Chief Sam Amuka Pemu (born June 13, 1935) is a Nigerian Journalist, Columnist and founder of Vanguard Newspaper, Nigeria's leading Newspaper. He co-founded The Punch, most widely read newspaper in Nigeria.^[1][2] Sam was born in Sapele, a city in Delta State, southern Nigeria into the family of the late Pa. Amuka-Pemu and Madam Teshoma Amuka-Pemu, who died on May, 2014.^[3][4][5]

Journalism career

He was formerly a Daily Times of Nigeria's editor and the first editor of the Sunday Punch before he established The Punch with his friend, the late, Olu Aboderin in 1971.^[6] He later established Vanguard Newspaper in 1983 with three other Nigerian Columnist.^[7] Sam Amuka was described as “Gentleman of the Press” by President Muhammadu Buhari on his 80th years birthday.^[8] He was described as as an icon and a leading light in Nigerian journalism by Nduka Obaigbena, President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria.^[9] Sam Amuka is the oldest practicing media professional in Nigeria today who had been cited by peers. A book titled, From 1939 to the vanguard of modern journalism written by Kola Muslim Animasaun, who also trained under him acknowledged his immense contributions to Journalism in Nigeria.^[10][11]