Sam Amuka-Pemu
Nigerian journalist
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Prince Sam Amuka Pemu (born 13 June 1935) is a Nigerian journalist, columnist and publisher, who founded the Vanguard, Nigeria's leading newspaper, and was co-founder of The Punch, one of the most widely read newspapers in Nigeria.[1][2] He was born in Sapele, a city in Delta State, southern Nigeria, into the family of Pa Amuka-Pemu and Madam Teshoma Amuka-Pemu.[3][4][5]
Sam Amuka Pemu | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 June 1935 |
| Citizenship | Nigerian |
| Occupation | Journalism |
| Years active | 1971 – present |
| Known for | Founder of Vanguard newspaper |
Journalism career
He was a Daily Times of Nigeria editor and the first editor of the Sunday Punch before he established The Punch with his friend, the late Olu Aboderin, in 1971.[6] He later established Vanguard Newspaper in 1983 with three other Nigerian columnists.[7] Amuka was described as a "Gentleman of the Press" by President Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th birthday.[8] He was described as an icon and a leading light in Nigerian journalism by Nduka Obaigbena, a former President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria.[9] Amuka-Pemu is the oldest practising media professional in Nigeria today who had been cited by peers. A book entitled From 1939 to the Vanguard of Modern Journalism written by Kola Muslim Animasaun, who also trained under him, acknowledged his immense contributions to journalism in Nigeria.[10][11]