IN MEMORY OF DAFE ONOJOVWO

The announcement of Dafe’s death on facebook by Mr. Mobolaji Adebiyi took me by surprise and hit me beyond words. For about thirty minutes or more after reading Bolaji’s tribute on him, I kept looking at Dafe’s portrait posted on the internet not believing my eyes that he was really gone. Before I could re-gain my thought, the laptop on my lap was drenched with tears. I murmured to myself “what a painful departure”.

Dafe and I were professional colleagues and good friends; we, no doubt, had respect for each other. While Dafe was a very patient, calm and calculated person and could withstand all manner of intrigues in the course of his assignments, I had no patience at all for any form of intrigues. This, he knew and will always advice, “Gabby, you need to learn how to live with these things. This is the way we are, most people do not think they can survive in any system, no matter how competent or incompetent they might be, without running or bringing down another person for them to climb. It gives them joy. He would continue, but what do we do! We will not just abandon the system to them, even though; we are not going to join them in their evil ways. You must learn to be patient. He would stress”. Any time Dafe came up with his advice, I always bellow at him, “I am not cut out for that! It is patience that killed the cow. You imagine the foolish patience of a cow for example; he was captured and tied up from Maiduguri, and on tortured journey to Lagos without any form of protest. At the point of being slaughtered at the abattoir the cow will begin to struggle, when it hasn’t the slightest chance of survival. I will tell him, I am not that foolish. You dare not try those antics on a lion, whoever does will surely pay dearly for it” I will shout at him. Dafe never picked offence, instead, he will smile. Because of Dafe’s simplicity, he never made money or held any spectacular position in our society, in spite of his enormous intelligence. He was always himself.

Now that Dafe is gone, I am constrained to once again look at the Journalist's Creed that was written by the first dean of the Missouri School of Journalism, Walter Williams. One century after his excellent job, his declaration remains one of the clearest statements of the principles, values and standards of journalists throughout the world. The plaque bearing the creed is located on the main stairway to the second floor of Neff Hall. I wonder how many of our very ambitious and daring journalists in Nigeria, have bordered to read this creed. More importantly, how many of them are bordered about what people will say about them tomorrow, dead or alive.

The last part of the creed reads, “I believe that the journalism which succeeds best -- and best deserves success -- fears God and honours Man; is stoutly independent, unmoved by pride of opinion or greed of power, constructive, tolerant but never careless, self-controlled, patient, always respectful of its readers but always unafraid, is quickly indignant at injustice; is unswayed by the appeal of privilege or the clamour of the mob; seeks to give every man a chance and, as far as law and honest wage and recognition of human brotherhood can make it so, an equal chance; is profoundly patriotic while sincerely promoting international good will and cementing world-comradeship; is a journalism of humanity, of and for today's world”.

We do all manners of evil in the name of journalism practice in this part of the world. How many of our so called publishers, editors and colleague, we have these words said about them dead or alive. The outpouring of tributes on Dafe’s departure is quite instructive and makes an interesting reading:-

Prince Bayo. “This is sad, so very sad indeed. He was indeed a perfect gentleman and always willing to assuage you in troubled times. I worked with him on Business Desk of The Punch and I was also privileged to be on the panel that interviewed him for the job and that really strengthened our relationship. He was a great talent combining his wealth of experience as a former lecturer and sound mind with robust understanding of issues. He was a very disciplined man with Spartan lifestyle. He will be truly missed.
I have no doubt in mind that all who crossed his path in his life time will truly miss him. Always very passionate on the well being of his colleagues. He was indeed a good man. How sad to describe him in the past tense.
RIP”.

Ibanga Isine “On my first meeting September 13, 2002, he held my hands, looked straight into my eyes and told me things that later defined my career not only in the Punch but wherever the services of my pen will be required. However, in the course of working with the Punch, Dafe was just one of the very few senior staff who practiced what he preached. Gentle, kind, unassuming, super intelligent with a distinctive sense of humour. May God be kind to you in death and may your passion for excellence find expression in your children and those you loved and left behind. Go DAFE. Go Great MAN!”

Oke Epia “unbelievably sad....spoke with him just the day before the sad event. May God rest his soul”. Amen

Kote Onungwe Obe-Eleme “A perfect gentleman indeed. This is really shocking 'cos Uncle Dafe with his ever present comforting smiles and great command of the language cannot die. Everyone whose path he crossed especially at The Punch will miss him. No!”

Semiu Okanlawon “A man of elegant prose. Even when he dealt with critical issues bordering on national survival, he did with a soothing style that made you forget the pains inflicted on us by national issues. Here was a writer!”

