By Staff Reporter.
For many Nigerians who grew up watching the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Ruth Benamasia-Opia remains one of the memorable faces of television broadcasting, remembered for her distinctive voice, elegant presentation and signature dreadlocks.
In a nostalgic tribute to the veteran broadcaster, KadunaBelongs to Us has revisited her remarkable career, from her early days in radio to her prominence on national television and subsequent roles in public service and the oil and gas industry.
Ruth began her broadcasting career in 1977 at Radio Nigeria in Enugu, shortly after completing secondary school. Her passion for the profession reportedly developed during childhood, when she watched television presenters, including during a period when her father, a diplomat, was posted to Nairobi, Kenya.
She later moved into television, joining the Nigerian Television Authority, where she established herself as a respected broadcaster.
Over the years, Ruth became associated with the prestigious 9 p.m. Network News and the popular current affairs programme Newsline, earning recognition among viewers who followed Nigerian television during that era.
However, her professional journey extended beyond the newsroom.
Between 2000 and 2001, she served as Commissioner for Information in Bayelsa State, bringing her communication experience into public service. She subsequently worked in the oil and gas sector as a community relations manager at Brass LNG.
In April 2016, Ruth made a return to television through Lagos Television (LTV), a development that rekindled memories of her years as one of Nigeria’s familiar broadcasting personalities.
Family and life away from the spotlight
Ruth is married to Professor Eric Opia, a former chairman of the Oil Mineral Producing Areas Development Commission (OMPADEC).
Their daughter, Weruche Opia, has pursued a successful acting career in the British entertainment industry.
Although Ruth has largely stayed away from the public spotlight in recent years, her professional journey reflects a career that transcended broadcasting and extended into governance and corporate relations.
Where is Ruth Benamasia-Opia today?
Reliable, recent public information about Ruth’s current activities remains limited. Her return to television in 2016, however, remains a notable milestone in the later chapters of her broadcasting career.
For many Nigerians who remember the golden years of NTA, her name evokes memories of an era when television presenters commanded attention with their distinctive voices, professionalism and unmistakable screen presence.
Ruth Benamasia-Opia remains a memorable figure in Nigeria’s broadcasting history, and her contribution to the development of television journalism deserves recognition.
Do you remember watching Ruth Benamasia-Opia on NTA? What do you remember most about her presentation style and the programmes she anchored? Share your memories in the comments.
Credit:KadunaBelongstous
