EpistleNews Editorial: CELEBRATING UNCLE SAM AMUKA AT 90- A LIFE OF JOURNALISTIC EXCELLENCE AND SERVICE TO HUMANITY.
Today, EpistleNews joins the Nigerian and global journalistic community in paying profound tribute to a living legend, a colossus in the noble vocation of journalism, and an unrelenting mentor of generations, Uncle Sam Amuka on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
The story of Nigerian journalism would be incomplete without the mention of this titan whose impact has reverberated far beyond newsrooms, beyond columns and front pages, into the very conscience of a nation. As the founder of Vanguard Newspaper and co-founder of The Punch, two of Nigeria’s most enduring and influential national tabloids, Uncle Sam Amuka has etched his name in gold as a pioneer, trailblazer, and guardian of journalistic integrity.
Uncle Sam’s illustrious career spans over seven decades, during which he has championed the cause of free press, fairness, objectivity, and ethical reporting, virtues that have become increasingly rare in today’s media landscape. His commitment to truth and nation-building, even under military regimes and turbulent political climates, has earned him admiration across all divides. At a time when press freedom was under siege, he stood tall, unyielding, principled, and resolute.
But perhaps his most remarkable contribution is not only in what he wrote or published, but in the lives he touched, mentored, and shaped. Thousands of journalists, many now veterans in their own right, passed through the crucible of his tutelage. I, Comrade Amawu Cletus Albert Amawu, Publisher of EpistleNews, remain deeply indebted to Uncle Sam for the opportunity granted me in 1996 to intern at Vanguard Newspaper. It was there, at the Foreign Desk under the guidance of the brilliant Ikechukwu Eze, who would later serve as Media Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan, and alongside the indefatigable Veteran Tunji Olawuni, Head of the Political Desk, that I sharpened my journalistic craft. The ethos of fearlessness, accuracy, balance, and critical analysis which I embody today are the direct legacies of those formative years.
Uncle Sam Amuka, affectionately known by many as “Uncle Sam,” is not only a media mogul but a statesman of the pen, calm, dignified, and ever discerning. His name invokes reverence and his work evokes respect. His resilience at 90 is testimony to a life lived in pursuit of truth and service to humanity.
As we mark this milestone of nine glorious decades, EpistleNews salutes this towering icon. May your days be long and your legacy eternal. May younger generations of journalists, especially in this digital age, draw strength and inspiration from your exemplary path. And may your lifelong belief in journalism as a force for good continue to illuminate our collective path.
Thank you, Uncle Sam, for the wisdom, the mentorship, and the indelible mark you have left on the hearts and minds of many. Journalism in Nigeria stands taller because of you.
Long live Uncle Sam Amuka.
Long live the truth.
Long live the Nigerian press.
Signed,
Comrade Amawu Cletus Albert Amawu
Journalist & Publisher, EpistleNews
