Date Published: 05/25/09
Re: Yar'adua's Midterm Report Card -Sahara Reporters
By Joshua Ocheja
This is the second time Joshua Ocheja will be commenting on the activities of Sahara reporters and its news coverage of Nigeria. I was so irritated to say the least when I saw a mockery of Mr. President displayed boldly titled “midterm report”.
My fellow Nigerians, this is the height of gross disrespect for our dear country. Sahara reporters are not the only online forum disseminating information about the decadence in the Nigerian polity. The question I would like to ask is this: what is the problem with Sahara reporters?
We have our challenges as a nation and as a people, we are faced with stories and tales of corrupt practices almost on a daily basis in this country, oh yes we are in trouble, but pause for a minute and reminisce on the meaning of patriotism. The love for and of one’s country!!
Am tired my people, am going crazy, I need help, I can’t afford three square meal, my house rent is due and my landlord is barking at me, my kids are out of school for the obvious reason, my account is in red, my clothes are begging for replacement, my wife is expectant, yet I live in Nigeria and believe in Nigeria. I sit and pray, I joined the prayer band in my church and we pray fervently for Nigeria at every meeting.
But I have never for one day lost faith in my country nor have the effrontery to insult my parents; I was brought up in Nigeria and was thought to always respect my elders come what may. That was and is the orientation I grew up with, that has sustained me in the face of challenges and tribulations.
But why should Sahara reporters throw caution into the wind and result to open air insults on the President? Should we call this journalism or freedom of expression? Or maybe irresponsible Journalism practiced by an irresponsible organization run by irresponsible people!!!
As much as there is freedom of expression, we should be careful the way we insult people. I could afford to keep mute over this issue but my conscience will not let me be. Just like I won’t sit and watch my father being insulted.
Oh yes label me a government stooge, I reserve my comment, oh yes Mr. President has health challenges and the world should know about it and have sympathy for him or worse case pray for him to die.
This letter is to the management and proponents of Sahara reporters, for every one of you that has a father alive, insults will continue to come their way,(AMEN) for every one of you that has a father alive, a terrible ailment will be his portion and will constitute a mockery to your household.(AMEN)
Except the bible does not say we should honor our parents and elders, then the above will not befall the proponents of Sahara reporters.
My fellow Nigerians, constructive criticism is a welcome development but for a bunch of irresponsible people enclosed in Sahara reporters to openly insult our president is tantamount to insulting our nation and our fathers. Just imagine the following: MENTALLY LAZY, DECEPTIVE, PHISICALLY WEAK (UNABLE TO PLAY Squash) TRUANT AND NON RESPONSIVE. MOST LIKELY TO DEGENERATE PROGRESSIVELY DUE TO INABILITY TO LEARN OR BRING ANYTHING NEW TO THIS CLASS.
This is gross irresponsibility and a shame to journalism, if this is how to practice journalism, then I rather become a beggar!
Sahara reporters should thank their stars Joshua Ocheja is not the president. They should be fair enough to publish this essay and they should note that subsequent articles that insult the president will elicit a rejoinder from me.
Nigeria …Good People… Great Nation.
