Almost forty (40) years of active post-graduation journalism practice in Nigeria, thirty one (31) of which have been devoted to publishing Nigeria’s most successful community Newspaper, Oriwu Sun, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Chuma Adichie, engaged Chief Monzor Olowosago, Founder/Publisher of the newspaper in another anniversary interview, the second in the series to celebrate the 31 years of Oriwu Sun.
Taste this menu served by this 1977 London Journalism graduate.
It is delicious.
Q: There is this most asked question and most held view by many, who believe that you derive your wealth from drug pushing and other means than selling a fat newspaper that goes for N200 (cover price). What’s your take on this?
A: It is true that I have been confronted with this question from different quarters. I laugh each time I hear that comment or question. It is a pity that many still think that a newspaper derives its bulk revenue from its sale (at the cover price printed in front). They do not know that the real money comes from advertisements.
I want to say categorically and by the grace of God that for the past thirty one (31) years, I have done nothing else than publishing Oriwu Sun. Since I knew from inception that for any newspaper to survive, it must have enough adverts, I have religiously pursued this knowledge. It is for this reason many community newspapers in this environment and elsewhere have folded up.
As a graduate of Mass Communication for almost forty (40) years, I have found out that for me to be in business, I have to be aggressive in sourcing for adverts. Since I started Oriwu Sun, every month, I must think of where next to get the adverts for another edition of my paper.
This explains why everyone I meet (Governors, Local Government Chairmen, Company MD, Individuals), who asks me how he/she can help me, my response has always been, “Give me adverts for Oriwu Sun. I do not want contracts nor job; just give me advert if you believe in my paper, Oriwu Sun.”
By God’s grace and by my aggressiveness, I have been appreciated by many people in government and private sectors, who support me with adverts. I have only about five permanent journalism staff; the others are part time writers, but some people will look at us as a very big company because of the size and look of our corporate office. We chose to be a monthly publication not because of shortage of ideas to go daily or weekly, but to meet up with cost of production. When we get more than enough adverts, we can produce two editions in a month. So, our strategy is to break even with every production and not to run at a loss.
Today, with four principal officers of the newspaper: my able Deputy, Mr. Chuma Adichie, the dynamic Editor, Hadji Kazim Ganiu-Sanni, Kemi Arohunmolase, and myself, as well as other supportive staff, we have successfully produced this paper, which runs between 100 and 200 pages per edition. I am lucky that God gave me these dedicated staff, who have contributed immensely to the success of this project for the past thirty-one (31) years. Today, I am not wealthy but I am comfortable from no other business than this newspaper publishing.
Q: Why is it that you are crazy about cars? Why do you go about changing cars often?
A: Thanks for that question. I have always confessed that I really work very hard and it is my belief that somebody who works hard must enjoy hard too. Almost every day or every other day, I move from Ikorodu to Alausa and to other parts of the state hunting for stories and for adverts. I need sound cars, which will not be breaking down on the road or sending me to the mechanic workshop every time. That is why I have to have different cars and sell them off after a while to get newer ones.
I have not been to a mechanic workshop for repairs in the past five years except to service a car. Having many cars is not to show off but for me to get some comfort and reliability while on official assignments. A car breakdown for someone on an appointment or a definite time framed mission can be embarrassing and a big setback. A good car is also for relaxation after a hard day’s job.
Q: How much do you spend annually on your wardrobe?
A: As a Publisher, I have to dress well since you are addressed and assessed by the way you dress. If you don’t dress well, advertisers will look down on you. Personally, I like to look smart in nice shoes and choice wrist watches. Sometimes I appear in Agbada and Kaftan but not too expensive types. I don’t like anything that is so common neither do I go for anything too loud. I am a modest man by nature, preferring anything smart and good.
I have to compliment my wife at this point. Indeed, she is my mirror, telling me often what colour combinations I have to wear or what material will suit an outing most. Sometimes, she insists I will not go to my office or to an event with a particular dress and I concede to her wishes. I pass on the same standard to my office personnel, ensuring that they dress smartly and well to portray the company in good light to the public. I cannot really estimate how much I spend on my dressing annually. All I know is that I like to look modestly corporate.
Q: You have a controversial image with women. What is your true relationship with them?
A: Once a man is rated to be successful or okay, women are bound to be attracted to that man. If a man does not run after them, they will run after the man. Any man in business must appreciate women. Give them their due recognition; respect and work with them to promote your business. Women have roles to play and an entrepreneur must know how to succeed through the positive contributions of women.
