By Sunday Adeyemi
I really miss you, Solkem.
Words will always fall short in describing this painful and irreversible loss. Death came too soon, snatching away a brother, a friend, a mentor, and a media colossus whose footprints will remain indelible on the sands of Nigerian journalism.
Our paths crossed 23 years ago during a special project for Ikeja Local Government. What was meant to be a one-time assignment turned out to be the beginning of a lifelong friendship. From that day, a bond was formed that grew stronger with time. What started as a professional collaboration eventually blossomed into brotherhood.
Solkem, you were not just a colleague in the media; you were family. For 23 years, we laughed together, planned together, struggled together, and celebrated together. You opened doors for many of us and never made anyone feel small. That was the kind of man you were—big in vision, yet humble in heart.
One of the greatest lessons I learnt from you was your signature counsel: “Sunday, trust nobody.” When you first said it, I laughed. But over the years, I came to understand the wisdom behind those words. You said it not out of bitterness, but out of experience. You had seen the media terrain, mentored people, built people, and understood how the game was played.
That simple statement has stayed with me. It has guided my steps, influenced my decisions, and shaped my relationships within the industry. Even now that you are gone, your voice continues to echo in my head.
As the Publisher of Access Weekly Magazine, you redefined celebrity and society journalism. You gave the magazine a voice, a face, and a standard. Under your leadership, Access Weekly became a brand that commanded respect. You had an eye for compelling stories, an eye for talent, and an eye for excellence. You believed journalism should not only inform but also inspire and celebrate people who were making a positive difference.
As the Convener of the Nigeria Media Nite Awards, you created a platform that recognised and celebrated hard work in the media industry. You believed journalists, publishers, and media entrepreneurs deserved to be celebrated too. Through the awards, you put smiles on people’s faces, recognised those whose contributions often went unnoticed, and raised the bar for media professionalism in Nigeria.
That legacy will outlive us all.
Solkem, you were a man of loyalty. Once you called someone your brother, you stood by them. You were generous with your knowledge and often picked up calls at odd hours to guide younger colleagues. You corrected without insulting. You challenged without tearing people down. You could be tough on the outside, but you had a very soft heart. That was one of the reasons people loved and respected you, even when you were firm.
It is painful to accept that you are no longer with us. The last conversations we had, the last jokes we shared, and the last plans we made now feel like precious memories I must hold tightly.
I keep asking myself: “Why now? Why so soon?”
But I take solace in the fact that God’s ways are not our ways.
My brother, you fought a good fight. You served the media industry well. You served your family well. You served your friends well. You lived a life of impact, and that is what truly matters.
Today, the media space feels emptier without you. Access Weekly will miss its visionary. Nigeria Media Nite Awards will miss its convener. Your colleagues will miss your counsel. And I will deeply miss your calls, your banter, your wisdom, and your brotherly love.
But I take comfort in this: you lived, you impacted lives, and you left a legacy.
Now, those of us you left behind must carry the baton and continue the work you started.
Solkem, my brother, I will always miss you.
Sleep well in the bosom of the Lord. May God grant your family, your team at Access Weekly, your colleagues, friends, and all of us in the media the strength and fortitude to bear this great loss.
Until we meet again on resurrection morning, rest on, great publisher, friend, brother, and media icon.
Your Friend and Brother,
Sunday Adeyemi
Publisher, Society Herald Magazine & Online
