DELTA GOVT SALUTES SAM OMATSEYE ON HIS NEW BOOK

Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. (Elder) Sheriff Oborevwori has congratulated one of Nigeria’s most decorated Columnists, Serial Author, and Chairman, Editorial Board of The Nation Newspapers, Mr. Sam Omatseye, on the launch of his new book: “Beating All Odds: How Bola Tinubu became President.”

Oborevwori said Sam Omatseye undoubtedly remained 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 the State Commissioner for Information , Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza.

Also on the Governor’s delegation were the Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads), Mr. Charles Aniagwu, and a veteran Journalist, former Editor of Vanguard Newspapers and Publisher of TheNews Guru.com, TNG, Mideno Bayagbon.

The event had in attendance important dignitaries, including the Vice-President of Nigeria, Alhaji Kashim Shettima; former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, who was Chairman of the book launch, former Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori; former Governor of Lagos State, Babatunde Fashola (SAN); 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 provided insight into the travails and turbulent struggle on how Tinubu became President. The former Ogun State Governor said a Journalist-turned author deserved 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 two-part book 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 was an epitome of destiny which nobody could stop.

Goodwill messages were delivered byTunji Bello, Azu Ishiekwene, Alex Kabba, and Charles Aniagwu, while the book was reviewed by another veteran, Louis Odion.

In his speech entitled, “Sam Omatseye: A Journey to Unearth Truth in the Depths of History” Vice-President Kashim Shettima said whoever possessed the power to craft words into memorable sentences was 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”..