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University Don tasks journalists to speak truth to power in interest of developmet
A former Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye Ekiti, Professor Shola Omotola has urged Nigerian journalists to always speak to power and hold leaders accountable in the interest of national development.
He stated this in a paper he presented at a 2-day retreat which was organised by Senate press corps on Saturday at Al-Ivari Hotel, Keffi in Nassarawa State.
In his paper presentation titled: “Developmental Impact of the Executive on Nigeria’s Democracy, 1999 – 2024”, he said successive elected governments at the federal level since May 1999, have by policy formulation and execution, tried to effect development across the sectors but failed in the area of poverty alleviation, let alone, eradication.
The failure to effectively tackle poverty among Nigerians by successive governments according to him, has made development, as a vital component of democracy, to be substantially missing in Nigeria over the years.
“The theme of the retreat, “Democracy and Development: How far, So far, for Nigeria?”, is, therefore, very apt, timely and cogent.
“Democracy and development are inextricably interconnected and must flow together , the very reason why journalists in Nigeria , need to speak truth to Power in making it so , in Nigeria .
“Development is basically about the people reaching an acceptable standard of living, having the basic things on which they need to live decently – housing, shelter, clothing, food -nutritionally balanced diet, portable water, clean environment, etc.
“All hindrances to these in Nigeria from corruption to bad policies, need to be exposed from time to time by journalists who are the watchdogs of the society”, he said.
He however added that for Nigeria to have sustained the practice of Democracy for more than 24 years and remaining as an entity , show that development would surely follow.
In his remarks at the retreat, the President of the Senate , Godswill Akpabio , represented by Chairman , Senate Committee on Media and Public Affairs , Senator Yemi Adaramodu, APC Ekiti South, said the Senate under his leadership , would not deny any journalist , access to information for ventilation to the larger society as provided for, by the FOI Act.
Also the Clerk to the National Assembly , Sani Magaji Tambawal , represented by Secretary, Research and Information, Mr Ali Umar , said since Democracy provides a more favourable environment for development, management of the National Assembly, will continue to provide conducive working environment for journalists for very balanced and objective reportage.
But Chairman , Senate Committee on Public Accounts , Senator Ahmed Aliyu Wadada. SDP Nasarawa West, said for development to flow with Democracy in Nigeria , Nigerians need to move away from sentimental reasoning and conducts, by in actual fact , being our brother’s keeper.
“Discriminatory tendencies among Nigerians of all ages and status must stopped, for genuine development to take place and for the country to remain more united and peaceful”, he stressed.
Operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS), have arrested two principal suspects involved in the killing of 16 Nigerians of Northern extraction in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government last week.
The suspects were arrested by operatives of the DSS in Uromi, following credible intelligence. Operatives of various security agencies are hunting for other key suspects involved in the unfortunate incidents
Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, had on Monday in Kano State, during a condolence visit, revealed that 14 suspects had already been arrested in connection with the killing.
Governor Okpebholo who visited the State to condole with the Government and families of the victims, had vowed that justice will be served and those involved in the killing will be brought to justice.
Governor Okpebholo had also assured families of the victims that adequate compensations will be paid.
In the latest development, the two principal suspects arrested by officials of the DSS, have been transferred to Abuja, the nation’s capital, for further interrogation and prosecution by the relevant authorities.
A Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso has been acquitted of rape after spending eight years in prison in South Africa.
Trouble started when the televangelist was accused of raping young women from his South African church, an accusation he denied when he was arrested eight years ago.
His trial was aired live I South Africa and gained interest across the country, but insisted that he was not guiltynof 32-count charges against him.
In 2018, one witness told the court she had been raped by the pastor – who ran a church in the city of Port Elizabeth – when she was 14 years old.
The presiding judge on Wednesday 1st April, 2025 delivered judgement, saying Pastor Timothy Omotoso has not bèn found guilty over this case because prosecutors had mishandled the case.
South Africa’s National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) shared a similar assessment, saying that “former prosecutors in the case acted improperly and the accused were not sufficiently cross-examined by the state”.
The NPA said it will now “consider its legal options”.
For his part, Mr Omotoso told the media he thanked God for the verdict.
His co-accused, Lusanda Sulani and Zikiswa Sitho, were also found not guilty.
Mr Omotoso was dramatically arrested at an airport in 2017 as he sought to leave the country.
His trial was the first prominent rape case to be broadcast live in a country where sexual violence is rampant.
The hearings attracted huge interest, and raised difficult questions about victims’ rights, impartiality and whether justice is best served by having television cameras in courtrooms.
Following Wednesday’s verdict, Mr Omotoso will be deported to Nigeria, South African media outlet News24 reported.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has declared that it has been vindicated by recent revelations from the state’s former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke.
The Rivers APC Chairman, Chief Tony Okocha, stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists on Wednesday.
The former Head of Service, who recently resigned had alleged that the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was directly responsible for the political crisis in the state and the bombing of the State House of Assembly.
In response, the Rivers State APC asserted that Nwaeke’s testimony aligns with the party’s long-held position, as frequently stated by Chief Okocha, that the suspended governor was the architect of the state’s political crisis, including masterminding the October 29, 2023, bombing of the State House of Assembly.
Chief Okocha further emphasized that Nwaeke’s account, given his high-ranking position in the state, cannot be dismissed as mere speculation.
He said attempts to discredit the former Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the alleged corruption and misconduct that the APC has repeatedly highlighted.
“What is most interesting to the APC in Rivers State as a responsible political party is that Dr. George Nwaeke’s revelations and testimonies of how suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his squad bombed the Rivers State House of Assembly is an eye witness account.
“Again , it has clearly vindicated the APC in Rivers State as the only visible and viable opposition political party in the State, and has cemented the love for the party in the heart of well meaning Rivers people as the voice of the voiceless, and the hope for a better Rivers State.
“The revelations made by the former Head of Service in Rivers State has further positioned her as a political party with high level of integrity, and the hope of Rivers people for a viable alternative to produce the Governor of Rivers State in 2027.
“The verbal attacks staged against the resigned Head of Service will not deter him from exposing the corruption within Sim Fubara’s administration, which we have consistently highlighted as the opposition party. On this matter, the APC shall function as watchdogs”, the party stated.
Chief Tony Okocha expressed confidence that security agencies would thoroughly investigate the matter.
“The APC in Rivers State strongly believes that the relevant security agencies will be professional enough to get to the root of the matter and make their findings public”, he said.
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