ESSENTIALS OF A CULTURE COMMUN

The hero-presence in a creation story is sometimes so significant that it becomes possible to engage with the whole story as a conflation of related hero-narratives. In this sense, the modern origins of arts journalism in Nigeria can be constructed in the image of BEN TOMOLOJU, its most distinguished local luminary, and some of his contemporaries. The Tomoloju story is significantly the pioneering story of the modern practice in Nigeria. It was thus fitting tribute that in celebrating his 50th birthday in late 2004, his media colleagues also find inspiration for a serious evaluation of the practice he gave his name (Afam Akch, Position: International Arts Review, Vol.3 Number 3). On occasion of his 60th birthday, some of his mentees, colleagues and admirers have contributed the articles (some reflecting on his contribution to arts and culture journalism, others tracing the trajectory of culture Journalism in Nigeria and by extension in Africa) in this volume that is designed to serve as useful resource book for students-and researchers in Culture Studies and Communication Arts.