The Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian, Emeka Izeze, in an interview with ADEOLA AKIODE speaks on the times and impact of the late newspaper publisher, Chief Alex Ibru.How will you describe Chief Alex Ibru'He was a great man, who contributed immensely in shaping the countrys media industry, and setting the standard for the industry with the publication of high quality newspapers. He saw potential and he utilised potential. Not many people can utilise potential to achieve their dreams, but he did that. He saw people who had potential, he wanted to set up a big institution and he used all the potential that he saw in all the people that he could find. That is how people like me came in here and stayed here and rose to this level.What is your perception of him'I dont know which words can best capture that, but I think in a word, he was a great man, because it is only a great man that can have a newspaper and refuse to use the newspaper for his own selfish ends. It is only a great man who can set up a newspaper and say, I dont want to have my picture published in the newspaper, and called the newspaper the voice of the people. It is only a great man who will see a professional and allow the professional to operate as a professional. Everybody that passed through The Guardian can testify to that. When you lose a man like that, then you have lost a major part of your own history. He wasnt just any other publisher, he was a passionate man.How did he relate with his staff'He was friendly with everyone. If he passes by you, whether you greet him or not, it doesnt make any difference to him; he did not care. In fact, some of the people he was closest to within this premises, were the carpenters, plumbers, who have worked for him over time. He would say, These are my people. That is a man with a long memory.What impact has he made on your life'I would say that without him, I would not have actualised my dream and I learnt what it meant to be devoted to your objective than your own personal interest. I joined the company as a correspondent, and he gave me an advice in 1987. He said, You are going to be an editor, and I want you to try and do these three things when you become an editor. 1. Try not to use the newspaper to promote one interest. 2. Try not to use the newspaper to fight another interest. 3. Try not to use the newspaper to promote your selfish interest, because when you strike a balance in these three, you will be a success.What was your reaction when you heard of his death'It is very sad to discover that you dont have him around anymore. You cant ask questions, you cant even discuss those things that you discussed, sometimes argue and so many other things. Suddenly, you dont have him around, he made certain that everything went well when he was not around.Would you describe him as a mentor'Yes, he was in many respects; he never stopped advising, he never stopped counselling. I believe he did the same thing with all the other employees, he advised them, but he advised me mostly. He always told us, I want The Guardian to be the best paying newspaper in the country. You just go ahead and decide what you want to earn and keep those people you want to keep in the company, so it is up to you, and that is what has always happened. He said, If you need 10 people, then you keep 10 people. Why would you keep 10 people for what you need only five people for, then you will not be able to pay them well. The chairmans desire was to make The Guardian one of the five best English language newspapers in the world and he has contributed immensely to the journalism profession.
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