When internet arrived, we heralded it as the best thing that happened to us in this century after we landed on the moon. Although this information highway came with many benefits, it was not without its downsides. These days, it is becoming very, very scary to read what is on the internet and we should be afraid, really afraid. All it takes for anyone to become a “prolific” writer or overnight pundit, spewing hate, uploading anger and unleashing all forms of garbage to a hapless audience, is a computer and an elementary ability to pick on QWERTY keyboard. As if this is not enough, now comes our so called educated class feeding the illiterate and gullible with diet of lies, deceit and fabrications as facts. Result is that few in this helplessly enraptured audience, who are uninformed, uninterested in research and puncture the tissue of lies thrown at them, have become willing preys. My colleagues in the pen fraternity whose calling demands that truth be their watchword have equally succumbed to this bunch of quacks… Have money we’ll write!
There is nothing wrong with journalists working as Public relation Officers to anyone or organization. This includes fronting for thieving, lying deceitful, shady and corrupt governments. While there are some reputable PR agents as they are derisively called, others have even taken this job to a laughable if not disgraceful level. I can’t forget the day I watched the sordid drama that ensued between one Kevin Orji who introduced himself as Media Consultant to the embattled Imo State Deputy Governor, Jude Agbaso and journalists at the studio of the Lagos based Channels Television. The station replayed Agbaso’s response to a reporter’s question on whether he actually took bribes from the contractor, Joseph Dina. In it, the deputy governor said, “Let the record show that at no time did I ask for bribe…” When one of the interviewers observed that Agbaso emphasized asking for bribe and tactfully avoided receiving, he then asked Orji if he saw any difference between these two words, He replied “No.” I couldn’t believe that this is the kind of Media Consultant once popular deputy governor hired to defend his bribery saga.
Now fast forward this story to our colleagues in the media who masquerade as journalist at one time and or the highfalutin appellation of Media Consultant at another. Granted that Public relations is one of the courses that make up journalism curriculum, but its only fair that a journalist indicates alb initio which hat he or she is wearing. While a journalist guns for truth and facts, not so with a PR person whose obsession is to make his client look good at all time and at all cost. Experience has shown that most hardcore reporters and crackerjack journalist who want to preserve their integrity and write their names on the sands of time would rather not work as a PR agent. Come to think of it, who wants to leave a legacy of being a media consultant to a thief or killer? I won’t!
That brings to mind a recent piece written by Pini Jason entitled, “The mess in Imo: No longer a laughing matter.” Ordinarily, I do not subscribe to the cacophony of noises and insults that have bedeviled the internet but when a friend of mine brought Jason’s piece to my attention, I was compelled to read it because I have read Jason’s write ups in the past when he was a journalist. I must say that I was appalled to observe that Jason started his piece on a wrong premise. He concealed his full identity. He stated thus, “You know I just left office” Although I don’t begrudge him for his delivery style, but facts are facts and either way you cut it, that sentence should have read, “You know I just left Ohakim’s office (administration)”. To say this was misleading is an understatement.
He deliberately hid the naked fact that he was the head of Ohakim’s propaganda outfit that scouted anywhere, the internet, print, electronic or otherwise for comments that vilified his boss, to rebut. Hear him: He (meaning Okorocha) should explain to Imo people who bought ADAPALM and ITC and where the proceeds are. He should tell Imo people where the proceeds of the General Hospitals he sold are.” Jason should have indicated that he was continuing his job as Ohakim’s media consultant instead of masquerading as a journalist. Who is going to convince my colleague that his days as a paid mouthpiece of Ohakim are over?
Jason started his piece with a story which he said late Sam Mbakwe told him. I was the NTA Aba Government House reporter attached to Mbakwe’s office who never left his beat sometime until the wee hours of the morning. I can’t recall when De Sam told this story. But granted he did, this is a common proverb among Igbos. In Orlu where I come from, when a thief steals from his co thief, he chides his unrepentant colleague thus, “Mghaa oshi, igahu aha oshi” meaning “If I leave stealing, you won’t.” I am more worried that Jason could dress an indefatigable governor like Rochas Okorocha in such an ignoble robe. I didn’t recall him telling similar story about his boss, Ohakam when he robbed our state bare. Now I realize what I was taught in journalism on how far these so called Media consultants can go in defending their clients.
His words: “He should show Imo people where else in the state he has built his world class primary school except on Wetheral Road.” Did Jason really say that? Honestly, when I got to this point, I thought it was a misprint. I had to read it over and over before it sank in me that I was reading a piece by a once seasoned journalist now turned media consultant.
This is neither fair to your readers nor fair to Governor Okorocha. The Preambles to the Code of Ethics of the Nigerian of Journalists which I am a member states inter alia, “Truth is the cornerstone of journalism and every journalist should strive diligently to ascertain the truth of every event.” I would be ready to start with my village and then drive any doubting Thomas to several villages where these world class primary schools dot the map of Imo state. They are standing tall as testimony of how much Governor Okorocha who have been rightly christened the apostle of good and free education at all levels in the state has delivered.
Second to the last paragraph of his piece, Jason observes: “As for the PDP that wants to embrace the Agbasos, although I am not a party member, but they will be foolish to do that. That will amount to supporting a criminal act. Besides, the Agbasos are simply the flipside of Okorocha.
