Osoba: Investigative journalism, like fighting corruption, dangerous in Nigeria
News & Trends •
describing ajibade as a pioneer of investigative journalism in nigeria soyinka pointed out that the number of journalists killed in the pursuit of investigative journalism is more than those killed covering war1 former governor of ogun state chief olusegun osoba on wednesday in lagos likened the risks in pursuing investigative journalism in nigeria to fighting corruption1 osoba spoke in an interview with the news agency of nigeria nan on the sidelines of a colloquium in honour of mr kunle ajibade who clocked 601 the ex-governor a former editor journalist and newspaper administrator who was the chairman of the occasion stressed the dangers of investigative journalism1 according to him digging beyond the surface by journalists has led to a number fatalities in the country1 it is as dangerous as fighting corruption in our country. they are both extremely dangerous he said1 osoba during the colloquium called for open ballot electoral system in the country which produced him as governor against the preference of political godfathers of the day1 the event under the theme a brighter future for nigeria and how to get there attracted mediamen civil society organisations lawyers and other prominent nigerians including gov. rauf aregbesola of osun1 nobel laureate prof. wole soyinka poet mr odia ofeimun mrs bisi fayemi mr femi falana san former president of civil liberties organisation ms ayo obe amb. tokunboh awolowo-dosunmu were also at the event1 mr ajibades professional colleagues who went through turbulent periods under both gen. ibrahim babangida and sani abacha military regimes including sen. babafemi ojudu mike awoyinfa owei lakemfa and others were also on hand to lend support1 presidential aspirant and publisher of sahara reporters mr omoyele sowore was also in attendance1 soyinka falana and ofeimun spoke at the event dwelling on the dangers of investigative journalism which made ajibade famous1 they praised the author of the books titled jailed for life and what a country for his doggedness and commitment1 i owe kunle inestimable debt for dragging him into the dangerous terrain of investigative journalism which he discharged with deep investigative zeal soyinka said1 he however lamented that the job is yet to be over as the question of who corrupted the institutions remains germane1 it is not enough to trace various bank accounts of a former inspector general of police but where do all the monies come from1 he was not even operating most of these accounts1 there is a nexus between this expose and how elections are rigged in the country. who corrupted the ig why is it so difficult to pursue the original owners of the loot soyinka queried1 he said both are very dangerous acts to pursue in the country1 on his part ofeimun recalled ajibades journey through journalism and various face-offs with military dictatorship which culminated in his being sentenced to life in prison for treason1 nan recalls that as many as 13 staffers at thenews group were in various jails across the country at a particular time under the administration of general abacha1 ajibade was released after abacha died in office in june 19981 he was released in july 1998 by gen. abdulsalami abubakar abachas successor1 others at the colloquium including prof. kingsley moghalu sam omatseye ayisha osori idowu obasa and lai babatunde san also spoke in similar vein on investigative journalism1 mrs fayemi who stated that she was not attending to represent her husband the minister of mines and steel development dr. kayode fayemi also recalled her foray into investigative journalism with radio kudirat where she was a broadcaster under a pseudo-name iyuade1 either for good or for evil we must remember that we would be remembered somehow1 how do you want to be remembered was her admonition for continuous good to the society1 falana on his part said that military training for all nigerians should be considered1 he said this was in view of growing concerns over ceaseless fatal invasion of communities in the country by armed bandits1 falana also said that the state governors had a role to play in improving security in their respective states especially with their presence in the police commission1 he insisted that by the provisions of section 214 of the nigerian constitution the governors have powers to control the police1 the only thing the federal government needs to do is pay the salary of the police1 over 300 assailants have been apprehended but none has been prosecuted1 this is the work of state attorney generals not the federal government falana said1 according to him the governors are abdicating their responsibilities and this is why the killings would continue1 murder is not a federal offence but states he said1 ajibade who turned 60 on may 28 thanked the dignitaries and others for their turnout at the colloquium1