The grandfather of Nigerian journalism

Alhaji Ismail Babatunde Jose OFR was a Nigerian journalist and newspaper editor. He was described by The Guardian as the “legendary doyen of Nigerian journalism” and as “one of Nigeria’s most significant media figures”; by The Independent as the “newspaper editor who dominated journalism in Nigeria for three decades” and as “the mighty tree whose seedlings sprouted other titans of the profession”; and by the British Broadcasting Corporation as “the grandfather of Nigerian journalism”.

BACKGROUND

Jose was born to the family of Hamzat and Hajarat Jose, his father was a trader, originally from Ikare in Ondo State, who had moved to Lagos, and his mother was of Nupe ancestry. His paternal grandfather was Braimoh Jose, once the Seriki Musulmi of Calabar. Babatunde Jose received his education at Lagos Government School, Yaba, Lagos, Methodist School, Yaba and St Saviour’s College. 

Jose started his career at Nnamdi Azikiwe’s Daily Comet, before becoming a trainee at the Daily Times in 1941 at the age of 16. He was transferred to the editorial department as a junior reporter in 1946 and then worked as a Times correspondent in the Eastern region and Northern region. In 1947, the Daily Mirror group bought majority shares in Daily Times.

From 1948 to 1950, he was a political and industrial correspondent for the Times and in 1950, he became the news editor. He worked for several papers (including the Daily Mirror in Fleet Street in London for a year in 1951), then returned to the Daily Times where he was made the assistant editor in 1952. 

On December 13, 1957, he was appointed the editor before becoming a board member in September 1958. Nigeria became independent in 1960, and Jose benefited from a policy of Africanisation: he “was appointed the company’s first African managing director in 1962, becoming chairman as well in 1968”. Over the following years, the Daily Times became Nigeria’s best-selling newspaper. In 1965, he was awarded the title Officer of the Federal Republic. 

“Keen on educated journalists,” Jose “went out of his way to set up a training school and to employ graduates”. According to The Independent, he shaped his trainees and graduates “into irreverent reporters and columnists who could deflate the egos of the pompous politicians and military men who ruled the country”, though he “eschewed partisan politics”.

One of his trainees, Segun Osoba, later Governor of Ogun State, said of him that he “encouraged intellectualism in Nigerian journalism” and “produced an array of highly successful journalists many of whom have also gone on to establish their own newspapers and produce many other journalists”. 

Following a coup in 1975 by General Murtala Mohammed, the Daily Times was forced to sell 60% of its shares to the government, and Jose was “eased out”, departing a year later. The newspaper subsequently declined. 

From 1976 onwards, he pursued a career as “a businessman and media guru, holding such positions as chairman of the Nigerian Television Authority”. He also served as “president of the Ahmadiyya Islamic movement and on many committees and industry organizations”. 

Though he never graduated from a university, he was awarded an honorary doctorate of law by the University of Benin. “Unusually for a Muslim, he [also] received the Pope Pius medal for fostering religious understanding.”  

In 1987, he published his autobiography, Walking a Tight Rope. 


At Nigerian Books of Record, we keep track of record breakers, impact makers, and change agents. We aim to document, celebrate, and honor the remarkable achievements and excellent records of people.

By honoring new generations of game-changers and sharing their authentic stories, we aim to break boundaries, entertain, inspire, and inform the world.

Books of Record will always strive to encourage, find, and share the uniqueness in every achiever who has distinguished themselves through hard work in every professional calling of life.

Always visit this platform for the latest updates on any of our inductions. Send us an email for suggestions on how we can serve you better or suggestions on the next NBR Hall of Famer.

Advertise with us here.

Please, follow Nigerian Books of Record on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

123 Comments

  1. When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a remark is extra I get four emails with the identical comment. Is there any way you are able to take away me from that service? Thanks!

  2. You made some really good points there. I looked on the internet for more information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.

  3. Having read this I believed it was very enlightening. I appreciate you finding the time and effort to put this information together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  4. I really love your blog.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my own website and want to know where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Kudos!

  5. Hi there are using WordPress for your site platform? I’m new to the blog world but I’m trying to get started and create my own. Do you require any html coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!

  6. There are actually a lot of particulars like that to take into consideration. That could be a nice level to deliver up. I supply the thoughts above as general inspiration but clearly there are questions just like the one you bring up the place a very powerful factor will likely be working in honest good faith. I don?t know if best practices have emerged round issues like that, however I am sure that your job is clearly identified as a fair game. Each girls and boys really feel the impact of just a moment’s pleasure, for the rest of their lives.

  7. You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I’ve truly read through a single thing like that before. So wonderful to find somebody with a few genuine thoughts on this subject. Really.. many thanks for starting this up. This site is something that is required on the internet, someone with a little originality.

  8. Having read this I thought it was rather enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself spending way too much time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worth it!

  9. I would like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I really hope to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own website now 😉

  10. Thanks for the good critique. Me & my neighbor were just preparing to do some research on this. We got a book from our area library but I think I’ve learned more from this post. I’m very glad to see such excellent information being shared freely out there..

  11. Its such as you read my thoughts! You seem to know a lot approximately this, such as you wrote the guide in it or something. I feel that you just could do with a few percent to drive the message home a little bit, but other than that, that is excellent blog. A fantastic read. I will definitely be back.

  12. Optimal fella toasts will need to enliven and provides exclusive chance in your lovely couple. Very first time presenters watching noisy crowd must always be mindful of generally crucial guideline with turn out to be, which is to be your particular own. best man speeches funny

  13. I’m impressed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s both equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy I stumbled across this in my hunt for something concerning this.

