The beginning…
THISDAY is published by THISDAY Newspapers Limited. It hit newsstands on January 22, 1995 and quickly carved out a niche for itself in business and political reporting and for breaking big news stories. It soon became Nigeria’s newspaper of record.
In its first years of publication, THISDAY won the Newspaper of the Year Award for three consecutive years. In 1997 THISDAY also became the first Nigerian newspaper to introduce full colour printing. It now has printing plants in Lagos, Abuja and in the Niger Delta.
Where we are…
Today THISDAY remains the preferred newspaper among the business, political and diplomatic elite, and is easily the most recognisable and influential national media brand globally. It is also the corporate and political advertiser’s first choice. THISDAY is the only high profile newspaper that appeals to both young and old because of its straightforward news reporting, strong editorial content, lifestyle features and business coverage.
THISDAY breaks the news first: from the story of the first arrests over the 1995 coup which lead to the imprisonment of Olusegun Obasanjo and the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua; the death of Nigeria’s first president, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, which all other media missed; to the newspaper’s exclusive on the recovery of the Abacha billions and several more, day after day. In line with its avowed commitment to democracy, THISDAY was at the forefront of the battle against dictatorial military rule for which its reporters were invariably detained and harassed. The Chairman and Editor-in-Chief was detained in 1997 at the Department of Military Intelligence (DMI) for seven days under Abacha. The Chairman later went into self-exile.
For many Nigerians, if the news is not in THISDAY, then it is not credible.
THISDAY is an agent of change and innovation within the industry and many of its ‘firsts’ are serially copied by others, such as the back page sports with advertising and back page opinions, an all-gloss Sunday magazine and wraparounds.
Most recently, THISDAY launched ARISE, the global style and culture magazine. The debut issue was given away at THISDAY’s Africa Rising concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall in October 2008 and was so well received that the second issue officially launched on newsstands in February 2009. It is now sold in several countries around the world.
The company’s major events centre, the THISDAY DOME in Abuja’s Central Business District, is where the annual THISDAY Awards for Excellence are held and also plays host to several events for the Nigerian society and intelligencia.
The THISDAY Annual Awards for Excellence has attracted several world leaders and statesmen including former US Presidents, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, former Mexican President, Vicente Fox and former UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan. It has also hosted the former United Kingdom Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown along with former Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard. Former US Secretaries of State Condoleezza Rice, Henry Kissinger and General Colin Powell have also participated along with other international dignitaries including the former German Chancellor, Gerhard Schroeder, the former Prime Minister of France, Dominique de Villepin, former Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern and Harvard Professor Larry Summers, a former Economic Adviser to President Obama, former World Bank President James Wolfhensoln and Steve Forbes, the publisher of Forbes magazine. Other keynote speakers have included prominent Washington insiders and analysts, like Andrew Card, William Kristol, Karl Rove, Paul Begala, Howard Dean, Donna Brazille, and Paula Zahn.
Through its publications, business events, cultural showcases and festivals, THISDAY is a player on the global stage by bringing the world to Nigeria and taking Nigeria to the world.
Where we are headed…
THISDAY believes in its editorial values and is fast becoming a global media player pursuing, with vigour its vision of the world seen from an African perspective.
