Babatunde Jose, Doyen of Nigerian Journalism, Lives On 10 Years After

Dipo Kehinde/

In the sixth stanza of Hallowed Ground, a poem written in 1825, the renowned Scottish poet, Thomas Campbell, says:

“…Whose sword or voice has served mankind,—

And is he dead, whose glorious mind

Lifts thine on high?—

To live in hearts we leave behind

Is not to die.”

These evocative lines came to mind on August 2, when the Anwar-UI Islam Movement of Nigeria held a special prayer (Du’a) and reception in Lagos to mark the 10^th anniversary of the death of the Doyen of Nigerian Journalism, Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose OFR.

The gathering of eminent personalities celebrated the virtues of Alhaji Jose, who had once been described by The Guardian as the “legendary doyen of Nigerian journalism” and as “one of Nigeria’s most significant media figures”; by The Independent as the “newspaper editor who dominated journalism in Nigeria for three decades” and as “the mighty tree whose seedlings sprouted other titans of the profession” and by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) as “the grandfather of Nigerian journalism”.

Alhaji Jose once served as President of the Ahmadiyya Islamic Movement, and unusually for a Muslim, he received the Pope Pius medal for fostering religious understanding.

The Fidau held at Jibril Martin Memorial Grammar School, Iponri, in Lagos, was led by the National Chief Imam/Missioner of Anwar-Ul Islam Movement of Nigeria, Alhaji A.B. Yoosuf and a lecture was delivered by the President of Muslim Community of Lagos State, Prof. T.G.O. Gbadamosi.

A tribute was also delivered at the event by the National President of Anwar-Ul Islam Movement of Nigeria, Alhaji Mubashir Adekunle Ojelade, and white-cap chiefs were there to represent the traditional ruler of Lagos, Oba Riliwanu Akiolu.

Here is the full text of the tribute delivered by Alhaji Ojelade:

All praise and adoration are due to Allah, the Lord of the universe. May His peace and blessings be upon the noble Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon Him), His companions and followers till and beyond the end of time (Amin).

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all on behalf of the National Executive Council, Trustees, Elders and entire members of Anwar-UI Islam Movement of Nigeria to this Du’a and reception as we join the family to remember in prayer and to celebrate the 10^th anniversary of the demise of Dr Ismail Babatunde Jose, OFR.

A journalist of great repute, accomplished community and religious leader, a distinguished Statesman, and patriot per excellence in Nigeria. Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose was born on 13^th December 1925 as the 2^nd son of Mama Ajara Gborigi of Nupe/Fulani origin and Pa Hamzah Jose, son of Imam Buraimoh Olaosebikan Jose. He attended Lagos Government School, Oke Sunna, Lagos, Methodist Primary School, Yaba and St. Saviour’s Boys’ High School, Lagos. On completion of his secondary education, young Jose With the assistance of his late father and Sir Adeyemo Alakija (then Chairman Daily Times) was employed as a trainee in the Technical Department of the Company in 1941 though he would have wished to be employed as a reporter. In spite of this disappointment, Alhaji Jose took up the appointment with great zeal and determination. He demonstrated exemplary commitment and integrity, which did not go unnoticed by his superiors as he was elevated rapidly through the ranks culminating in his appointment as Editor of Daily Times in December 1957 at the age of 32 years, and subsequently as the Managing Director and Chairman of the Company. His contribution to the emergence of Daily Times as the leading and most widely read Newspaper in Nigeria and recognized as one of the best in Africa was legendary and unparalleled. It is no exaggeration to say that at one point, Alhaji Jose was everything about the Daily Times and Daily Times was everything about Alhaji Jose. His sterling qualities, intellectual versatility and sound character endeared him to successive Presidents and Heads of State of the Country (Military and Civilian) who called on him at crucial moments of our nation’s turbulent history to serve his fatherland which he did selflessly.

