October 24 , 2007

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

MISSING ANAMBRA N48 BILLION: ANDY UBA HAS NOT BOUGHT FRESH FACTS NEWSPAPER

 

Publishers of poverty control newsmagazine and fresh facts newspaper announces that it has not sold any of its titles to Dr. Andy Uba or to anyone else for that matter. We make this announcement because of mysterious posters, which appeared at strategic places, such as on structures in front of the Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Wuse Market, etc, which was brought to our management’s notice on Friday October 19, 2007. The bold posters proclaimed the legend: “Andy Uba buys fresh facts” But this is not the case. None has bought us. Even then, we are not averse to business proposals. Globally, individuals are buying up business and businesses are buying up other business to become even bigger, more consolidated. There is nothing wrong in this. It is good business. Mr. Peter Obi should please be reminded that we are not politicians but journalists. And as journalists, we set for ourselves mission and a vision to help better Nigeria and mankind by our readiness to publish and be damned, fully cognizant, and never forgetting that the assignment is onerous, dangerous and thankless. We have been publishing “flattering” stories about the government of Anambra State and about the activities of its governor, Mr. Peter Obi. But human activities feature the good, the bad and the ugly. Therefore, “bad” stories which, in journalism, are “good” news cannot but feature in a newspaper.

 

Unfortunately, sanctimonious mischief makers who enjoy favourable reports, immediately perceive the handiwork of “enemies” “bribe-seekers” and “detractors” who are “out to destroy” their government, whenever uncomplimentary stories are published. On Monday October 15, 2007, FRESH FACTS newspaper ran a cover story. It was entitled: WHERE IS ANAMBRA’S N48 BILLION?, LAWMAKERS ASK GOV. OBI. Ever since, all hell has broken loose! Not only did governor Obi tried futilely to mop up all copies of this issue from the state, his Chief press secretary, one Mike Udah, took to calumniating the paper and its editors on Anambra Radio and Television but they MISCHIEVOUSLY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES RAISED BY THE COVER STORY AND THE editorial WHICH APPEARED ON PAGE SEVEN OF THE SAME EDITION! How did Governor Obi, and his croaky megaphones, set out to justify Obi’s dishonest lack of accountability and dismal performance and to mollify the thoroughly traumatized, exploited and angry Anambrarians? They did not advert their minds to accountability. They did not think it proper that anyone should call them to order. So, they told their “beloved” people that some Editors of FRESH FACTS demanded a bribe from Governor Obi. And when he reportedly refused, the journalists, in vengeance, then wrote the cover story and the accompanying editorial! How very absurd! If accountability had been governor Obi’s constant companion, why then did the House of Assembly refuse to consider his supplementary appropriation of N8 Billion? Why did they also threaten not to entertain the inevitable 2008 Appropriation Bill until he explains how he spent the 2007 budget? Or are the legislators part and parcel of the team from FRESH FACTS which allegedly demanded a bribe from the lying governor? And rather than explain his fiscal misbehaviour, he is further dissipating scarce resources on vain propaganda in Abuja where he has printed posters of lies, pasting them on pillars and posts while monstrous poverty has most of his citizens by the jugular. A knowing Anambraian has placed Anambra among the poorest in the 36 states.

 

Yet, Obi is literally burning money on ego-massaging, huge billboards, the equivalent of Absalom’s Monument in the Bible. But what, was the end of Absalom and his vanity? Obi’s method of reacting to an “unflattering” newspaper report tells volumes about how he has been running Anambra State. Gov. Obi and his agents should not drag us into politics. If they are unable to withstand the behemoth, as many now term Dr Andy Uba in that state, why then drag us into their fray? It is obvious to us, mere observers and chroniclers of national events, that Dr. Uba is worsting Mr. Obi in the fight for the Government House, Awka. But, is this our doing? We know that our newspaper is making waves. We know that governor Obi himself is a shrewd businessman. Dr. Uba is a great businessman. The publisher of FRESH FACTS is a businessman and has not made up his mind against anyone. If governor Obi, or anyone else is interested in acquiring some shares in our company then he should make an offer. If Dr. Uba, too, covets the paper, then he is welcome to make a bid. Today, however, FRESH FACTS is 100% owned by Media Projects Limited which is executively chaired and fully controlled by Mr. Segun Abrams.