…But to no golden acclaim, as even the media, constituency of NTA’s Mike Enahoro, seem oblivious of their own
Two deaths. Two diametrically contrasting reportage — and a disturbing picture of a distracted media, and a nation logging a suspect moral conscience.
This appears the unflattering set-up, at the deaths of Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, former Bayelsa governor and Mike Enahoro, former colourful NTA Network News anchor, both incidentally from the South-South geo-political zone.
We share in the intense private grief of Chief Alamieyeseigha’s family, the former governor dying at the not-so-ripe age of 62, in the midst of so much family storm, reportedly involving his wife and son.
But Alamieyeseigha’s public profile, from his controversial governorship, to his controversial impeachment, trial and conviction for corruption charges, and finally to his no-less controversial presidential pardon after serving his time, was nothing but notorious. Yet, it was to his passage that the media sensationally latched.
Is William Shakespeare wrong after all, claiming even the heavens themselves would trumpet the passage of great souls — great meaning more of popular than notorious?
This question is valid, given the way the media barely mentioned the passage of Mr. Enahoro, 75, true golden boy, with a golden voice, in the golden era of television, when NTA ruled the roost. While Alamieyeseigha’s passage hugged the front pages of newspapers, led electronic news bulletins and ran riot on social media, Enahoro’s passage was almost an after-thought, buried inside the mass of news.
Yet, he was among the best in his generation; and his tale ought to be gloriously told, if only for those not old enough to know him in his active years, that Nigeria had not always been a monopoly seedy news, dominated by barren and noxious public figures.
Mike Enahoro dazzled among the galaxy of NTA stars of his generation: Bimbo Oloyede (nee Roberts), Bode Alalade, Sienne Allwell-Brown, Ruth Benamesia and, of course, Julie Coker; and in sports, the late but great Yinka Craig.
Enahoro’s signature Ishan costume, deep baritone voice, comely elocution and arresting fluency, as he read prime time news, held viewers in thrall. NTA claimed 30 million Nigerians were hooked to its network every night — and certainly, it crowed in a commercial punch line, “30 million viewers cannot be wrong”!
It’s unclear if NTA ever statistically proved its 30 million viewership claim. But something was certain: Mike Enahoro made a positive impact on viewers — he was suave, he was debonair, he was dashing; his Ishan news anchor persona symbolised respectable culture and tradition, in a contemporary, cosmopolitan setting.
Besides, he oozed a grand and good background, given the positive exploits of his Enahoro siblings, who had made great marks in journalism — and politics.
Tony Enahoro, the eldest of them all, first moved Nigeria’s motion for independence in 1953. Old man Enahoro would stay in the trenches, even at the twilight of his life, as Nigeria of his dreams was not adding up. Peter Enahoro, Peter Pan, the great Sunday Times columnist and youngest ever to edit Daily Times, is another sibling.
Mike Enahoro, with his NTA exploits, was only raising the family’s robust public service legacy a notch higher.
That was why it was scandalous that the media, which Enahoro represented with so much aplomb and distinction, were literally scratching their heads — Enahoro who? — at his passage! But then, that shows how disoriented the media have become; and how polluted the Nigeria Enahoro left behind was.
Still, when the history of this era is written, Enahoro would stand proud among its true icons — patriots that gave their all, for their country to be great.
Sleep well, great television personality; and role model in his generation!
The Nation
Love you Mike for ever
I worked for Prime TV owned by Mike Enahoro. Not long after I finished my youth service. He gave me my first full time media job on the set of ‘Cooking Time’. He told me stories of his younger days at NTA. Nigeria has a TV history that should be written. I was so excited to be part of that history. But then I left the country and went into theatre. I hoped to see him again. I am sad I will not. May he rest in peace. I remain inspired.