Nigeria, Aug. 14 -- The phrase "Gentlemen of the Press" used for both male and female journalists, has no known origin. But it became popularised following the 1929 American film by Walter Huston, who portrayed the professional journalist as deprived of joys of ordinary life due to the exigencies of duty.

So, with time, the phrase acquired a universal application in public discourse as a form of greeting in which journalists are gathered. And despite the heroic efforts of the "Women Liber" in the profession, the phrase has endured as a standard greeting at press gatherings.

Surely, there are great women of the profession in history whose footprints far overshadow such gender resonances and whose solid contributions belie any claim to ma...