In any credible democratic setting, it is elementary knowledge that a
journalist is at liberty to think, decide and write on what is
believed to be independent opinion on an issue that is topical or of
common interest. However, it is also low in logic and intellect for
any journalist to assume that the right of free expression is a
license to convey baseless, superfluous and reckless aspersions
against some persons or group. Indeed, any journalist that assumes
such an exclusive preserve to create improper and unfair remarks
without just, rational and legitimate basis is huge joke and disaster
to professional journalism.
Unfortunately, the tendency of few journalists to misuse the seeming unbridled license extended to the practice of journalism is enormous minus for this honorable profession. This self styled journalism of advancing skewed motives and biased reporting is quite evident in this era of new media where it has become a common practice to publish articles without thorough investigation. Most of the time, this minority set of writers in their attempt to tarnish the reputation and dignity of their targets for self interest, write scurrilous articles
with conclusions that not only impute partiality but covey improper
motives. Sadly, such reports are converse to tolerable standards in
the conduct of proper journalism in Nigeria.
A telling example of such media negativity is found in a recent
article, titled ‘Gov Okowa, Goodbye to Second Term’ by one Fejiro
Oliver which was published in many online media. The write up which ought to have conveyed views that should provide credible reasons why the incumbent Governor Okowa of Delta State does not deserve a second term deviated entirely from readers’ expectation.
Rather it dwelled on
an unconnected but sensitive issue relating to Delta state Governor’s
unwillingness to go the usual old way of sharing money amongst
politicians and supposed friends including the writer, Fejiro. Frankly
put, it would not have even mattered whether or not the views
expressed in the article are in favour or against Governor Okowa as it
is a moral task of any responsible citizen in a democratic setting to
hold their elected leadership accountable and critique or interrogate
their policies which are considered bad. Unfortunately, the article on
prediction of 2019 Delta governorship elections is a far departure
from constructive analysis on Governor Okowa’s performance or
inadequacy in government.
That Oliver Fejiro’s article did not contain any meaningful
deconstruction of the efforts or otherwise of the Delta State
government is not strange but remains very disturbing and misleading
in this modern era where readers reach conclusions based on newspaper
opinions. The write up which did not offer readers any genuine basis
for judgement is best regarded as a work of fiction and deliberate
attempt to advance deception through journalism. According to the
writer’s comments on Governor Okowa, “As a governor, he’s extremely
nice and dedicated to work. He has the heart of gold to deliver
prosperity to Deltans. He has the desire to truly make Delta the hub
of industrialization and a commercial city of repute, but
unfortunately swallowed by unseen hands that manipulate him”. These
remarks on Governor Okowa are very conflicting, self contradicting and
may not even call for any meaningful argument on the topic.
Unequivocally, from this singular narrative, it is obvious that the
writer’s major focus was certainly not do any honest analysis on the
Okowa’s administration or on what it portends for the people of Delta
state but to pour a baggage of criticisms on the aides of the
Governor. Infact, it is very twisty, crude and unrefined for any
responsible journalist to describe a Governor as good, yet openly
stimulate fears into him that he is carrying burning coals in his
hands because money is not being shared to persons termed political
supporters.
Granted that in a democracy, it is the right of any person to express
personal views on issues but from additional comments in Fejiro’s
article, the substance in his allegations against Governor Okowa’s
aides is of little value to good governance and appraisal of an
administration’s performance. Actually, If the real intent of the
article was to embarrass and infuse confusion in the minds of the
public about Delta State Government’s estimation, then the writer
foundered on his weak ability to find quality logic and proof. His
introduction of half truths that have no relevance to evaluating
Okowa’s governance clearly buttresses the assumption that the
assessment of Governor Okowa’s leadership was not a major interest.
Specifically, Fejiro’s political write up which lays great emphasis on
Governor Okowa’s defiance to ‘share the money’ after his claim of
personal meeting in which he proffered suggestions that have not been
implemented probably for Delta State resources to be transferred to
individual pockets of politicians and appointees is not only dubious,
wicked but exposes his myopic and selfish interest which does not
serve common good. Fejiro’s lack of understanding that it is no longer
business as usual is because he may not possess an analytical mind to
do a simple analysis of the Delta State troubling financial situation
nor can he understand that the nation’s recession era has a direct
proportionate impact on the State’s revenue especially in the period
where militant activities have affected oil derivation revenue and by
extension resources of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development
Commission, DELSOPADEC’ which he mentioned has been deprived of
appropriate funding. The question herein, is what nature of
development one should expect without cessation of violence.
In fact, Fejiro’s engagement in journalism based on distortion of
facts to advance non-objective criticisms is very unacceptable. The
writer’s spotlighting of Governor Okowa’s aides whom from several
accounts refused to recognise him as a credible journalist or
patronize his demands is outright blackmail and extortion on the part
of Fejiro. This was even affirmed by the writer in his remarks on his
interaction with the Delta State Commissioner for Economic Planning,
Kingsley Emu whom he mocked and adjudged as being a mediocre in
politics for the disclosure that ‘the governor has blocked the
loopholes through which funds are siphoned’. Perhaps, this private
discussion could have taken place when Fejiro went soliciting for
financial support.
Besides the above postulations and facts, truly, if Fejiro was of
stable mind, he would have known that there would be historical
obstacles to his career in the type of journalism he practices. The
point herein is that if he thinks that time would have healed his self
inflicted wounds or blocked our memory on his past misdeeds, he has
certainly failed on such assumptions by his quick return to public
forum of controversy. Infact, any time I read stories by Oliver
Fejiro, I wonder at his claims of being an investigative reporter
without an intrinsic probing mind and knack for details. If really,
investigative journalism were to be all about engaging in loose
reporting ethics and blackmail, then Fejiro is on a good track.
