On the verge of nationalism, which was pioneered by mostly educated Nigerians, journalism had been a vital weapon which broke the backbone of the white colonialists in Africa and most especially in Nigeria. You are wondering why?
Yes, simply because while some African states were craving for war to free themselves from the shackles of the exploited, greedy and callouse colonial masters, Nigerian elites employed a means of propaganda and exposure of the colonialists bad actions through journalism.
Two out of the three major tribes leaders chaired different newspapers firms.
Nigerian Pilot was owned by Chief Obafemi Awolowo while Nnamdi Azikwe popularly called "ZIK", after working in different newspapers firms like, Philadelphia Tribune, Baltimore Afro-American, Associated-Negro; Azikiwe wrote "The Inside Stuff by Zik", a column in which he preached radical nationalism and black pride that raised some alarm in colonial circles in African Morning Post newspaper. Then, in later days, he created his own newspaper. We all know it. West African Pilot? Yes.
Azikwe on his own, fashioned his newspaper to motivate nationalism in Nigeria and I think that was the same motive of Baba Awo.
Thank God, they won because of the major impacts of journalism in the journey of independence.
Journalism, apart from being a war weapon which Nigerian Nationalists used to crumble the spinal cord of the British government in Nigeria and in other African countries, cannot be sidelined in a country where humanity is her priority because it is the voice of the people, the government, and the world entirely.
But, something used to amaze me. Why do people believe much in journalism than their Creator, literally? You are wondering as well? They will do because it exposes the nooks and crannies of any government administration of every countries:
That was when Journalism was still alive!
You know why? Okay.
Because since the silence of Dele Giwa through a bomb letter, Journalism had died and long gone in Nigeria. Those that we have in journalism now are not journalists.
What are they?
Some gullible politician dogs and hungry people with pens and scripts.
Some are junks who twist lies to suit their lords and payers. Both online and offline.
There are notable people among them whom I respect, a lot. Don't sue me yet.
Some are religious fanatics, extremists, bigots, tribalists and gender discriminationist people in the media house. They will never want anything to tarnish their religions, their beliefs, their tribes or genders.
When a matter arises and it has any connection to their interests, their payers, their lords, they will find all means to cover it up with lies, yes I've witnessed some.
But, if it is their oppositions that fall victim, they will read and write and broadcast with relish like savoring chicken stew on their dining tables.
What a shame!
They are just too indolent to do findings and get facts. They copy and paste from social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and other websites. They believe in people's blogs and write ups.
I came across a screenshots of a popular media handle in Nigeria calling out for someone to call them and report an incident that happened in Lagos to them. What if he/she added to the story? They would report like that and called it a news.
What a pity!
This reminds me a scenario that happened in my area some time like 2 years ago, if I don't miscount it.
There is a woman that sells fried and smoked fish at a market junction of my hood. She buys fish in cartons and this was how it happened that day. She was busy unpacking the fish from the ice and putting them into water.
All of a sudden, she noticed that one of the fish was breathing and swimming. Then, she gave a closer look at the creature, it was totally different from being a fish. It could never be a fish because of its structure. As it was described by someone who went to see it after the woman had given an outcry of "Marmaid": the creature had seven long fleshy legs, two eyes at its forehead and something like beads surrounded its neck.
I was with my friend, Ridwan Oladimeji Ojo (Hodzoporium) and her mum. We were astonished as we saw a crowd running heter-sketer to where the "Marmaid" was found. So far, nobody wanted to buy the second-hand story of the scene.
We didn't make a move but we pleaded a woman to manage and snap the creature.
Not long after, the woman came with the picture and we gave a closer look at it. It was not different from an "Octopus". We said, "Octopus."
Hodzoporium's mum was looking at us and wondering why we said that.
Then, Hodzo took out his laptop and he browsed out "Octopus" from Google.
Ta-da! It resembled their acclaimed "Marmaid"
"But why it hasn't died till that moment?" asked, mum.
We explained where Octopus stays in the ocean- at the depth of an ocean and which is the coolest part of it. It was as if it was still in its abode by being in the ice. They agreed.
Later on, I heard that the "Osun Worshipers" came to the woman for rites and that she would die, if it yonder seven days. Ọjọ́ méje?
Their beliefs, though.
The most painful parts wasn't that, but of the police that arrested the woman. For what? I was just laughing.
Nigeria is a joke!
And, it was 2 O'clock of that day.
There is a news here in Ìbàdàn at that particular time in Yorùbá language. Everybody listens to it.
All of a sudden, I heard the newscaster reading out the incident like this:
"There is a bizarre news about a" Marmaid" found in... "
I was astonished, ran to Hodzoporium's house and told him. We were disappointed in the Nigerian Journalism.
What would it take them (Both the police and the journalists) to investigate the matter and educate the people on their ignorance?
So far, we can see some irritating headlines on social media here. Bad grammatical structures, wrong tenses and lot of more, journalism is dead.
Journalists need to roll up their sleeves and get to their basic functions rather than eyeing exhorting cars and luxurious lives which are vanities upon itself. If you die on propagating truth, your names are unforgettable, and will be carved on gold plaques of our country heroes and heroines.
© D.O Isma'eel
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