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Nduka Obaigbena
Chairman / Chief Executive Officer / Editor-in-Chief
THISDAY Editor-in-Chief and Chairman Nduka Obaigbena, attended the prestigious Edo College, Benin City, and the University of Benin where he took an honours degree in Creative Arts. He has since attended several professional and management courses in Nigeria, the United Kingdom and the United States. He also attended the Graduate School of Business at the University of Witswatersrand and the University of Cape Town, South Africa for an Advanced Management programme. Obaigbena started his journalism career at the Nigerian Observer in 1978 as a satirist, writer and cartoonist, and later became co-ordinating Editor of The Dawn monthly magazine. He later left for the UK where he worked with advertising agency NAL even while he was a media specialist consultant with Michael Jarvis and Partners. He had a brief stint with Newsweek Magazine in 1984 as a Special Section Representative before moving over the same year to TIME Magazine where he helped develop Special Surveys and Country Sections. He was later appointed TIME Magazine Representative for English-speaking sub-Saharan Africa. He developed several Country Sections for TIME Magazine in Nigeria, Kenya, Morocco and Zimbabwe during this time. He became founding Editor-in-Chief of THISWEEK magazine in 1987 and in 1991 ran for the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. In 1994, he was elected a member of the Constitutional Conference, which drafted the current Nigerian Constitution. He began the publication of THISDAY Newspapers in 1995. In 1990, Obaigbena played a crucial role in events leading up to the privatisation of the Nigerian National Shipping Lines, and the commercialisation of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (including the Voice of Nigeria, VON). He was appointed a member of the Delta State Government Think -Tank that wrote the blueprint for the economic revitalisation of Delta State (The Niger Delta) where most of Nigeria’s oil is produced. He was Convener of the Nigeria Investment Summit along with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (Programme of Seminars) in 1997 and 1999 in Washington, DC. Obaigbena has been a keynote speaker at several national and international fora, including the World Bank and IMF-sponsored Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper Conferences in Dakar, Senegal and Washington DC. In 2002, he was appointed Chairman of Cross Debts Sub-Committee on 20 Federal Government agencies being prepared for privatisation, including the National Power Company, Nigerian Electric Power Authority, Benue Cement Company, Gboko, Sokoto Cement Company and the Nigerian Cement Company, Nkalagu among several others. He then worked with the main committee in creating a Cross Debt Matrix for all Federal Government agencies, including the National Oil Company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and several oil majors. He was also a member of the Ministerial Committee on Aviation. He has founded several cultural initiatives around the world including the THISDAY Music and Fashion Festival, now in its 4th year, The African Fashion Collective of the New York Fashion Week, as well as in London, Paris and Milan Fashion Week. He recently founded ARISE Magazine, an African culture and style magazine, sold in 150 countries. The magazine has just hosted The ARISE AFRICA FASHION week in Johannesburg, South Africa. Obaigbena is also founder of THISDAY Awards now in its 15th year, showcasing the best and the brightest of corporate Nigeria, while promoting good governance. In 2007, he hosted a ‘Nigeria Meets the World’ summit in New York with several governmental leaders including President Umaru Musa Yar’adua meeting with opinion leaders from around the world. A highly respected media mogul, Obaigbena was co-chair of Africa Media Leaders Summit in Dakar, Senegal last year and is a member of the Nominating Committee of the Young Global Leaders Forum in Davos, Switzerland where he regularly attends and moderates sessions with world leaders for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland; Dalian, China; and Cape Town, South Africa. He serves on several international boards and committees including The Cecelia Attias Foundation for Women founded by the former first lady of France to assist women foundations around the world. Obaigbena is chairman of THISDAY Group and Publisher of ARISE Magazine. He is also publisher of AFRICAN MARKETS magazine – an IMF/WORLD BANK Annual Meetings publication. He is a collector of fine art and a public affairs commentator.
ENIOLA BELLO
Managing Director / Chief Operating Officer
Eniola Bello who joined THISDAY in April 1995, shortly after it was founded, became Managing Director in November 2005, after having edited all the titles in the publication, the first to so do. In over 30 years in the media industry, Bello has had varied experiences as a reporter, writer and editor in major national newspapers and magazines. He’s popularly known as ENI-B after a column of the same name.
Born July 21, 1964, in Ayetoro Gbede, Kogi State, Bello read English and Journalism. He is an English graduate of the University of Ilorin, followed by PGD Journalism at Times Journalism Institute, Lagos and a Master’s in English Language at the University of Lagos.
Bello has also attended the Executive Education programmes of Alliance Manchester Business School (Strategic Leadership in Turbulent Times), University of Manchester, United Kingdom; Cambridge Judge Business School (Advanced Leadership Programme), University of Cambridge, United Kingdom; the Stanford Graduate School of Business (Finance for Non-Financial Executives), Stanford University, San Francisco, United States; and Print Media Academy, Summer University, Heidelberg, Germany.
A Fellow of the Foreign Press Centre, Tokyo Japan, he is a member of the International Press Institute (IPI) and a Board member of Nigeria chapter; Fellow, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) among others, and a Media Leader, 2015 World Economic Forum, Davos. He has participated in several local and international conferences on media, communications, business management and leadership.
