It was my son’s idea.
Adeyinka had always wanted to be a journalist, reporting from the sports desk. He desired to study Mass Communications to advance his passion but ended up with Philosophy. Upon completing his national youth service in Taraba State, his dream was aided by great folks: Isaac Umunna, Taye Ige, Maureen Chigbo and the mentor-in-chief Lekan Otufodurin.
At The Nation, he was on the online desk, and that was when he kept repeating the line: ‘Start an online newspaper’. But it was not long after the event of 2 February 2021 when my Adeyinka flew away that I started to give his thoughts serious consideration. Those words of his kept ringing in my ears during my mourning period and quiet moments
With the help of a fantastic guy, Celestine Achi, who developed the site pro bono, we were ready to start. Three years ago today, Breezy News joined the rank of online newspapers with a mission to stick with the fine ethics of journalism practice. At exactly 4:58 pm (Lagos time) on 28 February 2022, we posted our first content titled, The fuel subsidy tiff. The Muhammadu Buhari administration contemplated selling the essential commodity at a “subsided” rate of N340 per litre, and there was loud complaint. Three years after, we’ll have to conduct a quiz to know the current price of the commodity and how many increases/decreases had taken place ever since!
Less than two hours later, we published our first news story, a story Adeyinka would have loved. It was a sports story on the Nigeria Professional Football League (as it was then known): NPFL: Akwa United open title defence. At the last count, we had published 23,263 contents. Not enough, by my expectations. But with the team we’re growing, training and equipping, there are bigger wins ahead.
In any journey, you need people who had walked the path ahead of you to guide and lift you. You need support in every form. And we have not been lacking such supports. I tried not to mention names so that I don’t offend others I may unintentionally miss. But it will also be out of character not to show gratitude.
First is my chief coach, Isaac Umunna. Since our paths crossed in the mid-90s, he had been supportive, and extremely so on the Breezy News journey. He is my go-to person at any time I wanted clarity, direction and tips. And he doesn’t wait for me to call or visit before he gets across to me. His advice, spot-on. Undoubtedly, he understands the terrain in which he had operated over the years. And his passion is so infectious.
If you think that Breezy News contents are clean, easy to read and enlightening, you haven’t encountered Femi Shodunke. Canada-based, this long-time friend and colleague goes through our contents with a tooth comb, no blade of the grass is uncovered. And his criticisms are spot-on. When he started, he was full of apologies that I would get angry about his comments, but I rather encouraged him not to relent. Eagle-eyed, experienced sub-editor of the good old years, he brings his expertise into every of our story. And he shares our contents with his contacts in Canada and North America. The Barooyin himself, I can’t thank you enough.
Even without having a thousand tongues, I will continue to sing the praises of Achi, Nkechi Ali-Balogun, Chuddy Oduenyi, Adegboyega Aiku, Seun Aiku, Ikem Okuhu, Otufodurin, Wasiu Abiola, Ige (courtesy of whom we have an office), Femi Solaja, and many many more. May God reward you in more ways than you can imagine.
Abdul Imoyo remains in my heart. Unsolicited, he gave us our first advert, ensuring we got paid while the campaign was still on. It was sad that he had to leave us at his prime. May God continue to rest his amazing soul.
As we commence our fourth year of existence, we appeal to institutions and corporate bodies who find our spaces good enough for their content to lend support in advertising-related areas. This is business. A one-way relationship is unsustainable. Breezy News is into a new phase of growth, and this cannot happen if we have to dip into our resources, while promoting the businesses of others.
Watch out for a much improved content and service delivery from Breezy News.
Happy anniversary to us!!!
