On October 19, 1986, the bluish sky turned black, the relatives of Dele Giwa erupted in agony; his friends and well-wishers were rendered dumb and they couldn’t fathom the pathetic and the ugly incident.
The cock refused to crow; the dog hesitated to bark; journalists were, dubitably, overpowered by anxiety. Indeed, Giwa’s demise was a mournful one.
Everyone is an immortal, he may know well that he is going to die, but he can never know when to die — Apology to Samuel Butler. Naturally, we believe death is inevitable and it usually comes unexpectedly but what do sadden the heart of an individual is death to be caused by man.
Dele Giwa was a doyen of journalism, a fearless pen pusher, an independent columnist who abhored illicit or corrupt practices, this could be why his death came untimely.
Journalism is one of the perilous professions which tons of youths are shirking. Journalists are the watchdogs of the society; they are primarily charged with the responsibility of updating people on what happens and what’s ongoing in the country.
Dele Giwa was killed cold-bloodedly at the unripe age of 39 by a parcel bomb during the stint of Major General Ibrahim Babangida as Nigeria’s military president at his residence 25 Talabi Street, Ikeja, Lagos in 1986 but his bequest still remains sparkling.
The question still begging earnestly for answer is who killed Dele Giwa?
May his soul rest in peace.
Olayode Inaolaji,
Ogbomoso, Oyo state.
[email protected]
