I met Mike Awonyinfa and Dimgba Igwe for the first time in the heyday of the Weekend Concord (a newspaper owned by the late business mogul and astute politician, Chief M.K.O. Abiola). Though the paper is now, defunct the impact it made on Nigeria’s socio-political life is still evergreen. It was this paper that made weekend newspaper journalism a delightful experience. I still remember with nostalgia the hot and spicy stories that made the headlines of the paper. Indeed it was a must-buy for many newspaper readers at that time. For me, it was like a weekend bible, as I read it with so much interest and concentration.

The friendship between Mike and Dimgba has floated on the same tempo and respectability up till this day. No wonder they appear inseparable: working together, sharing a common passion and interest, cooking and eating together, etc. Their friendship becomes enigmatic when one considers the fact that they do not come from the same tribe nor share any sanguine relationship. Their path first crossed when they came to work in Concord. They struck such affinity and camaraderie that many now see them as inseparable twosome.

I think C.S. Lewis read my mind when he said: “They may show great tenderness toward each other, but they face in the same direction – toward common projects, interests, goals – above all, toward a common Lord.”
Nobody could have captured the depth of Mike and Dimgba’s relationship more succinctly and accurately than Lewis: He hit the nail on the head and presented their relationship with such conviction and pin-point accuracy.

I am attracted to these two men because of their openness and truthfulness toward each other. I have watched them closely for so many years to detect any sign of insincerity, but have not yet noticed any. They have walked the same long and bumpy road to where they are today together, shared their lives together and stuck to each like leeches. Never in my entire life have I found this kind of relationship with so much trust and fidelity - not even between husband and wife!

It was in appreciation of all they have represented together that I have thought it nice to write something about them since they have devoted a greater part of their career writing about other people. Mike, in particular, has written dozens of articles on other people without any mention of his awesome personality and candour.
The 3-day FIB Group Retreat held in Neya Camp, my country home in Igbere, from February 7-9, 2008 offered me yet another opportunity to observe them at closer range. It was touching seeing them walk hand-in-gloves throughout the duration of the retreat. One could feel the sincerity and candidness of their friendship. It was this show of comradeship that made me conclude that nobody can separate them, not even their spouses.

I came in contact with these indefatigable and fiery journalists unplanned: It was a chance meeting, anyway. But within a short time, it had blossomed into a mutually-binding friendship that has survived till this day. We knew right away that we shared many things in common. They were the first to notice the journalistic instinct in me, especially my knack for exclusive reporting. They did not hesitate to engage me as a freelance reporter for their paper, the Weekend Concord, which they edited. This opportunity led me into the inner sanctuary of the journalism profession. I not only found it enthralling but stimulating and challenging. It was the interviews I had with prominent personalities within and outside Nigeria and which were generously carried by the Weekend Concord that triggered off my active interest in journalism.

By 1995, my interest in journalism had taken a deeper dimension such that I had contemplated establishing a publishing house. The first person I consulted and who I actually took to where the Sun Publishing is situated today was Ochereome Nnanna, a columnist with the Kirikiri-based Vanguard Newspaper then. At that time, the place served as a warehouse for Slok Group. For reasons best known to him Ochereome did not come on board to contribute to the successful birth of The Sun. I am surprised that he hasn’t been able to tell the world what really transpired between us in relation to The Sun.

It is not my intention to join issues with anybody here, but I have made this veiled reference to Ochereome to underscore the vision and courage of Mike and Dimgba, who despite obvious obstacles, worked vigorously for the actualization of The Sun dream. Today, The Sun has grown into the largest selling newspaper in Nigeria, less than six years on the newsstands.

Much of what has been achieved with The Sun is attributable to the inseparability of the two men. Though conservative and firm, they are still urbane, meek and humble. These qualities have made them seemingly unmanageable by their wives. Many may not believe it: Mike and Dimgba cook together and travel together. In fact, wherever you see one there you see the other. They are like Siamese twins.
All this has set my mind wondering whether a time will ever come when Mike and Dimgba can travel on separate flights, cook separately, and do other things differently. I wonder if that day will ever come!

The kind of bond holding the two can only be found between a couple who is totally altruistic, dependable and resilient. In my estimation, their friendship has weathered the storms and tornadoes because both of them have walked toward a common Lord just as C.S. Lewis has postulated. I agree with Lewis, after all, it takes the special grace of God for them to have worked together this far without destroying each other. In a society where many pride themselves in blackmail, debauchery, character-assassination, back-biting, it is a miracle that they have stood by each other all these years.

Agreed, as humans they are bound to disagree; but what makes the difference is their unending determination to overlook their shortcomings and work toward cementing their relationship with love. Love heals every wound, no matter how deep. If every relationship is based on Agape love there is no how extraneous forces can contend against it. It is love that binds God and man, making God overlook our trespasses and admit us into His fold after we have erred.
Mike and Dimgba share true love and affinity, and have great respect for each other. This, I think, is the secret of their lasting relationship.

Some people may want to know if they are proficient managers. I leave that in the public domain. Members of the public are in a better position to assess them more objectively. All I have attempted to do in this piece is to appreciate them and encourage them to remain steadfast and committed to their friendship.
To me, friendship is like imitating Christ; and Christ represents true friendship. What this means is that he who imitates Christ has opened the door to friendship. A loyal friend is an image of God, a precious jewel, and, like one’s pictures, should be placed in their best light. A friend will joyfully sing with you on the top of the mountain and silently walk beside you in the valley. Friendship is infectious. The trouble with us is that we wait to catch it from someone else when we can actually give others a chance to catch it from us.

Charles “T” Jones got it right when he said, “A friend is – a push when you’ve stopped; a word when you’re lonely; a guide when you’re searching; a smile when you’re sad; a song when you’re glad.”
Mike and Dimgba have epitomized all these germane qualities in their dealings with each other.
For me, I wish they could admit me to the secret enclave of their friendship to reveal to me what other things make them tick. I look forward to the day I can join them to cook and do some of those things that have elicited a deep appreciation of their persons in me.
For all I know, friends like Mike and Dimgba come once in a generation. Or do you think otherwise?.