Nigerian Compass

Nigerian Compass was established as a Nigerian daily newspaper serving a national readership. It covered general news together with business, politics and sports, and issued both weekday and weekend editions. The available reference material does not specify its founding date, launch circumstances or original editorial leadership. The publication became closely associated with Gbenga Daniel, who was governor of Ogun State between May 2003 and May 2011. Daniel's ownership gave the newspaper a prominent place in Ogun State's political and media environment, but it also generated questions about the relationship between ownership, editorial judgment and political advocacy. In June 2009, Nigerian Compass named Daniel the most outstanding governor in education in Nigeria. Critics regarded the recognition as compromised or inappropriate because Daniel owned the newspaper that conferred it, and the episode became a subject of public ridicule. The paper's reporting and image choices also brought it into controversy. In July 2009, it published a photograph of Wale Alausa, an Ogun State House of Assembly member, taking an oath of loyalty while naked. The circumstances of the oath and the reasons for publishing the photograph were disputed. The episode appeared to have political implications and reinforced the perception that the newspaper was participating directly in local political struggles rather than merely reporting on them. Journalistic security became an issue in December 2010 when Femi Shodunke, the deputy editor, was waylaid by four gunmen in Abeokuta. He narrowly survived the attack. The incident occurred in a politically charged setting and highlighted the physical risks confronting newspaper staff in Nigeria, although the available account does not identify the attackers or establish a judicial outcome. Nigerian Compass was named in a prominent legal dispute in February 2011. Chief Akintola Adeniyi, an Ibadan-based lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, filed a N50 billion libel suit against multiple defendants, including the newspaper and its daily editor, Gabriel Akinadewo. The action reportedly concerned the paper's reproduction of allegedly libelous statements made by Otunba Sunday Ojo Williams. No outcome is provided in the reference material. The title's political association was further debated in an exchange involving TheNews. After TheNews published a highly critical account of Daniel's eight-year tenure as governor, Daniel accused the magazine of working with Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a response dated 17 March 2011, TheNews denied external direction and contrasted its own independence with what it characterized as Daniel's influence over Nigerian Compass. The dispute illustrated the wider contest among Nigerian political actors and media organizations over ownership, agenda setting and editorial autonomy. A change in the paper's commercial structure was announced in January 2014. Nigerian Compass stated that Segun Oyebolu had acquired its publication rights. Oyebolu had reportedly made a N1 billion offer to Daniel in 2012. After the rights transfer, the newspaper was published as a free national newspaper by Compass FreePaper Limited, a newly registered company owned by Oyebolu. The available sources do not document the title's later circulation, corporate history or current publication status. Accordingly, the brand's present status remains unknown rather than being classified as active or defunct.

• 2014

  Publication rights transferred to Segun Oyebolu

  [1]Nigerian Compassen.wikipedia.org

  The newspaper announced a transfer of publication rights to Segun Oyebolu and subsequently adopted a free national newspaper model through Compass FreePaper Limited.

• 2011

  N50 billion libel suit filed

  [1]Nigerian Compassen.wikipedia.org

  Chief Akintola Adeniyi named Nigerian Compass and its daily editor in a large libel action concerning allegedly defamatory reproduced remarks.

• 2010

  Deputy editor attacked in Abeokuta

  [1]Nigerian Compassen.wikipedia.org

  Femi Shodunke was reportedly ambushed by four gunmen and survived the attack.

• 2009

  Owner receives a newspaper-sponsored governor award

  [1]Nigerian Compassen.wikipedia.org

  Nigerian Compass named owner Gbenga Daniel the country's most outstanding governor in education, prompting criticism because the newspaper and award recipient were connected through ownership.

• 2009

  Controversial oath photograph published

  [1]Nigerian Compassen.wikipedia.org

  The paper published an image of Ogun legislator Wale Alausa taking a naked oath of loyalty; accounts of the circumstances and motives differed.

A Nigerian national newspaper covering general news, business, politics and sports, with a later free-paper model following the transfer of publication rights.

• Daily newspaper

  Nigerian Compass daily edition

  The core publication was a daily Nigerian newspaper with national circulation. Its editorial scope included general news, business, politics and sports. The available reference material does not provide a detailed description of its sections, pagination, circulation figures or launch date.

• Weekend newspaper

  Nigerian Compass weekend edition

  The title issued weekend editions in addition to its weekday newspaper. Specific weekend supplements, formats and editorial features are not documented in the supplied sources.

• Free national newspaper · 2014

  Compass FreePaper

  After Segun Oyebolu acquired the publication rights, Nigerian Compass was subsequently published as a free national newspaper through Compass FreePaper Limited. The sources do not specify the duration or operating details of this model.

• 2009

  Award to the newspaper's owner

  The paper's recognition of Gbenga Daniel as the country's most outstanding governor in education was criticized and ridiculed because Daniel owned the newspaper.

  Source

• 2009

  Publication of naked oath photograph

  Nigerian Compass published a photograph of Wale Alausa taking an oath of loyalty while naked. Conflicting explanations surrounded both the event and the newspaper's decision to publish the image, which appeared politically motivated.

  Source

Read more

• 2014

  Transfer of publication rights to Segun OyeboluM&A

  Background

  The newspaper announced that Segun Oyebolu had acquired its publication rights after reportedly offering N1 billion to Gbenga Daniel in 2012.

  Action taken

  Publication was continued through Compass FreePaper Limited, owned by Oyebolu, and the newspaper was subsequently distributed as a free national title.

  Aftermath

  The transaction changed the title's ownership and distribution model. Later operating results and the newspaper's ultimate status are not established by the available source.

  Reported offer for publication rights. N1 billion offer reported in 2012 (2012-2014)

  Source

• 2014

  Publication rights acquired by Segun Oyebolu[1]Nigerian Compassen.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Nigerian Compass announced that Segun Oyebolu had acquired its publication rights. The newspaper subsequently operated as a free national newspaper through Compass FreePaper Limited.

• 2011

  N50 billion libel action names Nigerian Compass[1]Nigerian Compassen.wikipedia.org

  Lawsuit

  Chief Akintola Adeniyi filed a N50 billion libel suit against several defendants, including Nigerian Compass and daily editor Gabriel Akinadewo, over the reproduction of allegedly defamatory remarks.

• 2010

  Deputy editor survives armed ambush in Abeokuta[1]Nigerian Compassen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  Femi Shodunke, the newspaper's deputy editor, was reportedly waylaid by four gunmen in Abeokuta and narrowly escaped with his life.

• 2009

  Nigerian Compass names its owner outstanding governor in education[1]Nigerian Compassen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The newspaper recognized Gbenga Daniel, its owner and then governor of Ogun State, as the country's most outstanding governor in education. The award prompted criticism and ridicule because of the ownership relationship.

1. 1Nigerian Compassen.wikipedia.org