A Life of Contradictions and Courage
Dapsy, a name that has become synonymous with fearless journalism in Nigeria, is a man of many layers. His journey, marked by both triumphs and trials, has shaped him into a figure who embodies the complexities of modern life. From his early days as a curious student to his role as a pioneering journalist, Dapsy’s story is one of resilience, intellectual curiosity, and unwavering commitment to truth.
A Man of Many Faces
In a book titledTestimony to Courage, which was published when he turned 62, Dapsy’s friends, colleagues, siblings, mentees, and mentors painted a vivid picture of a man whose personality defies easy categorization. To his teachers, he was a brilliant but confused student; to his siblings, a generous but enigmatic brother; to his friends, a bookish and bohemian spirit, yet loyal and affable; to his mentees, a warm and supportive mentor who made people feel at ease, though sometimes too playful to offer critical feedback on character flaws; and to his staff, a compassionate and inspirational boss whose laid-back leadership style occasionally hindered effective management.
His life seems to mirror the fictional character Andrew Ames from the novelComplex Man, who constantly seeks reconciliation with contradicting realities rather than escape. Observing him closely, one can see an individual who truly represents the contradictions of modern man, searching for meaning in a fragmented and complex world.
The Bookworm and the Rebel
Despite being a self-proclaimed bookworm, Dapsy has yet to read the book about himself. “I’m afraid. It’s too gushing in some places,” he said in his usual playful manner. Had he read it, he might have discovered that his siblings view him as a rebel and sometimes a reckless daredevil—labels he may not contest.
During an interview, I shared with him a story about his brother, Sola Olorunyomi, a professor at the University of Ibadan. According to Sola, Dapsy was often missing from family dinners, appearing without a bib like the others. When asked why, his response was usually, “Do I look like a kid?” He was also frequently absent during morning devotion prayers. His parents were devout Christians, and his grandfather was a reverend who brought the Baptist Church to a community now known as Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State.
Yet, instead of following in the footsteps of his religious forebears, Dapsy found solace in reading dense and “godless” philosophers such as Theodor Adorno, Walter Benjamin, and Louis Althusser. “I am just curious about knowledge,” he said. This curiosity led him to the Faculty of Humanities at the University of Ife, where Professor Wole Soyinka and Professor Biodun Jeyifo, former ASUU president, dominated the academic landscape. Jeyifo would eventually supervise his master’s thesis.
Journalism as a Weapon
Dapsy’s passion for justice and freedom led him to investigative journalism. Unlike his friend Femi Falana, who pursued law, Dapsy found his voice through the written word. When he joinedThe Guardian, a newspaper considered the flagship of Nigerian journalism, he made a significant impact that cost him and others their freedom. As the assistant editor ofAfrican Concord, he wrote a cover story that landed some of his colleagues in jail.
Later, when he foundedThe NEWSalongside other irreverent journalists like Kunle Ajibade and Bayo Onanuga, they took adversarial journalism to a new level. During the Abacha regime, journalists like Dapsy became targets. Ajibade was jailed for life, and Bagauda Kaltho disappeared without a trace. Dapsy, however, managed to escape into exile via the NADECO route, where he spent years planning with other June Twelfthists to end Abacha’s tyranny.
Exile and Advocacy
Dapsy initially wanted to flee to South Africa, not the US. However, the South African embassy was directly opposite the Police Headquarters, making the journey too dangerous. In the US, he worked for Freedom House, advocating for freedom of expression, the rule of law, and human rights. He returned to Nigeria after Abacha’s death and took on the role of Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Nuhu Ribadu.
This job was fraught with danger. He survived several assassination attempts. When their tenure ended and Ribadu became a hunted man, Dapsy decided to return to the US. Around this time, Dele Olojede, the first African to win a Pulitzer Prize, was setting upNEXT 234, a newspaper that aimed to challenge the Nigerian power elite. Olojede called Dapsy, offering him the position of Enterprise Editor.
The Rise and Fall of NEXT
Olojede shared his vision, and Dapsy accepted, though with a warning: “This business will bite you.” His prophecy came true.NEXTbecame a thorn in the side of the Nigerian elite, and they did everything they could to shut it down. Ultimately,NEXTfolded, and Olojede returned to his refuge in Stellenbosch, South Africa.
But Dapsy was not done. He co-foundedPremium Timeswith Musikilu Mojeed, learning from the mistakes ofNEXT. They decided early on that PT would be a digital newspaper, diversifying their revenue streams through grant-seeking. Today,Premium Timeshas become a trailblazer in enterprise journalism, producing hard-nosed journalists who keep Nigeria’s power elite in check.
A Legacy of Courage
Happy birthday, Dapsy. Your journey, filled with contradictions and courage, continues to inspire.