End of an era as titan of Defence Journalism takes a bow By Abdullahi O Haruna Haruspice

It is not every day that a newsroom says goodbye to one of its pillars.

But on August 15, 2025, The Guardian Newspapers will close a historic chapter as Sunday Odita, Head of Defence & Security Affairs, steps away after nearly 24 years of distinguished service.

His departure marks the end of an era — one defined by courage under pressure, professionalism without compromise, and a rare passion for truth in the service of the public.

For more than two decades, Odita has been the trusted voice chronicling Nigeria’s defence and security landscape. In war rooms and press rooms, at military briefings and on dusty roads to conflict zones, he stood where the story was, giving readers a clear, factual, and humane account of events. His pen has been a bridge between the armed forces and the public, his reports often shining a light where official silence preferred darkness.

Colleagues speak of his calm in the face of breaking crises, his meticulous eye for detail, and his deep sense of responsibility to both the profession and the nation.

To young reporters, he has been a mentor; to security insiders, a fair but firm chronicler; and to readers, a dependable guide in the often murky waters of Nigeria’s security narrative.

Yet, even icons feel the pull of new horizons. In a deeply personal reflection, Odita explained that his decision to leave was made after “deep reflection and heartfelt discussions” with his family.

While his years at The Guardian have been “immensely rewarding,” he now feels “an undeniable call to embrace new frontiers” more closely aligned with his passions and long-term vision.

Those new frontiers include the expansion of his independent multimedia platform — Razornewsng.com, RazorNews Magazine, and Razor Newspaper — as well as Razor Media Company, a public relations and image management brand. It is a bold leap from the structured discipline of the traditional newsroom to the entrepreneurial freedom of independent media and strategic communication.

In the corridors of The Guardian, his departure will be felt not just in empty desk space, but in the silence left by a voice that has been both watchdog and witness to history.

In the wider journalism community, his exit from the daily grind is a reminder that while institutions endure, the people who give them soul eventually move on to new callings.

Sunday Odita leaves with our profound respect, gratitude, and admiration. He departs not in retreat, but in advance — moving toward a new stage of influence, equipped with the same values that made him a legend here: integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to truth.

The headlines he will write from now on will be under a different masthead. But his byline, wherever it appears, will still carry the weight of trust earned over a lifetime.

Farewell, Sunday Odita. The newsroom will not be the same without you.

Proudly musing