Tinubu’s October 1 address and his speech writers
By Nnamdi Nwigwe
The latest address to the nation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to mark the 64th Independence Anniversary of the country was a scandalous outing for his speech writers.
It hurts when some of us who belong to the communication profession watch helplessly as our job is so bastardized by civil servants who pretend to know it all.
If there are trained journalists and public relations personnel in the mythological Presidency, they have largely left the non-professionals to usurp their position and dabble in an area that is not theirs.
And they are making a huge mess of it.
Speech writing is an art, a genre in the bouquet of communication tools for those who possess the skill. It certainly isn’t for everybody. And the earlier our bureaucrats realize this the better.
The speech delivered by President Tinubu on October 1 fell far below standard in its conception, composition, articulation and presentation.
The concern here has precious little to do with the political content which public affairs commentators and politicians should bother themselves about.
Professional scripting of whatever was contained in the President’s Speech would have resonated differently with perceptive compatriots.
The unrelenting bashing which the head of state’s radio and television address has received so far from many Nigerians may be related more to the poor scripting than the self-assessment of his performance in office in 16 months!
To begin with, is there anything in the books that prevents public officers from writing their own addresses?
President Tinubu, for those familiar with his writings, has a command of the language and the appropriate spices to flavour his criticism of political opponents.
What he read to Nigerians as Independence Anniversary Speech was not composed by him. A bet can be taken on that.
The speech lacked depth, empathy, style and skill as far as speech writing is concerned.
It scarcely occurred to the civil servants that put the address together that it was meant to be presented to the world by the political leader of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation!
It may help for those who insist on writing speeches for their principals to consult libraries and archives and read speeches by Nigerian politicians like Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Chief S.L. Akintola and learn how to relate with the listening public by their choice of words.
It is most likely that over enthusiasm and the zeal to impress led imposters to sideline professionals in the Presidency who, by nature and training may not be able to hustle to grab jobs that truly belong to their constituency.
This is calling on the professional bodies to rise up to sanitize their areas of competence by openly reviewing activities like public addresses by our leaders.
They must make their professions relevant and respected by insisting that public communication and media functions are held by professionals who had undergone rigorous education and tutelage to earn their epaulettes.
Charlatans and imposters should be flushed out from public offices.
This can be achieved by demanding the publication of the professional credentials of officers to be employed in areas that require professionals.