In the 1990s I was a student at Arat Kilo Science faculty of AAU. I remember, early in the morning, a classmate of mine and I used to rush to the Ethiopian Press Agency’s (EPA) Library then found on the seventh floor of Berhanena Selam Printing Enterprise’s main building, for 5 first-comer individuals a day from the reading public were allowed admittance for perusal of the brain children of many journalists that popped up on the scene along the time lane.
A wide-array of books set aside, well-documented-and-catalogued EPA’s newspaper of different brand, presumably, EPA’s salient wealth, used to draw the attention of researchers that wanted to delve into the past as well as journalists and historians that sought references to corroborate their points. As journalist Alemeshet Kebede, running the Art Column of The Ethiopian Herald then, among others, was a frequenter of the library, from a distance, I did observe journalists have to dig deep to write articles. Little did I know then I will be in his professional shoe in the passage of time.
Among the multitude of reading choices, the Editorials of The Ethiopian Herald and also the articles of the Voice of Ethiopia drew my attention. It was sniffing for new words and scouting for connectors I did pore over the editorials, most of which displayed the art of persuasive writing.
I scoured the papers pursuant of the right collocation of words cognizant such bent is recommended for a critical reader that wants to join the ranks of acclaimed writers. More often than not, referring dictionaries, I deciphered the right meaning of words. It was in this pursuit of mine I stumbled on the editorials of the renowned journalist in the medium of the English language Yacob W/ Mariam, the first Ethiopian Editor-in-Chief of The Ethiopian Herald.
He addressed issues that cut across local, continental and global matters. His articles that lambasted apartheid, colonialism and imperialism and also maladministration as well as lopsided political landscapes here and abroad, on top of his critical views, enjoyed the limelight.
What stunned me most then and still astonish me is the facility of his pen. His language agility allowed him to use writings that effectively carried across the heavy messages encapsulated in them. Though I know him not in person I know him via his works.
If your enemy blows your head with a stone, you could not reciprocate in kind if you try to take even with a pebble. By the same token, reading between the lines Yacob brought into play the right language for the right target audience who were capable of reading between the lines .He often cut some to the bone using his pen in a display of ‘the pen is mightier that the sword.’ He used the right word and the right expression at the right place. When it comes to diction and collocation he was famed for hitting right on the nail. What a skill of outsmarting native writers in the language to be acquired!
Though at a ripe age, the demise of this great journalist is regrettable. Condolences from every corner are flowing to The Ethiopian Herald and family members
May Almighty sustain his bereaved family members, relatives and fans! A biography bearing his exemplary life in the sphere of journalism circle and his works is called for.
BY ALEM HAILU G/KRISTOS
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD 27 AUGUST 2023
