By Oghenevwarhe Adogbeji
The Nigerian media cannot be captured. This was the assertion made by Dr. Nduka Otiono, an Associate Professor and Graduate Program Coordinator at the Institute of African Studies, Carleton University. He made this statement while delivering a keynote address at the inaugural virtual edition of the Jacksonites Professional Development Series Seminar, which took place on July 30, 2021.
The seminar which was attended by many professionals, including Jacksonites, across the globe had the theme “A Captured Media in an Insecure Nation: Democracy, Hate Speech and Free Speech on Trial?”
In his speech, Otiono noted that the right to freedom of expression as guaranteed and protected in Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria which is also enshrined in Article 19 of Universal Declaration on Human Right and Article 9 of the Africa Chapter on Human and People’s right is an indication that freedom of expression is a necessity. He said that the right to freedom of expression is a right and not a privilege.
According to the university don, the media in Nigeria remains one of the most vibrant and resilient in the world because some of them operate in a guerrilla fashion.
He said although the media in Nigeria has been suppressed by dictators as witnessed during the ENDSARS protest, the continued responses and resistance from the media points to the fact that the Nigerian media cannot be captured.
Dr. Otiono also said that Fake News and hate speech have been widely aided by the social media where at the touch of the button one can disseminate any information you wish to send to millions of people with access to the internet just about the same time.
According to him, at the dawn of the year 2000, many Nigerians looked forward to a progressive new age. The drivers of optimism were the promises of the new democratic Fourth Republic inaugurated on May 29, 1999 as well as developmental potentials of globalization, modernity and digital democracy. Twenty-five years and seven presidents into the new millennium, all the promises seem to have faded away, he said. Nigeria under the rule of President Muhammadu Buhari is currently deteriorating on the brink of state failure, he further said.
“Media appears captured in an insecure nation where Boko Haram terrorists and herders hold sway with impunity. Fake news and hate speech have become the unholy binary force that underpins social political communication.”
Reacting to the address, Mallam Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity corroborated Dr. Otiono’s assertion that the Nigerian media cannot be captured.
“You cannot kill the press; you cannot chain it. The press is vibrant and aggressive and it will continue to be so.” Garba said.
The maiden seminar which was planned and organized by alumni of the Department of Mass Communication, University of Nigeria, Nsukka also known as Jacksonites Worldwide Forum was well attended.
The virtual seminar was moderated by Barrister Kingsley Osadolor, an ex-Deputy Managing Director, Guardian Newspapers and the current host of the acclaimed Good Morning Nigeria news talk show.
The Chair of the Steering Committee, Chinedu Mba, in her opening remark said, “Today’s event is a proof of what a group of committed Jacksonites can do. We have come together across the globe to achieve something that is based on a shared vision and mission and what you are going to experience today is a proof of professionalism.”
She also noted that globally, Nigerians have risen as professionals making positive impact in the economies of their different host countries and pointed out that the spirit underscored what the seminar series was set to achieve. She explained that the Jacksonites professional Development Series was set to promote the personal and professional development of Jacksonites, professionals and students in communications and other sectors.
Prof. Pat Utomi, President of Jacksonites Worldwide, expressed his pleasure at being part of the maiden edition of the Jacksonites Professional Development Series Seminar. He believes this is the beginning of greater things to come.
Charles Okigbo, a renowned Communications Professor, expressed his delight at the success of the maiden edition. He said “…it pleases me to know that this is just the beginning, and I expect to see more.”
Dr. Chuks O. Enwerem, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, National Open University of Nigeria Abuja, who gave the closing remarks appreciated the Chair of the Steering Committee; Prof. Chinedu Mba, the Guest Speaker; Dr. Nduka Otiono, the Moderator; Barrister Kingsley Osadolor, as well as all participants for attending the inaugural seminar.
Some of the participants at the maiden edition include: Prof Charles Okigbo, Dr. Isah E. Momoh, Mallam Garba Shehu, Mr. Nn’emeka Maduegbuna, Dr. Chinedu Christian Odoemelam, Susan Eshett, Obi Emekekwue, Moshood Isamotu, Ugo Onuoha, and Ogechukwu Udeagha.
- Oghenevwarhe Adogbeji reported from Lagos