How a Story on Diya’s Assassination Attempt Led to My Relocation to the US – Laolu Akande

Each time I reflect on the Nigerian Tribune, I am reminded of its legacy as the nation’s oldest private newspaper. Few institutions in Nigeria today can boast such longevity. Tribune has always been a source of pride, carrying a legacy of resilience despite its many trials and triumphs. It’s a privilege to have been part of this enduring story.

The memories I made during my time with the African Newspapers of Nigeria (ANN), publishers of the Tribune titles, remain unforgettable. It was at Imalefalafia, Ibadan, that I formed some of the most meaningful friendships of my life—bonds that endure to this day.

Colleagues like Wale Adebanwi, Adeolu Akande, Johnson Otitoyomi, Segun Olatunji, and Bode Opeseitan were not just allies but a steadfast support system for a young journalist trying to reconcile his vision of a great nation with the reality of subpar leadership, particularly under military rule.

We were a group deeply committed to addressing Nigeria’s national issues. For us, journalism was more than a profession; it was a platform for driving change. Inspired by the vision of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, we felt emboldened to question leadership when things went wrong.

I began freelancing in 1989 during my final year at the University of Ibadan, publishing articles in Tribune and The Guardian. After graduating in 1990 and completing my National Youth Service, I received a job offer from Tribune, courtesy of then-Editor Folu Olamiti. Though my close friends were already staff members, I officially joined Tribune in 1995 under Editor-in-Chief Biodun Oduwole.

Oduwole entrusted me with the role of Special Projects Editor. One of my earliest assignments involved covering the banishment of Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki by General Abacha. Without knowing Hausa, I managed to infiltrate Dasuki’s private residence in Kaduna, gathering exclusive details from his associates. This unconventional reporting style became a hallmark of my work.

Another memorable assignment was covering the passing of Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe in May 1996, a significant moment in Nigerian history. By January 1997, I was appointed Editor of Tribune on Saturday, making me one of the youngest editors in the country at the time.

As editor, I focused on stories that spotlighted Nigeria’s struggle for democracy and civil rule. My team and I reported extensively on Nigerians abroad opposing the military regime, including coverage of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka’s confrontation with Nigeria’s UN Ambassador, Ibrahim Gambari, over renaming a New York street in honor of Kudirat Abiola.

The defining moment of my Tribune career, however, came in November 1997 with a story about an assassination attempt on General Oladipo Diya, then Chief of General Staff. Diya’s plane was rigged with a bomb, which detonated before his arrival. Our headline, Who Wants Diya Dead?, ran just before news broke of Diya’s arrest for allegedly plotting a coup.

That story brought me into the crosshairs of the State Security Service (SSS). Fearing persecution, I made the difficult decision to leave Nigeria for the United States. This marked the beginning of a 17-year journey abroad.

Looking back, my time at Tribune was a defining chapter in my career. It was a platform for amplifying the voices of the voiceless, a mission deeply rooted in the vision of its founder, Chief Awolowo. With Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu now at the helm, I am confident the legacy will endure. Congratulations to the Tribune at 75!