If you shun women or fail to acknowledge their relevance, they can run you down.
In our profession, we need them to succeed, to get information, to get adverts and to do other things. You have to give them good reception, curry their favour and gain from them. I may have a lot of female friends but it does not mean that I go to bed with them. The perception that I like women too much is therefore wrong. I respect and treat women well so that they would be free to discuss with me issues relevant to my job.
I thank my wife for being an understanding type, for being accommodating and patient; otherwise, my marriage would have collapsed as a result of rumour, gossip, back-biting and false assumptions concerning me. I advise women and wives not to allow rumour peddlers to destroy their homes because you heard that your husband had girl friends outside. Rather, remain consistent, patient and prayerful for your husband. A man must know that in times of trouble, a girl friend will flee but your wife will stand by you.
Q: People say you are a workaholic. How true is this?
A: Yes it is true. I like to work hard. I always say that I work hard and enjoy hard, and I don’t have any other job than journalism. I know too well that if I don’t work very hard, I will have nothing to enjoy. That is why I spend twelve (12) hours every day in the office and eighteen (18) hours during production time. Through the grace of God, I have been able to maintain my health and my looks because I do not play with my medical checkups and my doctors’ advice.
Q: As a Muslim, it is forbidden for you to have extramarital affairs. You go to Makkah every year and promote NASFAT. Are you bribing God to atone for your sins or what?
A: I believe that religion is all about faith. It does not matter the number of times you go to church or to mosque. All humans are sinners but we have a God, who forgives us our sins depending on the state of our hearts. Each time I go to Makkah (this year will be my 20th edition), I do not go to see women or to shop for items but to appreciate God for His mercies, to thank Him and to ask for His mercy upon me. Each time I go inside the Kabbah (the grand mosque), I thank God for bringing me to the holy land. In the course of Tawaf (special prayer), I beg God for long life, for good health and for his provision for me, my family, my workers and my loved ones, and I promise Him that I will use whatever He gives me to promote the cause of Islam.
Just as Christians, who pay tithe, believe they can go to sleep and be assured that God will protect their resources, bless them the more and rebuke the devourer for their sake, so my Haj and my contributing to NASFAT’s growth are fulfilment of what I have promised Allah to use all He has given me to promote his work. It has nothing to do with women or with bribing God.
Q: How do you relate with your numerous siblings in the Olowosago family now that you are successful?
A: I thank God for letting me be a member of this family. Our father, the late Alhaji Lamidi Olowosago, who died in 1983, provided us (his children) with so much. We were sixteen (16) from his five wives, two of the children later died, leaving us fourteen (14) The way he brought us up, even though he had many wives, it was difficult not to believe that we were all from one wife. He brought us up as a single family.
Thirty three years since he died, we have remained united. We have not fought one another. He wrote a will before he died and we followed it to the letter. Till today, we co-operate, love each other, rally round and follow our leader, Wing Comdr. Adebukola Dawodu (rtd). She is called the iron lady. She is feared and respected by all; yet, she is a mother and a pleasant sister if one understands her. As strict as she is, she is a loving woman. I see her as a mother and a sister; hence, she is the last person I will like to offend.
I have brothers I am passionate about. They include Dr. Farusedeen Bayo Olowosago, a lecturer in Britain; Damilola, a senior civil servant in Lagos; Murphy (Moruf), an ex-banker now a consultant and developer. All four of us, in particular, are rallying points in the family to keep the dream of our late father alive. Our sisters (married) stand behind us to uphold the name, values and integrity of the family.
When we go to our family meetings and vote, the decisions are binding and accepted by all. Whatever Wing Commander, our leader, directs us to do, it is done. I am so happy to have brothers and sisters like the ones in Olowosago family. We are not envious of each other
Q: You talk about work, work and hard work. How then do you socialize and enjoy hard as you said?
A: I have good friends I relax with in our Oriwu Club House at weekends. I belong to Eko Club, Island Club, Peacock Club, Ikorodu Club but these days, because of age and because of the security situation in the country, I no longer go to Lagos at night as I used to in the past. Before, I could go to Lagos in the evening and come back midnight or early morning. I do not take such risks anymore.
I derive most of my pleasures now from Oriwu Club, where it took me three attempts before I was admitted as a member. Now, I seem to get all the fun I need from my fellow club members, and I am happier for it.