By Dirisu Yakubu

ABUJA—Veteran journalist and publisher of Vanguard newspapers, Mr. Sam Amuka, has charged media owners in the country to ensure payment of journalists in their employ to restore the dignity of the journalism profession.

Amuka made this call, yesterday, at the official presentation of a book, Journalism and Business: My Newspaper Odyssey, written by Isiaq Ajibola, former Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, Media Trust Limited, publishers of Daily Trust newspapers.

Represented by the Editor-in-Chief of Vanguard newspapers, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Amuka eulogized the author, describing him as a hard working man who had done well for the media industry

Amuka, whose column, Sad Sam, was a must-read for millions of Nigerians years ago, also described the Daily Trust newspapers where Ajibola worked for 20 years, as a “success story.”

Publisher Vanguard, Mr. Sam Amuka (r) and Chairman Channels Television, John Momoh during the presentation of a book titled Muhammadu Buhari: The Challenges Of Leadership In Nigeria authored by Prof. John Paden at the African Hall, International Conference Centre, Abuja. Photo by Abayomi ADESHIDA

According to him, journalism remains a noble profession, and the likes of Ajibola are shining examples of media entrepreneurs with whom journalists would always be proud to work with.

He said: “You cannot be a good businessman without being able to pay your staff,” he said, even as he called on media investors, journalists and communication students to read the book for its mileage and richness.

Earlier in his welcome address, the author, Mr. Isiaq Ajibola, said the dearth of sufficient materials on the inter-relationship and inter-dependence between journalism and business inspired him to document his experience for posterity.

He said: “It was lack of sufficient reference materials, beyond the subject matter of journalism itself, that gave me the first inspiration to write a book that would combine journalism and business, using my experience as a case study.”

However, beyond the inadequacy of reference materials, Ajibola, a co-founder of Media Trust Limited, said the success story of the company built from the scratch, also propelled him to share deep business insights, if only to inspire many who would be courageous enough to travel similar path.”