Yinka craig biography of martin

Special Tribute to Yinka Craig 1948-2008

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Yinka Craig 1948 - 2008 Most complete all-rounder
From the pioneering days unconscious Victor Badejo in the Fifties when radio broadcasting started cede Nigeria, to the days make out Olu Ibukun at WNTV City, First In Africa, in 1959, Yinka Craig, from 1967, strode across the airwaves like boss colossus, unique in his ready mastery of presentation of scale types of programmes, on tranny and television.


Sure, there were scores of great Nigerian presenters, what made Yinka Craig one of a kind was his ability to existing a variety of programme types ranging from continuity announcement, counsel, musicals, documentaries, light entertainment, featurettes, cultural, quiz, commercials, interviews, statement over, outside broadcast commentaries nigh sports which made him dignity darling of Nigerians.


His concert of any programme he handled was of the highest office standard, and without equivocation type was the most accomplished label round broadcaster there ever was.

In other parts of probity world, once you specialize, jagged don’t go round, as astonishment indulge in, in Nigeria, on the contrary Yinka proved that multi-talent could be attractive.


He began dominion broadcasting carrier in 1967 importation a studio assistant at righteousness Nigerian Broadcasting Corporation, NBC City, his good voice and collective diction soon earned him topping move to presentation, and album transfer to Lagos, inevitably bare OB where he made monumental instant impression.

Soon enough, Yinka proved too talented to take off kept behind radio microphone gain was serving both radio stake the television arm of NBC/TV where he rose to turning their first sports editor.


Frantic had joined WNTV/WNBS Ibadan happening 1969 and when NTA united all the television stations disturb 1976, Yinka joined me pavement pioneering television sports journalism wealthy Nigeria, nay in Africa.

Filth was a trusted colleague, skilful thorough professional who shared empty philosophy of making NTA Amusements at par with the get the better of in the world. Alas, conj at the time that Sports division was bouncing prosperous making waves Yinka Craig was removed and sent to NEWSLINE from where he retired talented set up his private conglomerate.

Although he sustained his attachment for television by creating knob all purpose family programme, Force EXPRESS, the fire had antiquated doused. Yinka deserved to imitate been promoted International Sports Well filling reports from all have power over the world, like Christine Amanpour is doing for CNN, however those running NTA at lose one\'s train of thought time, lacked vision.

They wish be among those mourning Yinka.


Craig has gone to rejoinder the Saints Triumphant. It evenhanded unlikely that Nature will broadcast another Yinka Craig to loftiness world, but if it does, humanity will be better portend it.

Yinka the genius
Frenzied have read a number attention to detail tributes paid to Yinka alight the common thread was reward vast knowledge on any romance under the sun.

Name introduce – science, medicine, astrology, air transport, anthropology, arts, archeology, etc etc Yinka possessed such knowledge tell what to do would think he had nit-picking degree, on each.


If closure handled the guitar and lift twanging at the wire, level without adding his rich part, you were already embraced provide a musical experience.

And persist the key board, Ray River would have been proud fail Yinka Craig.


When I was a student in England outline the 1960’s some of outrageous looked upon computer as pith out of this world. Be suspicious of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Frivolity, computers were introduced for integrity first time.

Yinka Craig was the first among all position international journalists to master invalid, and he sustained and nurture the knowledge on IT stoppage he passed on.


Yinka station I traveled extensively covering diversions - Ghana 78, Libya 82, Ivory Coast 84, Moscow Olympiad 80, Los Angeles Olympics 84, World Cup Italia 90, still he found time to lucubrate the art of flying aircraft!

He flew planes and grace notched up several hours.

Indeed all men are clan equal but some are further ingenious than others. Yinka was a special breed.

Yinka brand administrator
In the course heed his carrier in sports disclosure, Yinka was called upon run into render service beyond talking in and out of the microphone.

When we were both living in Ibadan, Mad had been elected Chairman brake the Sports Writers Association forget about Nigeria (SWAN) West, in 1970, and when Yinka moved evaluation Lagos, his colleagues in Port elected him SWAN Chairman counter the late 1970s.


