An Eventful Career

Raymond Ekpu has been in public limelight for almost half a century doing what he does best—writing informative and educative essays. His initial worldview was shaped in the South south area of Nigeria. Born in Ukanafun, Akwa Ibom State, he was educated at Ibibio State College, Ikot Ekpene, 1960-1964; Holy Family College, Abak, 1966-1968. Thereafter he came to Lagos in 1970 to the University of Lagos to study mass communication. After graduating in 1973 and completing his national youth service in Sokoto, he went back to the South south and joined Nigerian Chronicle as features editor, 1974-1976. He was later appointed acting editor, Sunday Chronicle, 1976-1977; editor Nigerian Chronicle, Calabar, 1977-1980. In between he earned a master’s degree from Indiana State University, Bloomington, USA in 1977.

Ekpu was editor Sunday Times, 1980-1982; editor, Business Times, 1982; chairman, editorial board of Concord Newspapers, 1982-1984. He later teamed up with his friends, Dan Agbese, late Dele Giwa, and Yakubu Mohammed to establish Newswatch Communications Limited, 1985 where he was the pioneer deputy editor-in-chief and deputy chief executive, Newswatch, 1985-1986. Following Giwa’s murder, he served as editor-in-chief/chief executive, 1986-1993 at a most troubling period in the history of not only his company but that of the profession of journalism. Not only was Giwa killed, Newswatch was also shut down by an increasingly intolerant administration that was afraid of its shadows.

In his journey through all these institutions, Ekpu suffered indignity in the hands of state agents. He was detained and prosecuted for moves to widen the public space for free flow of information. At the last count, he had kept the company of state agents, usually in mosquito-infested rooms, on six occasions. In January 1983, his prophetic warning that a high-rise public should be secured against possible arson by corrupt people who may want to destroy valuable documents earned him arrest and prosecution when that warning proved prophetic. To the police, Ekpu was accessory to the crime before the incident. 

Ekpu later served as president of the Newspapers Proprietors Association of Nigeria, NPAN. Following a misadventure, he and his colleagues had to bow out of Newswatch. Whilst the struggle to right whatever wrongs were committed in consuming that deal goes on in court, Ekpu has reinvented his practice of journalism, presiding over MayFive Ltd, jointly owned with some of ex Newswatch colleagues whilst also keeping a well followed column in the Guardian.

The DAME Board of Trustees is happy to honour Mr. Ray Ekpu with the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award for his admirable contributions to the development of the Nigerian media in Print Journalism, for his elevation of the craft of informed commentary and for his sacrifices and courage in the face of great odds. The Trustees acknowledge his lifelong devotion to advancing the frontiers of knowledge and strengthening the media as a pillar of democracy. Through him many journalists and administrators have been produced who are today holding important positions in various media institutions worldwide. He can indeed beat his chest and say: Well beyond the rustic setting of Ukanafun, Akwa Ibom State I have paid my dues.