  14. Howdy! This post could not be written any better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I’ll send this post to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. Thanks for sharing!

  15. Having read this I believed it was extremely informative. I appreciate you taking the time and energy to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a lot of time both reading and posting comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile!

  16. So of all the apps you mentioned, which one would you say is the best? I see a lot of tweets coming from tweetdeck, do you think that one is worth downloading? I just joined twitter a few weeks ago, andlove finding the best ways to utilize it, so thank you for this list.

  17. I’m also writing to let you be aware of of the wonderful experience my cousin’s daughter experienced reading your web site. She noticed too many details, most notably what it’s like to have an awesome helping spirit to get a number of people without hassle fully understand several impossible issues. You actually exceeded my expected results. Many thanks for delivering such effective, safe, informative not to mention cool thoughts on that topic to Kate.

  18. Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this blog. It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s tough to get that “perfect balance” between usability and visual appeal. I must say you’ve done a excellent job with this. Also, the blog loads super fast for me on Chrome. Outstanding Blog!

  19. Many thanks for creating the effort to discuss this, I feel strongly about this and love learning a great deal more on this topic. If possible, as you gain knowledge, would you mind updating your webpage with a great deal more information? It’s very beneficial for me.

  20. Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything such as this prior to. So nice to seek out somebody by incorporating original thoughts on this subject. realy we appreciate you starting this up. this excellent website is one area that is required over the internet, a person with a bit of originality. valuable work for bringing new things to the world wide web!

  21. Howdy! This article could not be written much better! Looking at this post reminds me of my previous roommate! He always kept talking about this. I’ll send this article to him. Fairly certain he will have a good read. I appreciate you for sharing!

  22. Thank you for another informative website. Where else may I get that kind of info written in such a perfect approach? I’ve a challenge that I am just now operating on, and I have been on the glance out for such information.

  23. I just could not depart your site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the usual info an individual provide to your visitors? Is gonna be back incessantly in order to investigate cross-check new posts.

  24. After study a few of the blog posts with your site now, we truly such as your method of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark site list and will be checking back soon. Pls look into my website likewise and told me what you believe.

  25. I just couldn’t depart your site prior to suggesting that I extremely enjoyed the standard information an individual provide for your visitors? Is gonna be back frequently in order to inspect new posts

  26. Can I simply just say what a comfort to uncover somebody who genuinely knows what they are talking about on the internet. You definitely know how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people must check this out and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you’re not more popular because you definitely possess the gift.

  27. I blog quite often and I seriously thank you for your content. Your article has truly peaked my interest. I’m going to book mark your website and keep checking for new information about once per week. I opted in for your RSS feed as well.

  28. Was required to give you that not much remark to appreciate it just as before for these spectacular techniques you’ve got provided on this page. It’s so particularly generous with normal folks that you to provide unreservedly what many people would have marketed as a possible e-book to earn some dough for their own end, primarily considering that you may have tried it if you wanted. The tactics also acted being fantastic way to know that everyone’s similar desire equally as my to understand significantly more regarding this condition. I’m sure there are many more pleasing opportunities at the start if you go through your blog post post.

  29. May I simply say what a relief to uncover somebody who genuinely understands what they’re talking about over the internet. You actually understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people should look at this and understand this side of the story. I was surprised you are not more popular given that you surely have the gift.

  30. Greetings, I believe your site could be having web browser compatibility problems. When I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it has some overlapping issues. I merely wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, wonderful website.

  31. A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I think that you need to publish more on this topic, it may not be a taboo matter but generally people do not talk about these issues. To the next! Cheers.

  32. I blog quite often and I seriously thank you for your information. This article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to book mark your website and keep checking for new information about once per week. I subscribed to your RSS feed too.

  33. I truly love your site.. Very nice colors & theme. Did you create this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my own website and want to learn where you got this from or exactly what the theme is named. Thank you.

  34. Hi, I do believe this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may return once again since i have book marked it. Money and freedom is the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others.

  35. Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It’s always exciting to read content from other authors and practice a little something from other websites.

  36. Howdy, I do believe your site may be having internet browser compatibility issues. When I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine but when opening in Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Besides that, fantastic site.

  37. Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you spending some time and energy to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and leaving comments. But so what, it was still worthwhile.

  38. I have to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this site. I really hope to check out the same high-grade content by you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my own site now 😉

  39. Hello there! This post could not be written much better! Going through this article reminds me of my previous roommate! He constantly kept talking about this. I’ll forward this post to him. Pretty sure he’s going to have a very good read. Thank you for sharing!

  40. I absolutely love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this website yourself? Please reply back as I’m planning to create my very own site and would like to know where you got this from or just what the theme is named. Cheers!

  41. sugar defender ingredients Finding Sugar Protector has actually been a game-changer for me,
    as I’ve always been vigilant concerning handling my blood glucose levels.
    With this supplement, I feel encouraged to organize my health and wellness, and my newest clinical check-ups have mirrored
    a significant turnaround. Having a credible ally in my
    corner gives me with a complacency and confidence, and I’m deeply appreciative for the extensive difference Sugar
    Protector has actually made in my well-being.

  42. Hi there! Do you know if they make any plugins to assist with Search Engine Optimization? I’m trying to get my website to rank for some targeted keywords but I’m not seeing very
    good success. If you know of any please share.
    Kudos! I saw similar text here: Eco wool

  43. I like how well-written and informative your content is. You have actually given us, your readers, brilliant information and not just filled up your blog with flowery texts like many blogs today do. If you visit my website 67U about Airport Transfer, I’m sure you can also find something for yourself.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*