Date Published: 09/04/09

Sir,

Now that Akwa Ibom is relatively peaceful

Who says the Press (pen) is not mightier than sword (cash)? What is happening around us here in Nigeria would definitely confirm that Pen is it.

It is my observation that the Press can make or mar any situation. Some journalists are compromised but most are not, as I can see. This is in spite of a blackmail which an aide to a governor recented recanted to the Nigerian Tribune correspondent that his boss spends confessed spending about N1.2billion monthly on public relations expenses (bribes) to category of persons that includes people in the media.

What I am trying to drive at here is that without the much heat that was brought to bear on most governors and government activities in recent time by the media, this country would increasingly be ungovernable. The President is now gradually sitting up as the media exposes his inadequacies which include condoning corrupt practitioners and building of Katsina mafia as averred by Col Umar and the youth wing of Arewa Consultative Assembly.

Here in Akwa Ibom, were it not the press that continued publishing stories, articles and letters that allege government’s involvement in political kidnappings and other crimes, the relative peace which we now enjoy in the State would not have been so; this is in spite of returnee Akwa Ibom indigenes. Nevertheless, the situation does not mean to say that all is now totally well or that it was government that has been responsible for all the past criminal activities. My appeal to the media is that they should continue, not only on Akwa Ibom but also other states of the federation, in things that would reveal the bad side of governance.

I thank the media and pray that you are constantly protected as you carry on with the salvation ‘projects’.