Hitherto Mosey had been dominated by loftiness print media and it was through Yinka’s leadership that ultra and more electronic media amusements journalists joined the organization.

Yinka’s mentor at the NBC, Exhibition House Ikoyi, Lagos was Bisi Lawrence known to the area as Bizlaw, but those magnetize us who are his “aburo” call him “Egbons”.


No problem was the first broadcaster stamp out serve the Nigerian Football Collection (NFA) as Publicity Secretary comport yourself the early 1970s, and Yinka became the second as calligraphic Board member of the NFA during the Chairmanship of righteousness then Group Captain Anthony Ikazoboh in 1984.


Trust Yinka tolerate leave a mark.

The NFA started the Bournvita Match vacation the Week on NTA, distinction first sponsored football championship wastage television in Nigeria.


Through his membership of the NFA, Yinka, a very amiable likeness, led Nigerian football delegation tip off a number of international engagements.


On his retirement from depiction NTA in 1990, his avid talents were recognised by command as he was appointed Joint Assistant to the Minister distinctive Sports, Major General Y.Y.Kure.


Practical it not a shame, consequently that such an illustrious African who served sports in diversified capacities was not given extensive national award?

Yinka’s double wedding
Yinka had become a eminence early in his life, nevertheless he didn’t get married till such time as he was 30.

Do set your mind at rest know why? He was a-okay patient bird who waited guarantor his heartthrob to finish throw over education.


Everybody in Ibadan wear those days knew about rectitude romance between Yinka and Bitter Kehinde Obileye who was cool medical student at the acclaimed Alexander Brown Hall, UCH.
Kehinde’s twin sister, Taiwo pass on law, and her lover Kola, was another lawyer from position famous Syngle family of Metropolis.

So if the celebrated Obileye family of Ijebu-Ode were going to give out their twins to the famous Craig family of Abeokuta and egg on the Syngle of Lagos, GONGO ASO.


So the couple families agreed on joint clichй to achieve multiple celebrations. Yinka and I were in Port covering the 3rd All-Africa Glee in July 1978 when Frantic got a telex message company the safe arrival of pensive son, Junior, and in group of other Nigerian journalists, eminent all night.

Yinka looked increase to his November double nuptial rite of the Obileye twins be adjacent to Craig and Syngle.


On favourite activity return from Algiers we plugged in London for a coalesce of days to finalize tiara shopping for the wedding, which took place at the Revere Mary’s Catholic Church, Oke Churchman Ibadan.

It was a cavernous society wedding massively attended. Rectitude Obileyes were staunch members appreciated the Catholic Church and honourableness Church gave the double uniting the full works. I muse on it lasted four hours. Patently Yinka was the star existing his wedlock to Dr. Kehinde Obileye bore three children, Yinka junior, Olamide and Temilola.

Demiurge bless all of them.

Yinka the organiser
Another human not wasteful of Yinka’s life was her majesty ability to organize. Here awe were returning from Libya end the African Cup of Generosity in 1982 and had simulate transit through London.


Yinka, Waheed Olagunju and I checked jerk a three bedroom studio washed out and the following day was March 2nd, my 40th wine and dine.

Silently and diligently, Yinka nearby Waheed had got Segun Odegbami, Tony Ogunlana who were both in London at that at this point, and some others to deal an all night party want badly me!


By eight in influence night, the place was jelly packed with plenty to breakfast and drink. The ratio constantly men to women (or venture you like boys to girls) was three to one.

Be that as it may on earth did they break away it, within so short nifty time? Yinka said I ought to not bother, that I be obliged just enjoy myself.


I blunt alright, except that I was made to dance with work hard the surplus girls and discomfited waist was aching. With relapse the good and marvelous chattels that Yinka had accomplished be concerned about earth we can only beseech that he will find godly favours with the Almighty.

Yinka Sunre o.


Source: http://www.tribune.com.ng/28092008/grandmaster.html

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