Delta State governor, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori has congratulated Mr. Sam Omatseye, author and chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, on the launch of his new book: “Beating All Odds: How Bola Tinubu became President.”
Oborevwori said Sam Omatseye is without doubt, Nigeria’s most engaging and consistent chronicler of Nigeria’s national experiences, “capturing with every offering, the essence and impact of the country’s individual vicissitudes and existential ethos.
“We encourage other journalists and writers to take up the challenge of writing similar books as their contributions to the Library of Thought and Information on our growing democracy.
“We salute this great son of Delta State on the launch of his latest book, applaud him for the national and global recognition he has brought to our dear State, and wish him success in all his endeavours.”.
The governor who spoke on Tuesday in Abuja during the formal launch of the book was represented by Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, the state’s commissioner for Information.
Also on the governor’s delegation are Charles Ehiedu Aniagwu, commissioner for Works (Rural), and a veteran journalist, Mideno Bayagbon, a former editor of Vanguard Newspapers and publisher of TheNews Guru.com, TNG.
The event had in attendance important dignitaries including Alhaji Kashim Shetima, Vice President of Nigeria, former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba who was chairman of the book launch, Chief James Onanefe Ibori, former governor of Delta State, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, former governor of Lagos State and erstwhile Minister of Works, Senator Adams Oshiomhole and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike among others.
In his opening remarks, Osoba said the book was written by an important journalist on an important man, Tinubu.
He noted that the book provides insight into the travails and turbulent struggle on how Tinubu became president. The former Ogun State governor said a journalist who becomes an author deserves to be celebrated.
The author, Sam Omatseye revealed that the inspiration for the book came through a compilation of events and diaries on the 2023 Presidential election.
Omatseye informed his audience that the book, which is in two parts started with taking notes before the presidential campaigns, and when there was a storm and the fight over naira, fuel, and events leading up to the presidential primaries culminating in the eventual emergence of President Bola Tinubu. According to him, the book was to put in context all that happened at the time, adding that it is as an epitome of destiny which nobody could stop.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Tunji Bello, Azu Ishiekwene, Alex Kabba, and Charles Aniagwu while the book was reviewed by another veteran, Louis Odion.
In his speech titled, “Sam Omatseye: A Journey to Unearth Truth in the Depths of History” Vice President Kashim Shetima said whoever possesses the power to craft words into memorable sentences is an army of one, especially when they see the world through three dimensions.
He described Omatseye as a soldier who embodies the qualities of a rare wordsmith who stands as a courageous sentinel for Nigeria’s history.
The vice president observed that Omatseye “transcends the omission of those who shy away from truth in the most uncomfortable places and in the scariest of circumstances. Therefore, he is both a hero of the people and an intellectual” who should be celebrated.
