It was tributes galore on Tuesday as the news filtered in that tOlaseinde Obe, popularly known as Obe Ess has passed on.
The seasoned Cartoonist who served The Guardian for over three decades was also a major contributor to TNG before his demise.
Read tributes below:
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has described the death of former cartoonist with The Guardian, Mr. Olaseinde Obe (fondly known by his signature, Obe Ess) as a great loss to the media industry.
In a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, on Tuesday, the governor said that the exit of the renowned cartoonist was heartbreaking, considering his contribution to journalism.
Sanwo-Olu said: ‘The death of Olaseinde Obe is a great loss to the media industry and he will be greatly missed. He made lots of positive impacts during his lifetime, contributing meaningfully to the growth and development of journalism in Nigeria, especially using cartoons as illustrations and medium of expression. His landmark achievements in the media industry are unprecedented.
Kingsley Osadolor, a former colleague of the cartoonist had this to say:
Obe Ess showed me a different side of his persona. That side of him was the open, funny, chatty, and engaging conversationalist, ready to exchange ideas, to learn, and to share knowledge. Once we were comfortable with each other, we discussed a whole range of issues, including family and more.
The passcode to that persona was a common passion he and I shared, regarding premium vehicle maintenance. In the early 1990s, when the Nigerian middle class struggled to overcome the lashing effects of the Structural Adjustment Programme, Tokunboh cars were the recourse, rather than any mint ride driven out of the showroom. I bought a skyblue Nissan Laurel, and Obe Ess expressed admiration for the car. Later, he acquired his own car, royal blue in colour. Year after year, season after season, Obe Ess’s car was sparkling, often neatly parked on the premises at Rutam House. If Obe Ess revved up his engine, it was noiseless. Whenever I teased him whether he ever rode the car, his retort was that he was also wondering if I ever moved mine. Obe Ess and I would discuss and later purchase what we learnt were the best accessories in the market. I was a fan of Pirelli tyres. Obe Ess discovered a top quality battery at the time, and he immediately convinced me to buy one. I got the battery—TRANE—which I used for many years. We were passionate about timely servicing of our cars, as a guarantee to the extended longevity of the Tokunboh variety; any scratches on the bodywork we considered eyesores and got them rectified immediately. When I discovered that a certain trader (Sylvester) at Oshodi market sold genuine NGK plugs, I bought some packets. I informed Obe Ess, and he too went to the shop and made his purchases. Every round of servicing was with a new set of plugs.
Some years ago, Obe Ess had a near-death experience, when armed robbers invaded his residence in Lagos. When he narrated the encounter to me later, it was with a mixture of mirth and drama and thanksgiving. He said after the gangsters broke into his apartment and made to roughen him up, he held one of them whose upraised deadly assault weapon suddenly discharged. A bullet from the gun hit the decking and ricocheted to pierce one of the robbers who collapsed and died. The other accomplices took to their heels. Obe Ess relocated from the neighborhood.
Obe Ess was a master of his craft. He knew and respected the imperative of deadlines in the newspaper business. His cartoons were high art, the product of a thinking and inventive mind fully conscious of the quality audience that patronized the paper. Obe Ess was an enlightened and brilliant commentator on contemporary issues using the strokes of his pencil.
The shock of learning of Obe Ess’s death has been immense. Still, I pray that the Almighty will grant him eternal rest, and comfort the larger Obe family on the transition of their glorious son.
Kingsley Osadolor, Esq.
Ifeanyi Mbanefo also had to say about his friend:
As Senior Sub Editor for The Guardian on Sunday, I admired two journalists for their unconventional style – Ake Didi Onu and Obe Ess. I considered them subversive, dropping their cartoons late on Friday nights, living in their own world, and occupying a spartan office that resembled a war room.
Initially, I didn’t warm up to Obe Ess, suspecting he deliberately submitted cartoons late to sneak them past editors.
However, his dark humor grew on me – he would skewer the words and actions of the powerful with effortless ease, like a black belt judoka redirecting energy to neutralize attacks.
His cartoons were always a slam dunk!
Laughter is a response we have when there’s a difference between what happens and what is expected.
Obe Ess’s craft contrasted the ridiculous with the normal, wasting no words.
Twenty years after leaving The Guardian, I discovered a surprising connection between Obe Ess and another friend named TO (Taiwo Obe) – they were brothers! My poor Yoruba skills and rearrangement of their first and surnames had blinded me to this fact. One was Taiwo Obe; the other One Ess. I didn’t know they were brothers until Obe Ess told me. Taiwo didn’t confirm it; he laughed mischievously when I phoned to confirm.
Obe Ess remained a lifelong friend, admired for:
1. His masterful editorial cartoons revealing great injustices
2. Sharp perspectives delivered through flawless artistry, biting prose, and crisp wit
3. Beautiful, daring cartoons tackling issues affecting disenfranchised citizens and calling out political hypocrisy
4. Making complex issues accessible to wider audiences through unique storytelling
5. And for his humanity and honesty.
I called him a “scientist” for dissecting government policies and rearranging them into comprehensible pieces. A First Principles thinker who breaks issues down to their basic most fundamental truths.
His dark humor was therapy to our compatriots – engaging with tragic situations without succumbing to depression.
When I wrote profiles excoriating the powerful under pseudonyms, Obe Ess praised my work – high praise indeed from someone who didn’t flatter easily. He graciously drew accompanying caricatures. I was indebted to him.
My experience with Taiwo Obe & Obe Ess taught me that brilliance and greatness are not monochromatic — they manifest in many forms, but there presence are instantly recognizable.
I miss my friend Obe Ess.
May his soul rest in peace.
— Ifeanyi Igwebike Mbanefo