Babatunde Jose

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British Broadcasting Corporation as "the grandfather of Nigerian journalism".[4]

Early life and education

Jose was born to the family of Hamzat and Hajarat Jose, his father was a trader, originally from Ikare[5] in Ondo State, who had moved to Lagos, his mother was of Nupe ancestry. His paternal grand father was Braimoh Jose, once the Seriki Musulmi of Calabar.[6] Babatunde Jose received his education at Lagos Government School, Yaba, Lagos, Methodist school, Yaba and St Saviour's College.[citation needed]

Journalism career

Jose started his career at

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.[1][2]

"Keen on educated journalists," Jose "went out of his way to set up a training school and to employ graduates".

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".[2]

Following a

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.[1]

From 1976 onwards, he pursued a career as "a businessman and media guru, holding such positions as chairman of the Nigerian Television Authority".[1] He also served as "president of the Ahmadiyya Islamic movement and on many committees and industry organizations".[2]

Though he never graduated from a university, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of law by the

Muslim, he [also] received the Pope Pius medal for fostering religious understanding."[2]

In 1987, he published his autobiography, Walking a Tight Rope.[8]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Babatunde Jose: Legendary doyen of Nigerian journalism", The Guardian, 25 August 2008
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Ismail Babatunde Jose: Newspaper editor who dominated journalism in Nigeria for three decades", The Independent, 25 September 2008
  3. ^ "Remembering Alhaji Babatunde Jose (1925-2008)". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2 August 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Nigeria: Still standing, but standing still", BBC, 23 September 2010
  5. ^ "Life Story of Ismail Babatunde Jose (December 13, 1925 โ€“ August 2, 2008) - Online Memorial Website".
  6. ^ Daily Times of Nigeria Limited., & Namme, L. N. (1976). P. 92
  7. ^ Daily Times of Nigeria Limited., & Namme, L. N. (1976). The story of the Daily Times, 1926-1976. Lagos: Daily Times of Nigeria. P. 92
  8. ISBN 978-154-911-4
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