Patrick Dele Cole's Impact on Nigeria's Print Media

Dr. Patrick Dele Cole passed away at the age of 86, leaving a legacy marked by significant contributions to Nigeria's print media industry. Born on 4th August 1940 in Abonnema, Rivers State, he was a public servant, technocrat, diplomat, and presidential counsel during military and civilian administrations.

Cole was appointed Managing Director of Daily Times in 1976, during a period when the federal government held majority equity in the newspaper. He recruited notable US-based Nigerian journalists, including Dele Giwa from the New York Times and Dr. Stanley Macebuh, who was part of the New York Times Editorial Board.

This led to the establishment of an American-style Editorial Board at Daily Times, which transformed the newspaper's approach to journalism and attracted high-caliber journalists. This innovation contributed to the founding of The Guardian, a privately owned liberal newspaper, and modernized the Nigerian newspaper industry, enhancing its role in state affairs and advertising profitability.