One of Africa’s most celebrated international journalists, Peter Enahoro, is dead.
Popularly known as ‘Peter Pan’, he died in London on Monday, aged 88.
Born on January 21, 1935, Enahoro was also an author, businessman and publisher.
Known by the pen name of ‘Peter Pan’ because of his popular column in New African magazine under that name, he has been described as “perhaps Africa’s best known international journalist”.
Enahoro who cut his teeth in journalism during Nigeria’s pre-independence struggles became the youngest editor of the iconic Daily Times in 1960.
He was later appointed as the Managing Director of the Newdpaper Group in the 1990s.
As a democrat and a die-hard believer in freedom of free press and the freedom of journalists to express their views devoid of intimidation and recrimination from management, Enahoro as the Chief Executive of the Daily Times Group, created a recreation arena within the Agidimgbi Complex he named “Freedom Square”, where journalists working in the company can converge and freely criticize his management without let or hinderance.
This singular act created a camaraderie atmosphere between staff and top management in the achievement of sustained growth of the company during his tenure.
Many Nigerian leaders have mourned the demise of the legendary Peter Pan, who was also the junior brother to Chief Anthony Enahoro, the late nationalist and elder statesman.
Among them are the President-Elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
Tinubu in a statement by his media aide, Tunde Rahman, Tuesday, described Enahoro as a patriot who devoted his entire working life and journalism career to the quest for a better Nigeria, where every citizen can find joy and fulfilment.
Tinubu said the deceased would be remembered and cherished forever and urged Nigerian journalists to follow his examples.
“The news of the death of Mr Peter Enahoro at 88 brought sadness because our society is always better and enriched by the wisdom of our venerable senior citizens like veteran journalists in the class of Peter Pan who shaped and changed the course of history with the power of their pen,” the president-elect was quoted as saying.
“An author, businessman, and publisher, Mr Enahoro will be remembered and forever cherished for his unwavering belief in the greatness of Nigeria and for using the instrumentality of media practice to promote good governance, rule of law, and social justice in our country.
“His seminal book, ‘How To Be A Nigerian,’ published in 1966 will be a reference material on good citizenship. Mr Enahoro accomplished so much within the media profession and nation-building, becoming Editor of the highly influential Sunday Times at the age of 23 in 1958, and Editor of the Daily Paper in 1962 before assuming the position of Editor-in-Chief in 1966.
“He returned home from his sojourn abroad in the 90s to also man the position of Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the same Daily Times.
“I extend my heartfelt sympathy and condolences to the immediate family, associates, and lovers of this famous and committed Nigerian nationalist, even as I urge us all to follow his examples.
“Peter Pan did extraordinarily well for the journalism profession and for Nigeria. I wish him eternal rest,” Tinubu said.
Also, the Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki in a statement on Tuesday, described the deceased as a national treasure, who secured his place in history in the feisty early years of Nigeria’s nationhood.
He said Enahoro, who hailed from Uromi, in Edo, made a lasting imprint on journalism practice in Nigeria and internationally.
“He was a cerebral journalist, who deployed his intellect in the service of the country, providing and nurturing the space for healthy debates on national policies that impact the lives of the people,” Obaseki stated.
“One can rightly say that his engagements were a labour of love for the development of Nigeria, and the vibrant press in the country today owes much of its credit to Pa Enahoro’s bold and courageous skill with the pen to hold those in power to account for their deeds.
“A thorough-bred Edo man, he spoke truth to power and espoused noble virtues of diligence, hard work and intellectual rigour.
The governor said the deceased will be remembered for his “charm and candour as well as his commitment to a society with a free, just and vibrant press, where everyone is free to express their opinion without let”.