KAYODE KOMOLAFE
Deputy Managing Director
Kayode Komolafe joined THISDAY in 2001 as a member of the Editorial Board, having practised journalism at The Guardian, The News and Concord. A graduate of the University of Calabar, he also attended the International Institute of Journalism in Berlin. In the course of a career, Komolafe has participated in numerous international conferences on journalism, labour, democracy and development. He also attended a Leadership and Simulation programme at J. Mac Robinson College of Business, Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, of which he was a member of the National Executive Council, and the Nigerian Guild of Editors. He writes a column, The Horizon, with leftist convictions.
EDITORIAL LEADERSHIP
IJEOMA NWOGWUGWU
Editor/Divisional Director
Ms Nwogwugwu was able to bring two decades of valuable experience to her job as Editor of THISDAY. Her background embraces the private and public sectors as a banker, financial analyst, business strategist, and journalist. In addition to her degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos, she has a post-graduate diploma in International Housing Finance from the Wharton Business School, Pennsylvania, USA. She has also attended several management and professional training programmes in Nigeria, Europe and the United States. She is a member of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Nigerian Guild of Editors, and has sat on the board of the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company, Daily Times of Nigeria Plc and the National Hospital Abuja. Ms Nwogwugwu is an avid music and literary enthusiast.
TOKUNBO ADEDOJA
Editor, THISDAY, The Sunday Newspaper
Adedoja has over 15years experience in Journalism. He began his career in journalism in THISDAY where he did his NYSC programme. Tokunbo was at various times a parliamentary correspondent covering the Senate and later the House of Representatives; Plateau State Correspondent; Government House Correspondent, Lagos; Assistant Political Editor; Deputy Political Editor; Deputy News Editor; Group News Editor; New York Bureau Chief and United Nations Correspondent in New York. He was also Editor, Nation’s Capital, and Editor, The Saturday paper. Adedoja was part of the pioneer team that repackaged THISDAY, The Sunday paper.
He has covered several important events including Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) in Japan, World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington DC, United Nations High level meetings in New York, the historic signing ceremony of the Nigeria-US Binational Commission Agreement in Washington DC, Power-Gen Summit in Las Vegas, Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC, handing over ceremony of NNS Thunder to the Nigerian Navy by the US government in Alamedo, several Nigerian trade and energy summits, including roadshows in US, the inauguration of President Barack Obama, and meetings between President Goodluck Jonathan and President Obama at the White House.
Adedoja attended Cherubim and Seraphim College Ilorin and graduated from University of Ilorin, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science. He obtained a certificate from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, and Lagos Business School, Pan African University. He also holds a Diploma from Kwara State Polytechnic. Adedoja loves traveling and swimming.
SHAKA MOMODU
Editor, THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper
Shaka Momodu, editor of THISDAY, The Saturday Newspaper, brings into the job an experience that spans over 15 years. He had risen through the ranks to become associate editor of the Saturday Newspaper before his appointment.
Born March 12, 1968, Shaka attended Okotie Eboh Grammar School, Sapele between 1982 and 1986 before proceeding to one of the nation’s foremost state universities, the Edo State University, Ekpoma between 1992 and 1996. He joined THISDAY as a reporter in 2000 and a year later was promoted senior reporter. In 2003, he was promoted a correspondent and was posted to Governor’s Office, Alausa, Ikeja Lagos as the state correspondent.
He left the post in 2006 when he was promoted deputy editor of The Glitterati, a lifestyle pull-out inside the Sunday Newspaper. He was later appointed associate editor of the Saturday Newspaper; a position he held until his appointment as the substantive Editor of the newspaper.
An experienced journalist with almost a decade and half cognate professional experience, Momodu has extensive contacts within the nation’s business and political communities. He has interviewed many political leaders including governors, legislators and top notch CEOs.. Momodu has anchored many investigative stories, profiled and interviewed over 150 top business leaders for the Saturday Newspaper.
He has attended many international seminars, conferences and trainings within and outside the country.
RUTH OSIME
Editor STYLE Magazine
Ruth Osime joined THISDAY Newspapers as Project Manager. In 2003 she moved to the Saturday Desk as the Style Editor while she wrote her hugely popular column, ‘Truth by Ruth’ for the Sunday Newspaper. In 2005 a newly packaged Sunday paper was launched with a 24-page Style glossy pullout. Today it has become the ‘fashion and society bible’. Fondly called the ‘his and hers’ Sunday edition, Style is one of the most widely read colour supplements in Nigeria.
