My mother was in labor for eight days, I came out presumed dead – Onayiga

Chief Moses Olugbenga Oludare Onayiga, journalist, media consultant and former board member of Nigeria Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (NEITI) and Nigeria Press Council, is the Director of Vision Center for Communication and Development Advocacy. He shared his life story with TUNDE ADELEKE.

What was life like as a media professional on a government-owned electronic medium?

Quite challenging, but interesting. During 34 of the 37 years I worked for the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN, also known as Radio Nigeria, where I mainly engaged in political activities, I have endeavored to apply the basic principles of objectivity, fairness and accuracy as taught in the training school The management of the media organization has not stopped me from ensuring that ethical standards are strictly adhered to The code of ethics approved by the Nigerian Press Organization (NPO) is very clear and every journalist worthy of being a journalist to be called must adhere to the provisions of the document which I would like to call our ‘professional bible’. The highest standards of professionalism, maximum compliance with regulatory frameworks and respect for the public interest were therefore sought.

You reported on politics, which can be very sensitive. How were you able to arrange that?

Of course, the political office remains a sensitive spot, in both public and private media organizations, because of the interests it generates. This is understandable because people are called political animals and politics is the most discussed topic by members of the public at any time and every day. By God’s special grace, I successfully navigated the unstable terrain of political reporting in a public media organization by being aware of the realities of ownership; weighing every word used in my reports, protecting the public interest and making objectivity my watchword. I am bold to say that despite the mindset of some members of the public (including some professional colleagues), no minister of information, permanent secretary, director general or director of news has ever dictated to me what and how I should write or write. tilt a particular political report written or edited by me. What is happening in many government media houses is sheer over-zealousness and self-censorship by supposed professionals to please those in power. I consider this unnecessary, unethical and demeaning.

Can you provide some insight into what sparked your interest as a journalist in a public company?

It is actually my passion for the noble profession of journalism. I remember that on my first day in the lecture hall of the Nigerian Institute of Journalism at Ogba in Lagos in 1986, the then director, Mr. Dotun Boluwade, made it clear to us that there was no money in the business. However, he assured us that we would leave a mark on society, dine and drink wine with kings and queens if we excelled. I also adopted Dele Giwa and Ray Ekpuas, my role models when they visited NIJ as guest lecturers in clean ash-colored Mercedes Benz cars, dressed in glittering well-tailored suits of the same color and matching shoes. That day I said to myself, ‘If these guys can look this good as journalists, then that’s the way to go!’ The late Ms. Remi Oyo, as an editor on the FRCN Network editorial, has also done a lot to inspire me.

Most importantly, I am a child of glory and destiny; I found favor with God and people. My bosses and colleagues showed interest in me and encouraged me, despite the challenges I encountered along the way. Indeed, I have told some friends that I would like to remain a journalist if I ever come back into the world.

What was it like growing up?

I come from a polygamous family but had to be raised out of wedlock from the age of nine. My mother did everything humanly possible to raise my siblings and me to be responsible citizens. My father is from Makun-Omi in the Ogun Waterside Local Government Area of ​​Ogun State and my mother is from Igbotu in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of ​​Ondo State. They were both Christian. Growing up was a bit rough. The setting was not ideal. You know the challenges that come with coming from a broken home. I had to live with my mother from the age of nine. Yes, she loved and took care of all six of her children. But her relationship with me was extraordinary for obvious reasons.

Was there a special circumstance surrounding your birth?

I was a child prodigy! My birth was amazing. People who witnessed my birth still call me a child prodigy. After going through an excruciating labor for eight days, everyone around me gave up on my mom and me. The sleepy town of Igbotu, now in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of ​​Ondo State, and its environs had no maternity hospital or medical facility to handle such a critical situation. Traditional midwives, Christian and Muslim clergy were brought from far and wide to at least save my mother’s life. Finally, in the early hours of Monday, November 23, 1959, those present were able to pull the baby out. The baby looked very weak and out of breath and was immediately put in a basket and thrown into a bin. I was supposed to be dead! The concern of those present was to save the life of my mother, who was equally weak and gasping for breath.

