Founding editor of ThisWeek Magazine, Sonala Olumhense, has attributed the publication’s culture of bold journalism to publisher Nduka Obaigbena’s optimism, persistence and belief that challenges could always be overcome.
Olumhense spoke as ThisWeek marked its 40th anniversary, coinciding with Obaigbena’s birthday, reflecting on four decades of the magazine’s influence and the vision that shaped its place in Nigeria’s media history.
According to him, the publication’s famous “We Can Do It” philosophy was inspired by Obaigbena’s consistent determination to push beyond limitations.
“‘We can do it’ came from Nduka himself. He wasn’t aware that he was saying it, but he was always coming to that point, emphasising that nothing was an obstacle — that every obstacle could be overcome,” he said.
Olumhense recalled that ThisWeek distinguished itself by prioritising public-interest journalism rather than serving those in power.
He said the editorial team shared a commitment to producing professional journalism, challenging authority and encouraging the wider media industry to hold leaders accountable.
“What was different about ThisWeek is that everybody who came there was convinced that we could do something special.
”We could do journalism that would earn respect — journalism by the book, something that would serve the public purpose,” he said.
“We thought we could question them, and teach the rest of the profession also to question, and to keep questioning them. That was where we were really different.”
Olumhense said Nigeria’s media landscape had lost something important with the disappearance of ThisWeek, arguing that the magazine’s absence had created a significant gap in public-interest journalism.
While acknowledging the impact of social media on news distribution, he maintained that traditional media organisations still provide depth, structure and investigative value that digital platforms often lack.
He also expressed concern over declining newspaper circulation, saying reduced print readership had affected the ability of newspapers to reach schools, libraries, offices and communities.
“Where we are weaker is that many of the organs that exist today by way of the newspaper trade print very few copies compared to what we were doing in those days,” he said.
Olumhense recalled that ThisWeek once printed about 100,000 copies weekly, adding that today’s lower circulation figures had reduced newspapers’ physical presence and influence.
He argued that reading newspapers involved a deeper engagement than quickly accessing news through mobile devices.
The journalist also criticised what he described as increasing transactional relationships between journalists and government officials, warning that excessive dependence on government advertising could undermine editorial independence.
“I think we are certainly more transactional than things were in those days. The journalists today work far too closely with governments and government officials,” he said.
Olumhense further criticised the lack of follow-up reporting in Nigerian journalism, saying many media organisations publish government promises without returning to examine whether they were fulfilled.
He said journalists have a responsibility to track policies and statements made by public officials to ensure accountability.
“You can’t quote him as proclaiming a new policy, you can’t quote him as declaring a new path forward, you can’t quote him as saying that a certain objective will be achieved in two days or two years, and not come back to let the reader know how that is going,” he said.
On the challenges facing journalists, Olumhense said insecurity had made reporting more difficult, especially for those covering sensitive issues.
He, however, noted that the profession’s deeper challenge was internal, arguing that journalists must ask tougher questions and pursue stronger accountability journalism.
“A part of the problem as to where the country is today is of our making because we are not asking enough questions,” he said.
He urged newsrooms to focus more on investigative reporting, follow-up stories and professional independence rather than proximity to political power.
Olumhense warned that the greatest threat to journalism was not only external pressure but the profession abandoning its own standards and constitutional responsibility.
“That would certainly be journalism surrendering its own standards and its own place, as conferred upon them by the Constitution,” he said.
Describing Obaigbena as one of the most determined people he has known, Olumhense said the publisher’s refusal to accept limitations had helped him build and reinvent media platforms over the years.
“Nduka’s secret is very, very simple. Nduka is one of the most stubborn people you will ever meet.
”He likes to invent and to reinvent. He doesn’t hear the word ‘no’ when you say it,” he said.
He added that Obaigbena’s persistence demonstrated the importance of believing in an idea and remaining committed despite challenges.
Concluding with optimism, Olumhense said Nigerian journalism could overcome its current difficulties if journalists and citizens worked together to restore the profession’s values.
“I think we can. I think journalists and those who love the country need to think highly and deeply about how to reinvigorate journalism in Nigeria. That’s where our salvation lies,” he said.
