By LOUIS ODION
The supply was irresistible.
“Louis, I do know you should be uninterested in resort meals by now,” he teased with a patriarchal grin. Then beckoning, he mentioned: “Comply with me make I present you higher place to cut.”
After meandering by means of a labyrinth of rain-sprinkled streets of Asaba this afternoon for some minutes, we lastly repaired to a neighborhood buka oozing mouth-watering aroma.
As quickly as Uncle Sam (Chief Sam Amuka-Pemu) sauntered in, trailed by Gbenga Adefaye (then President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors), Eze Anaba and yours sincerely, the buka – a nondescript bungalow – immediately grew quiet, in reverence, if not awe, of an illustrious son of Delta State whose simply recognisable face frames his nationwide superstar.
The massive masquerade had certainly arrived. It was too apparent that his trademark flat cap, intentionally pulled all the way down to the brows, had, but once more, failed Uncle Sam woefully as disguise right this moment. With the sudden pleasure within the air, nobody wanted any reminding that the delight of the Itsekiri nation was an esteemed buyer right here, all the time selecting the payments of everybody lucky to be supping each time he visited.
Vanguard newspapers, owned by him, is the political bible of not simply his native Delta State however your complete Niger Delta.
Quickly, all eyes appeared riveted on the nook we sat whereas the cooks ran round to ladle our desk with assorted delicacies, meat and drinks. The yr was 2012 (April). Asaba, Delta State capital, was internet hosting a summit by BRACE Fee, a growth company for all South-South states, in collaboration with the editors guild with all of the South-South governors in attendance. (I got here with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole as Edo State Commissioner of Info then).
After doing justice to a feast of steaming-hot yam and bush meat, chatter and banter naturally resumed over beer. Along with his razor-sharp wits and withering humour, Uncle Sam would maintain us reeling in laughter always. For example, he usually objects humorously that these of us addressing him as Daddy had been solely performing out a sinister plot to pronounce him invalid or vegetable prematurely.
“Daddy,” I quickly teased with one other trace of mischief, “you look very nicely saved, like a forty-something even once you’re now nearly 77. What’s the secret, sir?”
After a considerate silence and observing his half-empty glass on the desk, Uncle Sam waxed philosophical: “In no matter you do, always remember the precept of 1”(elevating his proper index finger for emphasis).
Sensing our curiosity, he expatiated: “For those who should drink beer, by no means exceed one bottle. For those who eat, be content material with one plate.” Anticipating our subsequent mischief, he preempted us: “It additionally applies to your obligation as a person within the bed room.” Our inference was that solely the unwise would try to exceed the beneficial restrict within the organic odometer in an amatory tour.
After all, Adefaye, Anaba and yours sincerely laughed deliriously after processing that coded addendum. In such easy, but profound nugget would appear rooted the locus of Uncle Sam’s character primarily. It’s his personal philosophical compass to navigate the boundless ocean of temptations day by day and a sturdy anchor in life’s excessive and low tide usually. A rarity in a society the place animal greed is in any other case categorised as enterprise and crass opportunism thought-about smartness.
It most likely additionally explains his longevity regardless of many tough challenges through the years, together with a number of medical surgical procedures. Such minimalist mindset maybe additionally furnishes an epistemological framework to grasp Uncle Sam’s resolve to stroll away with out flattening the roof, upon a painful realisation he had been handed the short-end of the stick on the Punch all alongside following a boardroom skirmish.
The typical journalist is commonly extra obsessive about phrases and unique tales, not figures or numbers, in contrast to his companion who was a shrewd accountant. On the founding of Punch in 1970, Uncle Sam would seem like too trusting to thoughts the true which means of numbers within the article of affiliation and their authorized implications.
It was solely a query of time for the massive query to come up. That ultimately led him to exit and arrange Vanguard newspapers in 1984; left to actually begin afresh.
General, there isn’t any denying media energy.
Exceedingly privileged, subsequently, is the custodian of such energy. However Uncle Sam would by no means be discovered parlaying that privilege to oppress or receive undue benefit. And there lies the essence of his journalism. Regardless of his “large connections” and limitless alternatives, Uncle Sam has refused emigrate to uptown Ikoyi, Victoria Island or Lekki, commensurate together with his standing as one among Nigeria’s most profitable and influential publishers. He’s content material with the anonymity of downtown Anthony Village, residence to him for greater than 5 a long time.
Actually, most neighbours solely grew to become conscious they really had a really “large man” of their midst not too way back following an try by some hustlers to transform an open house which had served the Anthony Village neighborhood as recreation centre to a industrial centre. A mere assertion of objection by Uncle Sam was sufficient for the authorities to wade in and chase the buccaneers away.
I’m privileged to have partaken within the “morning communion” with Uncle Sam at his Anthony Village residence a number of occasions through the years. Usually a light-weight menu of tea and cracker biscuits within the balcony amid mushy music from somewhat jukebox.
Actual “feasting” usually happens at lunch or meal time at one other property of his elsewhere in the identical Anthony Village. That’s the place Uncle Sam prefers to host folks lavishly, although his personal consumption sample is all the time abstemious.
A person of disarming simplicity, Uncle Sam isn’t the kind that throws his weight round or engages in self-promotion below any guise or disguise.
For example, when phrases reached him that Azu (Ishiekwene) and others had been holding nocturnal conferences for a shock eightieth birthday shindig for him ten years in the past, Uncle Sam, the grandmaster of ambush himself, was to not be overwhelmed in his personal recreation. He instantly put a name to Azu, the lead conspirator: “I heard you individuals are planning to stage a celebration with out my permission. I might slightly you give me the cash to go and luxuriate in myself someplace as an alternative.”
However a cautionary observe: the leisurely stroll of a lion at unusual second starkly contrasts its ferocious cost when in struggle mode. Uncle Sam’s petite body, simple smile and fragile air definitely belie his doughty spirit in sure issues such because the pursuit of social justice or defence of human liberty. He’s by no means shy in advocating a greater deal for his native oil-rich Niger Delta, Nigeria’s money cow left to wallow in need and close to destitution. We will see this reflecting distinctly within the bias and values espoused by Vanguard newspapers in its editorial character.
In the middle of my journalism profession, it was inevitable that I might encounter Uncle Sam as a mentor and father-figure. It’s all the time pleasing each time he known as to attract my consideration to any error of details in my column and by no means spares praises on any piece he considers good. Coming from the king of the craft himself, I interpret that as proof of his consideration. To me, that alone is tantamount to successful a gold medal.
Right here is wishing Uncle Sam many extra years in good well being and repair to the nation and mankind.
•Odion is Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, FNGE.
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