How did you survive?

About 20 minutes after I was born, an elderly woman, known in the village as ‘Iya Pupa’, came in and was told the baby came out dead. Surprisingly, she insisted on seeing the bin the allegedly dead baby had been thrown into. By the time the woman got there, an army of ants and other insects were already helping themselves to the baby’s tender body. However, Iya Pupa noticed that the newborn was warm and breathing weakly. She immediately sent for sand and a certain leaf from a nearby stream; she scrubbed on the baby’s body and alas, he reacted. Thus, God used the older woman to bring joy and celebration to the river community. So you can now appreciate the basis for the special bond between my late mother and me.

I thank God I didn’t allow my being a product of a broken home to drive me to waywardness. Instead, it gave me a new impetus to be determined to succeed in life and make sure I have an ideal family life.

How did that affect your education?

It was also a bit heavy. I was not privileged to enjoy the ideal system of ordinary primary, secondary and university education. I had to take a break every now and then. I attended UNA Primary School, Ebute-Metta, Lagos and later Trinity Secondary Technical School, Olodi-Apapa, also in Lagos. After that I got stuck and had to get a job; first as a laborer at Berger Paints, Iganmu and later as a telegraph operator at the Department of Posts and Telecommunications (P&T), Marina, Lagos. The interesting thing about my tertiary education is that I had to combine it with regular work. I took a two-year professional diploma course at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Ogba, Lagos in 1986 and a bachelor’s degree in journalism via distance learning.

Did you move on?

To fulfill my desire to become literate in the science of politics, after consistently covering the practice of politics for about three decades, I went back to school to earn a degree in political science from the University of Abuja. I didn’t stop there, I finished it off with a master’s degree in Media Arts from the same university. I also took courses in Journalism and Public Relations at renowned institutions in Great Britain, the United States and several other countries in the world. For example, when I was Chief Press Secretary to a Minister of Petroleum Resources in 1996, I took an International Public Relations course in London, which earned me a degree in Public Relations. It was coordinated by world-renowned public relations expert and author, the late Professor Sam Black. I also had the privilege of taking a certificate course in International Oil Supply, Transport, Refining and Trade in 1997 at the high profile College of Petroleum and Energy Studies, Oxford, UK.

Can you shed more light on your career journey?

My career journey has been exciting; fulfilling. The trip was worth it. I found favor with God and man. I tried to carve out a niche for myself in the specialized field of political reporting. Some of the political events, issues and structures I covered included the Great Nigeria Peoples Party (GNPP) of the Second Republic of the late Ibrahim Waziri, the 1983 General Elections, the House of Representatives of the Second Republic, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of the defunct Third Republic, the work and other activities of the Senate of the Third Republic and the National Republican Convention (NRC) during its existence. The coverage of the 1994 National Constitutional Conference and the 2005 National Political Reform Conference were assignments I found sensitive and challenging in the pursuit, reporting, and analysis of politics.

Given your difficult background and busy schedule as a reporter, how did you find time to love?

Well, as it is natural, I still found time for that. Mine was indeed love at first sight. The moment I met my wife I knew she would be my life partner because we flowed together so quickly – no pretenses, no cheating. Indeed, our courtship only lasted three months. We met at the annual Okosi Boat Regatta in Makun-Omi, Ogun Waterside Local Government Area. I thank Almighty God that I do not regret marrying my wife 37 years ago.

What irritates you about people and what are the pull factors?

I like people who are God-fearing, intelligent and hard-working. I am attracted to men and women who are focused and positive. Temperance must also be your watchword if you want to be my friend. However, I avoid people who are not honest and lazy. I abhor sadism. The can-do spirit has to be there if you want to be my friend.

How Do You Relax?

I listen and dance to Nigerian and African music. I also love to swim.

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