“Born into Journalism” is a sizzling collection of personal experiences ranging over four decades in Nigerian and international journalism, robustly presented by a masterful reporter. Kayode Soyinka’s audacity, as when he smoothly pries into Nelson Mandela’s divorce in an interview for which both interviewer and interviewee should have been awarded medals, is an example of his professional sleekness. He is twice thrown out of jobs by fickle Nigerian employers and effectively stranded in London. He is rescued by his faith and unsheathed bravado. Today his gift of resourcefulness has won him the prize of the last Nigerian publishing pan-African news and commentary magazines in London, in the genre of pre-satellite television.

A portrait of the late M. K. O. Abiola that emerges from Kayode’s narration of what it was like working for the multi-millionaire as London representative and confidante, his measured recall of the morning a parcel bomb blew up Dele Giwa as they sat together at breakfast, and the envy and bitchiness in the journalism brotherhood you don’t hear about, are among the reasons Kayode Soyinka’s new book is not a mere compendium of past events.

Peter Enahoro (Peter Pan)

 Africa’s best-known and most celebrated journalist, editor, and columnist. And publisher of the pan-African newsmagazine, Africa Now.

This book is a remarkable account of the life of a committed journalist. From cub reporter with The Daily Sketch in Nigeria at the age of 18 in 1976 to publisher of a global magazine on Africa in 1995 – still published today – Kayode Soyinka’s story is as gripping as it is inspirational. Within the first few days at The Daily Sketch, as he says, “it became very clear that to succeed as a journalist, I should take the task and see myself as a marathon runner and not a sprinter”. Kayode proved equal to the strains of a marathon. His talent and determination were recognised early in his career when a veteran Sketch manager repeatedly referred to him as “Editor, tomorrow”. Becoming the London Correspondent for African publications opened the doors to fulfil his resolute ambition to be a Journalist of note. While obtaining degrees at two UK universities, he worked for, or set-up, news magazines, covering major international and Commonwealth conferences. In these capacities, he rubbed shoulders with world leaders earning their respect and routinely delivering front-page stories. In the course of his career, Kayode overcame many obstacles, including a near-death experience while visiting Nigerian journalist, Dele Giwa, in Lagos. A parcel bomb was delivered to Giwa who, unsuspectingly opened it in Kayode’s presence. Giwa was killed and Kayode hospitalised, spending his first day in a room next door to where Giwa’s dead body lay. The episode silenced Giwa, but it awoke afresh in Kayode a passion to keep press freedom alive. This book is the authentic voice of a determined journalist. It is also an account of defining moments in Africa’s efforts to establish and uphold democracy told by a witness who sought truth and reveals it as he saw it.

Sir Ronald Sanders

Sir Ronald Sanders is a veteran diplomat, writer, Fellow at the Universities of London and Toronto, and former BBC and Caribbean broadcaster.

This is the wonderful story of Nigeria’s most celebrated international journalist. Filled with anecdotes, Kayode Soyinka explains how a cub reporter, who skips lunch and has “a canine nose for news” set up the London bureau of the Concord group of newspapers at the age of 22, and became “a man of history” when he luckily survived the parcel bomb which murdered his editor at Newswatch, Dele Giwa in 1986. A trenchant opponent of Nigerian dictators he enabled Chief Abiola, who had sacked him from Concord a decade earlier, to go on the BBC to denounce President Babangida, who quashed the election he had won. Launching Africa Today, with an interview with Nelson Mandela in 1995, the reporter and editor became a successful publisher as well. A strong Christian, he gives thanks to God for his success, and surviving tricky moments in his career. This is a must-read for all those fascinated by the modern history of Nigeria.

Richard Bourne

journalist, former deputy editor of the London Evening Standard and author of “Nigeria – a new History of a Turbulent Century”, Zed Books, London and BookCraft Africa, Ibadan.

This book is well written. It is an account of all Kayode Soyinka passed through in his career as ajournalist. He may not know that his record equals that of late Chief Anthony Enahoro, who became editor of a Nigerian Provincial Newspaper, Southern Nigerian Defender, at age 21, and his brother, Peter Enahoro (Peter Pan) also became editor of Sunday Times at age 23. So, Kayode Soyinka belongs to their group. This is, therefore, a good historical account of the adventure of a young journalist who as an 18-year-old climbed the newsroom ladder into prominence. He came, he saw, he went through many tribulations, and he survived all odds. The story of the Daily Sketch problem featuring him and Segun Osoba is not offensive. It is accurate. No biases seen.

Dayo Duyile

veteran journalist, author, journalism teacher and former editor of Daily Sketch.

This memoir is reverent and irreverent at the same time, but it is certainly a truthful account of Kayode Soyinka’s outstanding career as an international journalist. It is well written in terms of the details of critical events in his life and career. It is a product of good research and highly commendable.

Soji Akinrinade

former Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch, now Executive Editor of Newswatch Plus.