Posted by By MIKE JIMOH & PHILIP NWOSU on
For the second time in two weeks, THISDAY is facing another tragedy. An early morning fire yesterday turned the fourth floor of its Lagos corporate office to rubbles. The Penthouse is the office of its chairman, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena.
For the second time in two weeks, THISDAY is facing another tragedy. An early morning fire yesterday turned the fourth floor of its Lagos corporate office to rubbles. The Penthouse is the office of its chairman, Mr. Nduka Obaigbena.
Exactly two Fridays ago, the newspaper's Editorial Board chairman, Mr. Godwin Agbroko, was murdered on his way from work.
As at press time, the cause of the fire was unknown just as the reason for Agbroko's killing is still a mystery.
In a statement signed by its Managing Director, Mr. Eniola Bello, THISDAY stated that 'The fire lasted about two and half hours and razed the entire Penthouse of the main building of the complex which houses printing plants, IT infrastructure and the advertising and account departments.
'The Penthouse accommodates the offices of THISDAY chairman/ editor-in-chief, Nduka Obaigbena, as well as those of his chief of staff, Business Development Group Head and personal staff.
'We thank God that no life was lost in the inferno which cause could not be immediately ascertained. The fire however consumed the entire floor housing the chairman's office. Documents, both in hard and soft copies, computers, furniture, the chairman's personal library, prized art works and some other personal effects were completely destroyed.
'Also lost to the inferno were archives of all past THISDAY editions, all past THISWEEK magazine editions, the complete editions and archives of THISDAY South Africa, TIME magazine archives, personal works and prized manuscripts."
According to an eyewitness, the fire started in the early hours of yesterday long after Obaigbena left the Penthouse: 'He left his office at 11pm on Friday and we continued work until somebody raised an alarm that thick clouds of smoke were coming out of the top floor. That was about 2.30 3am. Immediately we contacted the Apapa Fire Department. Help didn't come from them until much later. But we had help from Niger Buiscuit, the company next door, the moment the fire started raging."
The Fire Service did manage to put out the fire but after it had burnt the entire floor. After he was alerted, Obaigbena reportedly arrived the premises while the fire was still raging but could do little or nothing to salvage his prized possessions ranging from books, art works and clothes.
According to Mr. Bello, President Olusegun Obasanjo and Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu 'have called to express their sympathy" and to also 'thank God that there was no loss of life."
Among others who physically called yesterday to express sympathy were colleagues from the media. The early callers included the Managing Director and Deputy Managing Director of The Sun, Messrs. Mike Awoyinfa and Dimgba Igwe; Chief Ajibola Ogunsola (chairman of Punch newspaper); Mr. Victor Ifijeh (Managing Director of The Nation); Mr. Gbenga Adefaye, Daily Editor of Vanguard, and Mr. Louis Odion (editor of Sunday Sun).
People Democratic Party (PDP) Lagos gubernatorial candidate, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro also paid a sympathy visit to the newspaper's headquarters. Bank executives and company bosses have been visiting as well. The CEO of Dangote Group, Mallam Aliko Dangote, spent a great deal of time with Obaigbena, a friend, as well as Femi Otedola, Zenon Oil boss.