’
“He was committed to truth, courage and public good,” Anaba said.
Reminiscing on his relationship with late Dimgba, Mike Awoyinfa, who was the Managing Director of Sun Newspaper and closest ally of Dimgba said he was in Ipswich, United Kingdom when he heard of the news of the death of his friend.
He remembered that he had also gone out for jogging in UK on the same Saturday morning Dimgba was knocked down by a vehicle in Nigeria while he was also jogging when he received a call informing him about Dimgba’s death
Awoyinfa promised he would continue to do ‘whatever it takes to preserve your name in the heart of the people.’
Dimgba’s widow, Obioma thanked Awoyinfa for his support to the family since her husband’s death.She also thanked the organisers for remembering her husband ten years after his death.
