'Benzy Journalists' apologies to Muhammed Haruna

That was the title of a piece done by the inimitable Muhammed Haruna of

New Nigerian Newspapers.

The title at that time like now was funny and was easily dismissed by the subjects of the write up.

It was actually about the late Dele Giwa and Ray Ekpu, two leading journalists of their time.

The world is said to be divided into three groups of people namely, those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who do not know what is happening.

Journalists belong to the clan of those who watch things happen. Did Mike Awoyinfa not write that when a car is burning, a journalist should watch and write and not try to quench the fire?

Now, the heading was a simple way of treating a touchy issue. Which is the relationship between the journalist and those in power or authority or influence and how desire for lucre affects the quality of work.

Dele Giwa was a thorough bred but at the risk of speaking bad of the dead, he loved the good life too much for his own good.

At that time, Dele Giwa and Ray Ekpu had just acquired Mercedes Benz cars. Then those cars were hallmarks of status symbol.

Dele Giwa loved life so much that he married a leading socialite of that time who still bears his name till today, Florence Ita Giwa.

Even the letter bomb that killed him is linked to blackmail.

The fundamental question is how does one run with the hare and hunt with the hounds?

You are either with the people or against the people. How do you act as the scourge of the rich and Government and want to live an opulent lifestyle?

Should the journalist then live a life of want all his life?

The truth is that every man has his price until the right price is paid.

The biggest drawback to Dele Momodu's good works is his love for the good things of life which questions his objectivity where his rich friends are involved.

The best thing for the Journalist, is to aspire after, not a life of opulence but a life of modesty.