In this regard, the following are worthy of note:

1. Pa Jose was the Chairman of the Committee that recommended the change from left to right-hand traffic in April 1972 under the government of General Yakubu Gowon.
2. Pa Jose, under the regime of former President Shehu Shagari, was Chairman of a Committee constituted to advise the government on the management and conduct of Hajj operations in the Country.
3. Due to the seeming unpopularity of the Buhari Idiagbon regime because of its unimpressive record of human rights abuses and draconian laws (decree), the government commissioned Pa Jose amongst others to undertake an image laundry mission to shore up the image of the Nigerian governance.
4. After the Babangida coup in 1993, Alhaji Jose was in the team of eminent citizens (Just four of them) who were consulted by the government to prevail on General Tunde Idiagbon to return home from Saudi Arabia.
5. He also served as the Chairman of the Pilgrims Board under the Babangida administration. Permit me to stop here to discuss briefly Pa Jose in relation to his outstanding service to Anwar-Ul Islam Movement of Nigeria.

Pa Jose never allowed his high status and position as Managing Director and Chairman of Daily Times to undermine or compromise his service to the Movement which he joined as a young man at Division 3 Epetedo, Lagos.

He served variously as General Secretary (1960 – 64) and Vice President (1964 – 67) under Late Alhaji Pa B.D. Oshodi. He was elected President in 1967 at the age of 42 years thus becoming the youngest President in the history of the Movement. It is most unlikely that this record would be broken in the near future.

During his tenure, Pa Jose with the active support and collaboration of the Missionary Board, headed by our most revered Late Chief Imam L. S. Akodu established several new Missions throughout the Country. He was instrumental to the establishment of Ahmadiyyah Boys High School in 1961, which was later merged with Ahmadiyyah Girls High School to create Jibril Martin Memorial Grammar School, Iponri in 1964. Ahmadiyyah Girls’ High School, Ojokoro in 1973.

Alhaji Jose continued the vigorous education policy of his predecessors ensuring that the standard of the Movement’s schools was not compromised. Headed by tested and capable hands like the late Pa Rabiu Adekunle Balogun and Pa Jimoh A. Gbadamosi OFR. The Movement’s Schools (particularly Ahmadiyyah College, Agege) were competing favourably with other first-generation schools within the Lagos metropolis.

During Alhaji Jose’s tenure as Vice President, Ahmadiyyah College (With Pa 1. A. Gbadamosi as Principal) was approved for the Higher School Certificate in 1965. In 1971, (with Pa Jose as President), the College was reported to have produced the best overall student (Late Tunde Mabinuori) in the Higher School Certificate examination throughout the Country.

During the same period, the College and Ahmadiyyah Grammar School, Eleiyele, Ibadan, accomplished various other feats in sports and academics in a rare display of rugged determination and courage, Pa Jose initiated the debate over the prophet-hood of Gullam Ahmad and the appropriateness or otherwise of the continuous use of the name Ahmadiyyah Movement in Islam. How can anyone differentiate between an Ahmadi who accepts Gullam Ahmad as a prophet and the Ahmadi who does not accept him as a prophet?

Ultimately, the resolution endorsing the change of name in principle was passed by the National Executive Council meeting, chaired by Alhaji Jose on Sunday, 26^th May 1974 by 22 votes to 11 Pa Jose retired thereafter, following which late Pa S.L. Edu, OFR assumed the mantle of leadership in 1973 and effected the change of name to Anwar-Ul Islam Movement in May 1974. The objectors challenged the decision at the Lagos High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court.

The Landmark judgment by Ademola Candide Johnson, (C.J. Lagos, of blessed memory) to the effect that “The Association, then known as Ahmadiyyah Movement in Islam, had ceased to exist having metamorphosed into Anwar-Ul Islam Movement of Nigeria” was upheld on appeal by the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court.

After his retirement as President, Alhaji Jose continued to show a keen interest in the affairs and progress of the Movement, ensuring that there was peaceful co-existence among members and between the various organs of the Movement. He regularly admonished us to imbibe the spirit of consultation and dialogue and to shun hostility and confrontation. He was reputed to have visited the Movement’s Missions outside Lagos more than any other President before him. He was regular at Conferences.

Papa was a genuine democrat. He loved debates. In spite of his numerous achievements, he was humane, simple and approachable. May Allah forgive him his trespasses and admit him to Al-Jannah Firdaus, Amin.

I consider it a great honour to have this opportunity to give this tribute on behalf of the Movement, in commemoration of the 10th year Anniversary of the demise of a visionary leader, a devout Muslim, accomplished Community and religious leader, a journalist and administrator of repute and former President of our great Movement.

I thank you all for listening.