|
Journalists
Elected, Appointed Policy makers
As the nation’s democratic experience grows gradually and begins to be
consolidated, the rough edges not withstanding, more journalists have
been elected and some appointed into policy making positions in the
present political dispensation in Nigeria. There are presently no fewer
than five veteran journalists as national legislators and at least 30
others who have been appointed as Commissioners or special assistants on
media to State governments.
Those elected into the Senate include: Senator Smart Adeyemi, from Kwara
State; he was former national President of the Nigerian Union of
Journalists, (NUJ) and presently the Chairman, Senate Committee on
Federal character. Senator Ayogu Eze, from Enugu State is another
journalist; he had served as a former Commissioner for Information and
Culture in Enugu State. He is presently the Chairman, Senate committee
on Media and Public Affairs. Senator Chris Anyanwu, publisher of the
defunct The Sunday Magazine (TSM) is the Vice-Chairman of Senate
Committee on Defence/Army.
The House of Representatives has two in its rank: Honorable Eziuche
Ubani and Abike Dabiri. Honorable Ubani former senior editor of ThisDay
newspapers is the House Committee Chairman on Information and Media.
There are at least thirty journalists serving in advisory capacities in
the government ministries, parastatals and other public establishments.
The ink on his oath of office had barely dried when Alhaji Umaru Musa
Yar’Adua announced the appointment of Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi, former
editor of This day newspapers as his Senior Special Assistant on
Communication and Public Affairs. The Secretary to the Federal
Government, Alhaji Babagana Kingibe Also appointed Ms. Dupe Gbadebo as
adviser on media and communication. She was the former Managing Director
of the ‘O’odua’ States-owned (South-western, Nigeria) Sketch Newspapers.
The various State governments followed suit to announce their
Commissioners and Special Assistants on Media and Public affairs. In
Lagos State, Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola appointed Mr. Hakeem Bello,
former editor of Daily Times and National Interest
Newspapers as spokesman. Mr. Oma Djebah, of ThisDay newspapers
was appointed the Delta State Commissioner of Information
Others include, Mr. Wale Adedayo, who was appointed as the Special
Assistant on Media and Communication to Otunba Gbenga Daniel, governor
of Ogun State. Edo State, the heart beat of the nation has Mr. Tony
Ikpasaja former staff of The Punch newspapers and erstwhile
Personal Assistant to Chief Tony Anenih, Peoples Democratic Party’s
former Board of Trusties Chairman. Mr Adagbo Onoja, formerly of The
Nation newspaper was appointed the spokesman to the Jigawa State
Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido.
In Imo State, Mr. Steve Osuji, former editor of New Age
newspapers, and Mr. Pini Jasson of the Vanguard newspaper are
serving their State government. Ukuoha Kalu of Daily Sun
newspaper is the Special Assistant on Communication and Media to the
Abia State government. Vin Martins Obiora Ilo of Daar Communications is
in Enugu State while in Bayelsa State, Ima Niboro is the Special
Assistant on Communication to the Bayelsa State Deputy Governor.
Occupying these exalted positions, it is expected that they will not
only speak for their employers, but also be able to bring about changes
to promote betterment and protect media freedom.
|
