NDAGUBA, Ikenna (Late)

broadcaster, media consultant; DOB: July20,1935; HOMETOWN: Onitsha; State of Origin: Anambra; Married: Carol; No of Children: two sons, two daughters; EDUCATION: C.M.S Central School, Onitsha, Anambra State, 1941-50;Merchants of Light School,Oba, Onitsha, 1951-55. CAREER: Announcer/Programme Assistant,Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Service, 1960-63; Programme Assistant, Voice of Nigeria, Lagos, 1963-70;snr.Announcer,NigerianBroadcastingCorporation, Lagos, 197073; Head of Presentation, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation,Television, 1973-77; Principal Announcer, 1977-78; Controller, Presentation, Federal RadioCor-poration ofNigeria,1978-79;ag.mgr.,National Programmes;co ordinated thetransition from Nigerian BroadcastingCorporationto Federal RadioCorporation ofNigeria,National Stadium,1979;mgr.,Programmes, Radio Nigeria .•, Nigeria's first FM Stereo Station, 1979-82; ag. asst. dir: Programme Services, Lagos, 1982-83; gm. Radio Nigeria II,1983-85; asst. dir. Radio Nigeria II, 1985-87; Commercial, Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, 1987-89; Managing Director: Federal Radio Corporation, Enugu, 1989-90; Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Lagos, 1990-93; edir. 1993-95; retired from servicesof Federal RadioCorporation Nigeria, since1995; ch/ceo: Ikerus Nig. Co.,since 1995; Orator/Leader, Oratoisat National Honours Award Ceremonies, since 1978;mm: Boardof.Directors, AnambraStateSports Council, since 1984; mm: National Committee for the Launching of MAMSER, 1987;NationalCommittee on Sports MeritAward, 1987-90; Panel of Judges,UACMeritAward for Journalism, since 1988;mm: National Committee onWarAgainstIndiscipline, since 1988, Board of Directors, Anambra BroadcastingService, 1988-92; National CommitteeonNational Orientation Movement,since 1990; Nigerian Institute ofPublic Relations, International InstituteofCommunications,London, International Advertising Association, Society ofNigerian Broadcasters, h:AnnounceroftheYear, Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, Lagos, 1971. cw: Produced a feature programme titled A New Lease of Life while on attachment to the British Broadcasting Corporation, African Service, 1966. sc: Ikoyi Club 1938; Federal Radio Corporation Nigeria Lawn Tennis Club; Patron, Merchants of Light School,Old Boys Association. The glorious exit of Ikenna Ndaguba (MFR), broadcaster par excellence, the quintessential wordsmith who was an epitome of excellence in the art of the spoken word, and a reference point for guidance and professional knowledge in every ramification of broadcasting, no doubt, is a colossal loss to the entire nation, the Nigerian media and public affairs management where he excelled spectacularly. With his inimitable golden voice, incredible oratorical skills, powerful elocution and articulate presentation, Ndaguba literally redefined broadcasting standards in Nigeria. He towered in the broadcasting profession and indeed other spheres of the Nigerian life like a beacon to treasure for well over five decades in recognition of which he was conferred with the national honour of Member of the Federal Republic, MFR, in 2001. Since Ndaguba’s passage to greater glory in the early hours of Sunday, September 18, 2011, at the age of 76 years, there has been a continuing upsurge of tributes, eulogies and encomiums in remembrance of the doyen and standard bearer of the broadcasting profession. From all strata of the Nigerian society – the Presidency, the National Assembly, state governors, the diplomatic corps and indeed other members of the public – the common thread that ran through all is that Nigeria has lost one of its finest broadcasters who demonstrated an uncommon sense of commitment and dedication to any assignment he was charged to deliver. They also testified to the fact that Ndaguba was an efficient manager of men and material, endowed with the special skills to harness human resources. His unique and painstaking approach in the way he handled his beat as master of ceremonies which is strongly embedded in the sacred doctrines of broadcasting itself, thorough research and understanding of the subject of the event and the entire environment, complemented by his incredible flair and striking competence in writing, always made him the star attraction at any event. This indeed earned him a lot of respect and brought dignity to the broadcasting profession. He joined the Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Service, Enugu, in 1960. Ndaguba was, in fact, the voice on the first broadcast of this regional radio and television station at that time. Three years later, he joined the Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC, and the Voice of Nigeria as one of its pioneer