Kunle Ajibade
A former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba, on Wednesday in Lagos likened the risks in pursuing investigative journalism in Nigeria to fighting corruption.
He said both are very dangerous acts to pursue in the country.
Osoba spoke in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a Colloquium in honour of Mr Kunle Ajibade, to commemorate his 60th birthday.
The ex-governor, a former journalist, editor and newspaper administrator, who was the chairman of the occasion, stressed the dangers of investigative journalism.
According to him, digging beyond the surface by journalists has led to a number of fatalities in the country.
“It is as dangerous as fighting corruption in our country. They are both extremely dangerous,” he said.
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 day.
The event, under the theme: ‘A Brighter Future for Nigeria And How To Get There’, attracted media mogul, civil society organisations, lawyers and other prominent Nigerians, including Gov. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun.
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 event.
Mr Ajibade’s professional colleagues, who went through turbulent periods under both Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Sanni Abacha military regimes, including Sen. Babafemi Ojudu, Mike Awoyinfa, Owei Lakemfa, and others, were also on hand to lend support.
Presidential aspirant and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Mr Omoyele Sowore, was also in attendance.
Soyinka, Falana and Ofeimun, at the event, also dwelled on the dangers of investigative journalism, which made Ajibade famous.
They praised the author of the books titled: ‘Jailed for Life’ and ‘What a Country’, for his doggedness and commitment.
“I owe Kunle inestimable debt for dragging him into the dangerous terrain of investigative journalism, which he discharged with deep instigative zeal,” Soyinka said.
He, however, lamented that the job is yet to be over as the question of who corrupted the institutions remains germane.
“It is not enough to trace various bank accounts of a former Inspector General of Police, but where do all the monies come from?
“He was not even operating most of these accounts.
“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 queried.
Describing Ajibade as a pioneer of investigative journalism in Nigeria, Soyinka pointed out that the number of journalists killed in the pursuit investigative journalism is more than those killed covering war.
On his part, Ofeimun recalled Ajibade’s journey through journalism and various face-offs with military dictatorship, which culminated in his being sentenced to life in prison for treason.
NAN recalls that as many as 13 staffers from Ajibade’s TheNEWS group, were in various jails across the country at a particular time under the administration of General Abacha.
Ajibade was released after Abacha died in office in June 1998.
He was released in July 1998 by Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, Abacha’s successor.
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 journalism.
Mrs Fayemi, who stated that she was not attending to represent her husband, the Minister of Solid Mineral, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, also recalled her foray into investigative journalism with ‘Radio Kudirat’, where she was a broadcaster under a pseudo-name, ‘Iyuade’.
“Either for the good or for evil, we must remember that we would be remembered somehow.
“How do you want to be remembered?” was her admonition for continuous good to the society.
Falana, on his part, said that military training for all Nigerians should be considered.
He said this was in view of growing concerns over ceaseless fatal invasion of communities in the country by armed bandits.
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 Commission.
He insisted that by the provisions of section 214 of the Nigerian Constitution, the governors have powers to control the police.
“The only thing the Federal Government need to do is pay the salary of the Police.
“Over 300 assailants have been apprehended, but none has been prosecuted.
“This is the work of state attorney generals, not the federal government,” Falana said.
According to him, the governors are abdicating their responsibilities, and this is why the killings would continue.
“Murder is not a federal offence, but state’s,” he said.
Ajibade, who turned 60 on May 28, thanked the dignitaries and others for their turnout at the colloquium.