Otherwise, he may just be counted as one of those that integrity means
little to and would at any slight opportunity use such a title of
investigative journalist to advance sinister motivations.
Indeed, it is actually shocking that Fejiro forgets that when he
writes and publishes on new media, his old articles are readily
available for review and critique. Indeed, after reading some of his
previous articles where he praised the actions of Governor Okowa and
his aides, my guess now is that his initial idea was to pretentiously
promote the government with the expectation that so much millions of
naira will be tossed in his pocket. Obviously, when this ploy did not
yield immediate harvest, he reverted to his plan B by terming Governor
Okowa “a promise and fail politician” and began to attack the many
aides of Governor. Unfortunately, for him, these aides may be more
clever than he had rated them as they have little or no respect for
him given his ugly antecedent of failed attempt at extorting the
former Governor of Niger State, Babangida Aliyu, an incident which was
foiled by the gallant officers of the Department of State Services and
was widely reported in National news media.
From all superior logic, Fejiro cannot be regarded as an asset to
credible media and journalism in Nigeria. Certainly, he is not the
everyday journalist that is satisfied with “thank you for coming’
brown envelop even in all its dishonorable forms. Rather, he runs a
media outfit a.k.a ‘Secret Reporters’ which he purports conducts
investigative journalism but in reality it is a phony scheme with a
special agenda that is alleged to be a first class brand of
blackmailers which not only churns out negative stories but
manufactures lies to make them look like truth against individuals he
has marked out for extortion.
That the aides of a governor are not collaborating with a particular
journalist cannot be termed a political negative against such a
Governor but Fejiro definitely feels different on this and he is
entitled to his opinion. Nevertheless, from every good judgement and
wisdom, it is easy to decipher that there is a bit more to Fejiro’s
motivation in journalism. Particularly, his remarks that some persons
in Delta State are not happy probably because money is not being
distributed, suggests that Fejiro must be seen as he is, a nagging
worry for more money. His deliberate, motivated and calculated attempt
to bring down the image of the Governor in the estimation of the
public because of self aggrandizement is quite disappointing too.
Any credible journalist should be aware of the diminished economic
situation in Delta state as an oil producing State but to Fejiro,
everything else is less important including the Governor’s attempt in
tackling the high levels of poverty and ensuring equity through the
new job creation initiative, improved security, construction of link
roads in all sections of the State, appointment of political
appointees across the state, facilitation of visible major
socio-economic development, struggle to ensure monthly salary are
paid to over sized sixty thousand civil servants, bridging gap in
communication with the governed through establishment of a very
vibrant Orientation Directorate and credible efforts to sustain on
going economic empowerment of youths and women. In truth, if Fejiro
was not blinded by falsehoods, he would have noticed that all these
bear testament to the quality leadership of his state Governor that
operates with less than a third of monthly revenue earned by his
predecessors. In any case, such achievements remain a visible chapter
in the Governor Okowa’s less than two years stay in office and are
signposts of developments ahead.
Specifically, on Fejiro’s ranting on Governor Okowa’s appointment his
personal aides from his region, I doubt if any politician will resist
the temptation to do what is needful provided it does not affect the
even distribution of major appointments across the State. Fejiro’s
reference on alleged payment of two billion naira for Asaba airport
safety enhancement by the State Government is false. In fact, from
this it is obvious that Fejiro is a man that is comfortable with
conflicts and engages in a spiral of distortion of facts. Perhaps,
this could have been his reason for stating that a project which is
contractor financed through a bank guarantee and under the direct
supervision of certified experts by the Nigerian Aviation Authorities
has been paid for. Again, his analysis on Delta Sports Commission is
clear exhibition of ignorance because what the former Governor
Uduaghan disbursed as monthly grant to the Commission through his in
law, Amaju Pinnik which Fejiro referenced to as a performer is more
than what the present leadership of the same Sports Commission has
collected in the past one year despite the fact that it being headed
by Tony Okowa, a seasoned politician and brother of Governor Okowa.
This is where it is expected that the fundamental action for Governor
Okowa’s media aides should be to call for an end to Fejiro’s impunity
and engagement in falsehood by providing credible evidence to counter
Fejiro’s many lies especially given that a lie becomes truth when it
is repeated without objection.
From Fejiro’s antecedent, he appears like a man trapped in a lazy
world of blackmailers that use the media to persuade people to think
and behave in a certain manner that will ensure that money is
disbursed to him. Indeed, his style of journalism not only makes a
caricature of many credible unbiased media outfits that erroneously
publish his lies but creates anxiety in the minds of the reading
people on the quality and integrity of Nigerian journalism. The only
comfort herein, is that Fejiro’s practice of journalism will in little
or no time be crushed by greed and selfishness.
Fejiro’s unceasing desire to write Okowa’s government to tatters with
a plethora of half truths cannot change the reality in Delta State
recent improvements. In truth, Ifeanyi Okowa may not really be an
angel in politics because it is calling where angels don’t thrive,
however, he remains a man that stands head and shoulders above his
predecessors given his leadership style and work done with minimal
resources. For now, let the leadership in Delta State remain focused
and undistracted by Fejiro’s tricks as 2019 elections will confirm the
veracity of claims in favour or against Governor Okowa.
Dr. Ephraim Okwuosa
Co-ordinator, Anti Corruption Advocates, Area 11, Garki, Abuja