staff during the formative years in the early 1960s helping to project the culture and activities of Nigeria to the outside world. For many years, Ndaguba read the news on Radio Nigeria’s Home Service and the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) where he made tremendous impact. He was the first newscaster to read the Network News on TV in 1976. Ndaguba’s rich resonant voice and painstaking attention to details earned him the enviable role of introducing all the broadcasts by heads of state of Nigeria on radio and television for many years. In his formative years in broadcasting, the young Ndaguba was an engaging presenter. Some of the spectacular programmes he anchored at the time included The Care of the Aged which was broadcast on BBC Africa Service and the BBC World Service in1966. He also anchored a television programme called Focus where he interviewed notable Nigerians and world leaders. These included Sir Francis Akanu Ibiam, governor of the then Eastern Nigeria and Sir Harold Macmillan, and the then prime minister of the United Kingdom. Ndaguba had professional training in presentation, production and management both in Nigeria and overseas at the BBC Africa Service, BBC Television, Voice of Germany Cologne, Voice of America and various radio and television stations in the United States of America and former Yugoslavia. Ndaguba midwifed the first FM station in Nigeria in 1977. Known as Radio Nigeria 2 the Sunshine Station, it was indeed the darling of many listeners at that time. At Radio Nigeria 2, Ndaguba demonstrated a deep knowledge of programme development and conceptualization with the introduction of many innovative and people-oriented programmes which endeared the station to the people. His ingenious management of Radio Nigeria and an enviable structure created for the real city radio opened a good window of exposure for Nigerian musicians that dominated the airwaves all the time to reach the people. The first telephone programme in these parts was introduced by Ndaguba as far back as the 80s on Radio Nigeria 2 the Sunshine Station. The key management positions held by Ndaguba in the hierarchy of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria included his appointment as managing director of FRCN Enugu National Station. He was transferred to oversee the activities of the 3 channels in Lagos National Station also as managing director. Ndaguba attained a new level in his management career in 1993 with the partial commercialization of FRCN when he was appointed as the first executive director of Lagos National Station. Ndaguba was a member of the executive of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON)- a body of chief executives of radio and television stations concerned with the development of broadcasting in Nigeria. He was a member of the International Institution of Communications London. Ndaguba was inducted into the prestigious Agbala Nze Society of Onitsha, his home place in Anambra State with a special Ozo title of Onwa N’etili Ora. He was married to Mrs. Carol Ndaguba, a lawyer of over 37 years standing and they are blessed with four lovely children who are success stories today in their various callings. One forum which gave Ndaguba the rare opportunity of personally reaping the bountiful harvest of goodwill for which he invested tremendously during his interactions with the public over the years was the celebration of his 70th birthday in Abuja which attracted the overwhelming and unprecedented presence of the high and the mighty from all spheres of life. His colleagues from all parts of the country were also there in their legion to pay homage to the doyen of broadcasting. Today, as the whole nation did precisely six years ago when you celebrated the anniversary of your 70th birthday on earth, Nigerians, friends of Nigeria and indeed all those whose lives you had had a positive impact on pay you a well deserved final respect. The most enduring tribute members of the enlarged media family particularly broadcasters can pay to the memory of Ndaguba the great broadcaster of all time is to continue with the enviable legacies of excellence, commitment and dedication to the trade of broadcasting which he gave his very best shot. The establishment of the Onwa Ikenna Ndaguba Foundation is a most befitting honour to immortalize his name in our minds perpetually. As Onwa Ikenna Ndaguba begins his final homeward journey to eternal rest, this is a clarion call on all members of the Nigerian media, the advertising world, the entertainment fraternity of musicians, the Nollywood and indeed all friends and admirers of Onwa Ikenna Ndaguba (MRF) to be present at FRCN Ikoyi Lagos on Tuesday, November 1, 2011 from 5pm for a special programme in honour of the broadcaster of all times.