Babatunde Jose
Encyclopedia
Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose OFR
(born in Lagos
on December 13, 1925, died August 3, 2008) was a Nigeria
n journalist and newspaper editor. He was described by The Guardian
as the "legendary doyen of Nigerian journalism" and as "one of Nigeria's most significant media figures"; by The Independent
as the "newspaper editor who dominated journalism in Nigeria for three decades" and as "the mighty tree whose seedlings sprouted other titans of the profession"; and by the British Broadcasting Corporation as "the grandfather of Nigerian journalism".
Jose's father was a trader, originally from Ondo State
, who had moved to Lagos. Babatunde Jose received his education at Yaba Methodist school and St Saviour's College, then began his career in journalism. He worked briefly for the Daily Comet, then became a trainee at the Daily Times
in 1941, aged 16. He worked for several papers (including the Daily Mirror in Fleet Street
in London
for a year in 1951), then returned to the Daily Times and became editor in 1957, then a board member in 1958. Nigeria became independent in 1960, and Jose benefited from a policy of Africanisation: he "was appointed the company's first African managing director in 1962, becoming chairman as well in 1968". Over the following years, the Daily Times became Nigeria's best-selling newspaper. In 1965, he was awarded the title Officer of the Federal Republic
.
"[K]een on educated journalists," Jose "went out of his way to set up a training school and to employ graduates". According to The Independent, he shaped his trainees and graduates "into irreverent reporters and columnists who could deflate the egos of the pompous politicians and military men who ruled the country", though he "eschewed partisan politics". One of his trainees, Segun Osoba, later Governor of Ogun State
, said of him that he "encouraged intellectualism in Nigerian journalism" and "produced an array of highly successful journalists [...] many of whom have also gone on to establish their own newspapers and produce many other journalists".
Following a coup in 1975 by General Murtala Mohammed
, the Daily Times was forced to sell 60% of its shares to the government, and Jose was "eased out", departing a year later. The newspaper subsequently declined.
From 1976 onwards, he pursued a career as "a businessman and media guru, holding such positions as chairman of the Nigerian Television Authority
". He also served as "president of the Ahmadiyya
Islamic movement and on many committees and industry organisations".
Though he never graduated from a university, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of law by the University of Benin
. "Unusually for a Muslim
, he [also] received the Pope Pius medal for fostering religious understanding."
In 1987, he published his autobiography
, Walking a Tight Rope.
Orders, decorations, and medals of Nigeria
Nigerian National Honours are a set of orders and decorations conferred upon Nigerians and friends of Nigeria every year. They were instituted by the National Honors Act No...
(born in Lagos
Lagos
Lagos is a port and the most populous conurbation in Nigeria. With a population of 7,937,932, it is currently the third most populous city in Africa after Cairo and Kinshasa, and currently estimated to be the second fastest growing city in Africa...
on December 13, 1925, died August 3, 2008) was a Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
n journalist and newspaper editor. He was described by The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
as the "legendary doyen of Nigerian journalism" and as "one of Nigeria's most significant media figures"; by The Independent
The Independent
The Independent is a British national morning newspaper published in London by Independent Print Limited, owned by Alexander Lebedev since 2010. It is nicknamed the Indy, while the Sunday edition, The Independent on Sunday, is the Sindy. Launched in 1986, it is one of the youngest UK national daily...
as the "newspaper editor who dominated journalism in Nigeria for three decades" and as "the mighty tree whose seedlings sprouted other titans of the profession"; and by the British Broadcasting Corporation as "the grandfather of Nigerian journalism".
Jose's father was a trader, originally from Ondo State
Ondo State
Ondo State, Nigeria was created on 3 February 1976 from the former Western State. It originally included what is now Ekiti State, which was split off in 1996. Akure is the state capital.-Government and society:...
, who had moved to Lagos. Babatunde Jose received his education at Yaba Methodist school and St Saviour's College, then began his career in journalism. He worked briefly for the Daily Comet, then became a trainee at the Daily Times
Daily Times of Nigeria
The Daily Times of Nigeria is a newspaper with headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.At its peak, in the 1970s, it was one of the most successful locally owned businesses in Africa....
in 1941, aged 16. He worked for several papers (including the Daily Mirror in Fleet Street
Fleet Street
Fleet Street is a street in central London, United Kingdom, named after the River Fleet, a stream that now flows underground. It was the home of the British press until the 1980s...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
for a year in 1951), then returned to the Daily Times and became editor in 1957, then a board member in 1958. Nigeria became independent in 1960, and Jose benefited from a policy of Africanisation: he "was appointed the company's first African managing director in 1962, becoming chairman as well in 1968". Over the following years, the Daily Times became Nigeria's best-selling newspaper. In 1965, he was awarded the title Officer of the Federal Republic
Orders, decorations, and medals of Nigeria
Nigerian National Honours are a set of orders and decorations conferred upon Nigerians and friends of Nigeria every year. They were instituted by the National Honors Act No...
.
"[K]een on educated journalists," Jose "went out of his way to set up a training school and to employ graduates". According to The Independent, he shaped his trainees and graduates "into irreverent reporters and columnists who could deflate the egos of the pompous politicians and military men who ruled the country", though he "eschewed partisan politics". One of his trainees, Segun Osoba, later Governor of Ogun State
Ogun State
Ogun State is a state in South-western Nigeria. It borders Lagos State to the South, Oyo and Osun states to the North, Ondo State to the east and the republic of Benin to the west. Abeokuta is the capital and largest city in the state...
, said of him that he "encouraged intellectualism in Nigerian journalism" and "produced an array of highly successful journalists [...] many of whom have also gone on to establish their own newspapers and produce many other journalists".
Following a coup in 1975 by General Murtala Mohammed
Murtala Mohammed
General Murtala Ramat Mohammed born was a military ruler of Nigeria from 1975 until his assassination in 1976.-Role during 1960s coups:...
, the Daily Times was forced to sell 60% of its shares to the government, and Jose was "eased out", departing a year later. The newspaper subsequently declined.
From 1976 onwards, he pursued a career as "a businessman and media guru, holding such positions as chairman of the Nigerian Television Authority
Nigerian Television Authority
The Nigerian Television Authority - also known as NTA - was inaugurated in 1977 and is the government-owned body in charge of television broadcasting in the country. The NTA claims to run the biggest television network in Africa with stations in several parts of Nigeria...
". He also served as "president of the Ahmadiyya
Ahmadiyya
Ahmadiyya is an Islamic religious revivalist movement founded in India near the end of the 19th century, originating with the life and teachings of Mirza Ghulam Ahmad , who claimed to have fulfilled the prophecies about the world reformer of the end times, who was to herald the Eschaton as...
Islamic movement and on many committees and industry organisations".
Though he never graduated from a university, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of law by the University of Benin
University of Benin
There are several institutions called the University of Benin in West Africa:*The National University of Benin, in Cotonou, Benin*The University of Benin in Benin City, Nigeria*The University of Benin in Lomé, Togo, now known as the University of Lomé...
. "Unusually for a Muslim
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
, he [also] received the Pope Pius medal for fostering religious understanding."
In 1987, he published his autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, Walking a Tight Rope.