Joke Kujenya “I'm loss for words to accept 'Dafe's demise. What happened to him? We spoke barely a month ago and I could still recall his ever gentle voice and picture his registered smile... 'Dafe was a true definition of a gentleman. I love the way he would always share knowledge with anyone. A superb writer in every sense. But now, he's taken his exit. What can I say? Another star fallen... It's so painful but all the same, I can only bid you Goodbye!!! May GOD strengthen the heart of your lovely wife and wonderful children”.

Alex Okumo “I am still in shock. He was great soul! He touched my life in very many ways. He taught me English Language at the extra-mural classes of the College of Education Warri when I was preparing for JAMB. The notebook from that class remains one of my prized possessions; I have found it difficult to let it go because of the wealth of information in it and the simple way most of the topics are explained. He was also there for me in my professional career always ready with a word of encouragement/advice. He was a decent and gentle man, one who had the courage to live what he preached. My heart bleeds at the circumstances of his death. It is my prayer that God will have mercy on his soul and give his family the fortitude to bear this huge loss”.

Bisi Olaniyi “SO SAD! EXCEPTIONALLY BRILLIANT GENTLEMAN, WHO HATED SLOPPY GRAMMAR. GOD ALMIGHTY WILL GIVE THE MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY OF OGA DAFE ONOJOVWO, THE GREAT PUNCHER. THE FORTITUDE TO BEAR THE LOSS RIP. ICON OF JOURNALISM”.

Michael Awe “I saw him last the day he paid me a visit at home on his way to work. That was when I knew he had been battling his health challenges. Dafe was a very good friend, humble and diligent at work. Ever smiling and firm, Dafe's death came to me as a rude shock. May God give all of us his colleagues, particularly his immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss. Adieu Dafe!”

Augustine Avwode “I can still hear that voice, even now, "Oshare na" with a gentle reassuring smile playing on his face. That was Oga Dafe whenever he saw me. I join others to say Rest In Perfect Peace now that you are free from all earthly labour”.

Frederick Apeji “Am very sad to hear this. We were colleagues while I served at Punch as Advert Manager/Corporate Affairs Manager (1998-2000). A dedicated man and a jolly good fellow. And most of all, he was my "Big Brother" while I was there, and even after I left. May the Lord accept his soul. And may He comfort his loved ones”.

Prince Taiwo Fowowe “Goodnight to a gentle soul - though I was in Admin while in Punch but our paths crossed several times in the course of work. RIP”.

Churchill Umoren “Anyone who passed through Punch's editorial dept must have had a very touchy personal encounter with Dafe....i did...may his soul RIPP”.

Ofonime Umanah “Can someone wake me from this sleep? No, no, no, Dafe is not dead. He can’t go just like that. I have been opportuned to work under him during my days in The Punch. He was not just a teacher but a friend. IN Daily Independent, till when I left,I was happy that I also met him there. His smiles were usually infectious. You wouldnt know who was the boss because of the way he related with his subordinates. Kai, my oga, death why?”

Adeola Yusuf “Indeed he lived life with utmost simplicity. Good night Oga Dafe. U surely deserves a rest in the bosom of the LORD!”

Dan Akpovwa “ A sad end indeed....”

Raheem Adedoyin “A truly sad loss.”

Adeniji Stephen Olayiwola “He was such a very strong voice. He was always a delightful read. RIP.”

Segun Dele Dipe. “I agree with you that Edafe was a perfect gentleman. But his passing on has sent a wrong signal to a lot of people. It's weird”.

Abiodun Adelaja. “Dafe, definitely was a nice man. We were colleagues at The Punch”.

Austeen Elewodalu “Let someone tell me what killed Dafe”.

Adesina Wahab “It is good night to a gentleman, Oga Dafe, may God be with his family and grant him eternal rest amen”.

Oluyinka Oladoyinbo “It is painful to learn that our erudite language teacher while i sojourned in Punch is gone, Dafe was just a gentle and nice man, all we can pray for is the fortitude for the family to bear the irreparable loss, good night Dafe”.

Olayinka Oyegbile “This is a shock. I only just stumbled on this now. As everyone above has attested to he was a nice man. Soft spoken and candid. It's a debt we all owe and must repay. May his soul rest in peace”.

Chido Nwakanma “So sad to learn of his passing. RIP Dafe”.

Dafe with your life style, you have shown that greed and avarice is not the best example to show as a journalist. Rest until we meet to part no more.

Mr. Omohinmin is a Media Consultant based in Lagos