BUSINESS LEADERSHIP
ISRAEL IWEGBU
Group Executive Director
Is
rael Iwegbu joined THISDAY at inception in 1995, and, is presently Group Executive Director. He was at various times the Newspapers’ Circulation/Sales Manager; General Manager, Operations; Associate Director and Divisional Director, Advertising and Sales. Israel was appointed Divisional Director, Operations in 2006.
Iwegbu is an alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and holds a B.Sc. degree in Political Science. He has attended several Management and Professional Courses in Nigeria, South Africa and United States of America. Iwegbu, a hockey enthusiast, is married with children.
EMMANUEL EFENI
Director Operations
Emmanuel Efeni joined THISDAY as Assistant Editor in 1996, where he has over the years, distinguished himself across the newspaper title. He has at various times worked as Features Editor, Deputy Editor, Editor of THISDAY, The Sunday Newspaper and The Saturday Newspaper, Editor, e-Publishing (later promoted to the position of Associate Director). Efeni was promoted onto the Editorial Board, swiftly becoming THISDAY’s Director of Operations, Director of Newspaper Sales & Distribution and Director of Administration & Human Resources. A graduate of the University of Calabar, in Cross River State, Nigeria, Efeni began his journalism career at The Guardian in 1991. He has attended several professional and management training courses in Nigeria and abroad including the Executive Management programme of the prestigious Howard University Graduate School of Business, Washington, DC. A fellow of The Leadership Institute, Arlington, Virginia, USA, he is also a member of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Nigeria Guild of Editors. Efeni is married with children.
PETER IWEGBU
Associate Director, Finance
Peter Iwegbu graduated with BSc in Accounting from the University of Lagos, and a Masters In Business Administration majoring in Finance from the Lagos State University. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1989 and was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ACA) in 1990. He worked with various other companies before joining THISDAY as Internal Auditor in 1995. His career spans over 20 years and he has attended many courses both locally and Internationally. He is married with children.
GLOBAL LEADERSHIP
GETENESH GIZAW
International Vice President
GETENESH “GETTY” GIZAW has built a career from her passion for promoting Africa to the global markets. As International Vice President of THISDAY/Leaders & Company Ltd, she manages a multi-million dollar budget and oversees global operations, marketing and sales, event productions, talent management, brand, strategic development and partnerships. Gizaw’s many high-visibility projects and assignments have taken her across the world on behalf of the company as she oversees the production of the company’s events across 3 continents.
Gizaw began her career independently, founding her firm, G2 Media, Inc., ten years ago. G2 has provided global strategic marketing, management, public relations and event production services to clients as varied as Clear Channel, the U.S.’s largest radio conglomerate, the United Nations, the South African Broadcasting Corporation and other corporations and nongovernmental organizations as well as celebrities, restaurant groups and various national tourism authorities in Africa and the Caribbean. A native of Ethiopia, Gizaw graduated magna cum laude from Long Island University and from Harvard Business School.
THISDAYLIVE ONLINE GROUP
DANBOYI VICTOR OJOGUN
Technical Director
Danboyi Victor Ojogun is the Technical Director, e-Business and Head of ICT. Ojogun joined THISDAY in August 21, 2001 as an IT Trainee and was immediately drafted as a Network Administrator. He was promoted to the position of Head of IT after two years. He obtained his Bachelor of Technology (Physics with Computer Science) from the Federal University of Technology, Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. He has attended various professional and management courses as well as intensive in-house training. Ojogun was a key member of the team that developed and built the thisdayonline.com website. He has assembled formidable IT team and created various files transfer models to support THISDAY’s use of satellite – enabled network for simultaneous printing from various locations across Nigeria.
FRED OJEH
Webmaster
Fred Ojeh is a graduate of Computer Science from the prestigious Yaba College of Technology (Yaba Tech), Lagos State. He joined THISDAY Newspaper in 2004 as a Webmaster and ever since has undergone intensive in-house training and also attended several professional and management courses at The Pan-African University, The International Council of eCommerce Consultants (EC-Council) and several other institutions. He was also a member of the team that developed and built the thisdayonline.com website. Ojeh is happily married with children..
