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Nnamani,
Ayoola Commend the Nigerian Media
The vital
role the press plays in deepening and sustaining democracy was
highlighted at two unrelated events that took place in different parts
of Nigeria in January 2008.
In Ibadan,
the Oyo State capital in South-west Nigeria, Hon. Justice Emmanuel
Ayoola, (Retired), Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and
other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) called on journalists to see
themselves as the leading instrument for the sustenance of democracy in
Nigeria.
Justice
Ayoola delivered a lecture on January 5, 2008, at the end of year party
in organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State
Broadcasting Corporation (BCOS) Chapel in Ibadan
In his
paper entitled: “Contemporary Media Practice in Nigeria and Democracy”,
he said, “If democracy is to survive and be a fruitful concept, the role
of the media in sustaining it cannot be overemphasized. Certain issues
must be placed at the forefront of such endeavour. Primary of these is
the proper understanding of the concept of democracy by all, and the
nature of the media practice that can nurture democracy and create
favourable environment for it to thrive.”
He said
contemporary media should add more value and be positively driven rather
than being personality and negatively driven. According to him, “if the
contemporary media practice in Nigeria is to be of any value to the
society and democracy, media practice must become more value-driven
rather than personality-driven; it is obvious that the media can wield
both positive and negative impacts. A positive impact is one that is
focused on the general good. A negative impact is one that originates
from self-seeking goals.”
He noted
that the immediate challenges before the media right now was to crave
for a conducive environment for democracy to take root and become
sustainable through the enthronement of a culture of freedom of speech
and freedom of expression; government accountability and qualitative
civil society indirect participation in governance.
He
disclosed that the ICPC, in its fight against corruption practices in
the country, would ensure that the nation was not robbed of the true
dividend of democracy by the ‘selfish few who may want to abuse their
offices corruptly.’
“Our
commitment to popular fight against corruption is going to gain
momentum. It is going to become unfashionable to indulge in corrupt
practices. The movement of the people against corruption has started.
As the movement gains momentum, those who in the past have rejoiced will
soon realize that they were mistaken in misjudging the seriousness of
the campaign against the evil of corruption that has caused so much
misery to Nigerians,” he stated.
In Abuja, at the fifth edition of the Trust [newspapers] Annual Dialogue
with the
theme "Challenges of Democracy in Africa", held on January 17,
the
performance of the Nigerian media in the efforts to entrench democracy,
good governance and accountability in the country was again appraised.
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Former
Senate President, Ken Nnamani
In his paper entitled, "True Democracy is a sure Way Forward for
Africa", former Senate President, Dr Ken Nnamani commended the Nigerian
press for its patriotic role and the sacrifices it has made in speaking
out for democracy.
He commended the Nigerian press for the tremendous role it has played in
ensuring the return and deepening of democracy in Nigeria. He said he
found so much insight, encouragement and comfort in the Nigerian media,
especially during the contentious constitution amendment and the days
that followed.
He noted that Africa has witnessed unprecedented crisis and setbacks in
its match to true democracy and development adding that the challenges
of development facing the continent today are as a result of the abuse
of principles of democracy and the apparent failure of democratic
institutions.
Nnamani stated that only true democracy is the sure way forward for
Africa, stressing that the continent cannot sincerely lay claim to
operating democratic states when the very sacred principles of democracy
are absent and grossly abused.
He asserted that until African leaders allow political powers to flow
from the ballot boxes, the continent cannot attain democracy that will
engender transformative leadership in the continent adding that only
true democrats can sustain democracy.
Vice President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan, speaking through the Minister of
Information and communications, Mr. John Odey, stressed that the media
in Nigeria particularly the print media deserves commendation for the
vital role it played in the fight to deepen and sustain democracy in the
country.
He observed that the Nigerian public depends so much on the media to
educate and inform it.
Jonathan stated that the dialogue and its focus on the challenges of
democracy in Africa have come at no better time than now when most
African nations are facing the challenges inherent in a democracy;
whether transiting from military to civil rule, from one civilian
administration to another or consolidating democracy through good
governance and development.
He implore the media to highlight the information from the dialogue with
objectivity, sincerity and a deep sense of commitment to the Nigerian
project, with a view to addressing the challenges confronting the nation
in respect of sustaining democracy and ensuring good governance.
He commended Media Trust Ltd, publishers of the Trust newspaper titles
for instituting the annual dialogue with the objective of creating an
opportunity for Nigerians to follow the trend of government activities
designed to bring about development in addition to assisting in the
search for reliable socio-economic and political solution for the
advancement of Nigeria and the rest of Africa.
The
occasion attracted such statesmen as former Ghanaian President, Jerry
Rawlings and his wife, Mrs. Nana Rawlings; Former Head of state, Alhaji
Abdusalami Abubakar; former Senate President, Dr Ken Nnamani, Vice
President, Goodluck Jonathan represented by Minister of Information and
Communications, Mr. John Odey; Niger state governor, Dr Muazu Babangida
Aliyu among others.
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