By
Mike Asuquo
Opinion, it’s said, is the lowest form of knowledge.
And a thrilled Mrs Maiden Ibru poured encomiums on Thisday newspaper as a mark of gratitude for honour and declared that Thisday is the numero uno newspaper in the country!
She was emphatic and left no one in doubt about the authority of her declaration based on “facts”!
And some ctitics have contended that she committed a faux pas by being candid about the leadership of newspaper industry in the country. Some critics have further called her out and said that was a “mis-speak” – that she “misspoke”!
It’s definitely within her rights and power to pay unvarnished compliments on Thisday newspsper, which with its foray into broadcasting with ARISE TV, have become a virtual tag team champion of Nigeria’s publishing industry.
When did it become a crime for a rival to eat the humble pie and give due credit to a distinguished competitor?
Most of the critics of Maiden’s flagship voyage to Thisday have displayed the employee mentality to the matter. For most employees see rival establishments as entities beyond bound! At least, they have to hide their true intentions without any open display of their true feelings towards such enterprises!
And Mrs Maiden’s Ibru – perhaps in anticipation of the critics jibes and unfair punches- rubbed it in that she was the Chairman of The Guardian Group! Without mincing words, she showed that she was covered with an insurance policy that had a licence to pronounce – and announce – that she was not only the “law” at The Guardian, she was its Guardian angel! I guess she never forgot that she carried as well the burden on the flagship’s masthead: “CONSCIENCE NURTURED BY TRUTH”!
The woman spoke the truth – to herself and to the world. She even reiterated her position as based on fact.
Her action may be seen as de-marketing her publication. And so what!
May be she has something up her sleeves.
But that truth – told about Thisday on that day – was liberating, decent and freed her from living the lie of chairing a once great newspaper now struggling with the rump of greatness.
She publicly acknowledged a fact-based truth that was now naked!
She did not concede to a surrender, but until her business model catapults her enterprise to breast the tape in the hotly contested business dash, she can live – and have her peace!
Those who do not understand the burden of living the lie with – and of – truth will not understand her – and her sentiments! To have done otherwise is the standard fare for small-mindedness!
Newspaper leadership is not a title of royalty. Its a hard-earned position based on true and verifiable accomplishments.
The years bear witness to the days of triumph of the West African Pilot, Daily Times, The Guardian, Concord, Newswatch and – now Thisday on the Nigerian publishing scene!! Newspapering leadership is a virtual moving – and ever – shifting sand! The honoured is earned – never conferred. People can dispute the matrix for picking the leader but the championship – and the champion – is never in doubt!
It’s a sign of the times that one publisher toes the path of honour and grace – returns the respect and compliments of a competitor with a sentiment that captures the publishing reality of our time!
Truth – even in publishing – just as in every other thing in life – speaks to a freedom of mind. space and worth!
How come that the crew of the voyager, WHEN THE FLAGSHIP LED, should be aghast that the captain of the current HMV has blown the cover of her position that the flagship has taken a torpedo hit! Didn’t this group author its greatness in the past – When the Flagship Led?
The consoling news is that the Flagship may be stricken but it can still be managed into the dock – for a refit and another chance at greatness! The current minders of the flagship only have to tinker with the business model to find a new haven in the hearts and wallets of the readership in the digital age!
So let Mrs Malden Ibru be and let her enjoy her MAIDEN journey into the newspapering leadership title with a truth-induced admission that the flag of The Guardian is now flying at half- staff – or if you delude yourself – at half-mast!
ASUQUO, LAWYER AND CONSULTANT, ONCE WORKED AT THE GUARDIAN
