Everest Chukwudi Amaefule
Yesterday, I attended the wake of a sister, friend, and colleague, Ngozi Sam-Oboh, at The Chapel of Light, The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Area 1, Abuja. It was an emotional time for me. I could hardly withhold tears. Ngozi was a jolly good fellow, full of laughter and selflessness.
As journalists, Ngozi and I collaborated quite often. I remember vividly, November 23, 2009. It was in the night, Ngozi called me and told me that she had attended a meeting hosted by the then Minister of Information. The ambassador of Venezuela, who was a guest of the minister, advised the Nigerian government to look inwards and take control of its oil industry. The ambassador, Mr. Enrique Arrundell, asked the Federal Government not to hand over its economy to foreigners in the guise of deregulation.
It was a time of another round of fuel price increase. The government had touted that Nigeria was about the cheapest place on earth to buy fuel. However, the Venezuelan ambassador disclosed at the meeting that while it took him about N400 to fill his tank in Venezuela, he paid N12,000 to do the same in Nigeria.
The minister knew the implication of the story and had begged all the journalists present not to go ahead with it.
“Please, send me the transcript,” I told Ngozi. She worked for NEXT while I worked for The PUNCH. “We must use the story. Let the people have alternative viewpoint. It is about the people, not the government,” I added. That was how we agreed to use use the story. Quickly, Ngozi sent me a transcript with a lot of integrity. Of course, I knew when I had a good story in my hands.
The next thing was to make it a good copy. The following day, it was the major story in town. For the next two weeks, columnists feasted on the story. Thanks, Ngoo, for serving your nation very well.
Ngozi also covered Abuja Area Councils which took her to the nooks and crannies of the Federal Capital Territory. One day, she told me about one rural community, Kabi Kasa, very deprived! The most prevalent sickness in that village, malaria, was said to come from the water, Ruwa Peri, they drank from.
“Oh, take me to that community.” Again, Ngozi obliged. We spent an entire day on that community. It was equally costly, financially. When we came back, I did one of my best feature pieces on that community. Thanks, Ngoo, for serving your nation very well.
The testimonies at Chapel of Light last night were heart warming. However, I didn’t really need them to know whom you were. Good Night, Ngoo!
From the entire Management and Staff of Weekenders Magazine, we sympathize with your family and last place of work. You were a dear sister to me. RIP Mrs Ngozi Sam- Oboh.