The Agbasos were complicit to Okorocha’s dismantling of the legacy of the PDP government of Ohakim, including demolishing millennium schools and repainting ambulances we gave to the 27 Primary Health Centers in Imo and re-launching them as theirs! Jude Agbaso rationalized the sacking of the 10, 000 graduates employed by Ohakim because they “did not have tables and biros”! Wait a minute! This looks like a carbon copy of Imo State PDP press release. Although he is entitled to his opinion, after all, comments are free and facts are sacred, but the preconceived bias that Jason has against this governor who threw his boss out of Douglass house was clearly evident in this piece. This is overkill! But Imo citizens are too enlightened and educated to allow this chaff to pass as corn–from a man who owned up, “although I am not a party member”.
I must confess that I wept the day I heard that Ohakim’s Propaganda Directorate has netted a seasoned journalist like Pini Jason. I was about wiping out my tears when another colleague of mine, Maximus Uba, suddenly jumped ship leaving the Nkwerre born Samuelson Iwuoha as the only unrelenting, fearless critics of the unmitigated malversation that Ohakim brought to our state. Pray, what offer did Ohakim make to a journalist of Jason’s standing that made him jettison his job and join his propaganda outfit? As Dilibe Onyeama would say, “The rest could best be supposed by
(you) the reader.” Needless to say that it did not take time before Maximus Uba was killed in an automobile accident that can at best be described as suspicious. Whoever rides the tiger must be careful because the tiger may devour him.
I reside in Owerri and I recently came back to the USA to visit my family in New York. I am an American educated journalist and I hold brief for no one. I am a journalist and would proudly be one until the day I go under.
I have never worked under any government and I do not intend to do so in future. Hardly a day passes without my passing through this Sam Mbakwe Avenue that has become the subject of reference by Agbaso and Dino. If I knew that this road which could pass for a beautiful boulevard would become a source of controversy, I would not have deleted the photo I took of it. For those who do not know, this road is one of the new diversions that Governor Okorocha built as a short cut to bypass the ever busy traffic and go slow plagued Douglass road. Although the road is less that
3 kilometer as Jason honestly indicated, there is more to it. It is not your typical road. Above it is a well decorated with a woven basket of curved high quality iron rods that makes it look like you are passing through a famous bridge. It is adorned with breathtaking hanging neon lights. Adjacent to it is the tallest tower in the world that the governor is erecting. So, when Jason et al wonder why a road of such a short distance should cost that much, they deliberately tell half the story.
Perhaps this is one that threw me off my feet. He wrote: “People are fleeing the state because of insecurity. Those who live outside the state are afraid to go home. Which town or state was Jason referring to? Is this the same Owerri where I drive myself every week to go to Orlu or Okigwe? I return to the city sometime very late in the night (Gosh, I hope my wife is not reading this). When I am not on business, I hang out with my friends at booming prominent spots like Safari Club, Owerri, Orlu Sports Club in Orlu, Cho Genesis, in Okigwe. I can’t recall anytime recently that I have heard of people saying they are leaving the state.
In fact the lull in the kidnapping prompted an old friend I met at Ideal Suite Outdoor Comedy to wonder if crime has finally left Imo state.
Meanwhile, the number of relaxation and recreational spots continues to increase. Look at them… all in Owerri alone: Sports Club, 40-40, All; Seasons, Vandoz, Dream land, Links, Legends, Concord hotel, etc, Channel
27 in Orlu, Soft Link in Okigwe. The newest one “Mimi” is currently leading others like Orange Room, Colors, Xo Xo in giving Ibari Ogwa a run for its money has just opened. If Owerri is unsafe as Jason would make some to believe, why are these spots that operate in the night booming?
If he thinks Owerri does not have the best and safest night life across the Niger, let him try Aba tonight where I was born and (see if he) can call me in the morning.
They say that choice of words matters in writing depending on the impression one wants to convey to his readers. This is Jason’s attempt at ridiculing the governor’s effort to develop the state: “Okorocha was also busy demolishing and rebuilding, grabbing every available land and erecting building…. In the scramble to quickly rescue private pockets, Imo became a state of Squares; if it is not Heroes Squares, it is Ikemba Square, Ojukwu Square or First Lady Square that would make Imelda Marcos jealous, new Deputy Governor’s office, new Executive Chambers, a new mini Basilica in the government House, etc. all dead assets that add no value to the economy of the state.” This is clearly a jaundiced writing in bad faith. But at least, it implies that the governor is building “Squares.” I can’t recall what Ohakim did in his four year term than enrich himself?
Adelabu Adegoke may have had Ohakim’s era in mind far back in 1958 when he spoke of penkelemesi. Please not all projects add value to a state economy otherwise a country like US would not have beautified its cities with breathtaking edifices and tourist attractions.
I am at a loss to understand what Jason means by “rescue private pockets?”
Did he imply that the governor is running a corrupt government? Listen to this. Two of my friends who work in his administration gave me a glimpse of how Owelle operates. One said he is a workaholic who is obsessed with punctuality. He told me a story of how the governor arrives before every member of his cabinet during Exco meeting. Once, another source confided in me, how he accompanied the governor to a local government to check up on ghost workers. He said that the governor was already dressed up and ready to go at 6:30 am. He said that when they got into His Excellency’s official car, he saw a heap of files which the governor worked on while they were going and when they were returning from that visit. He said that the governor who has zero tolerance for corruption is very pedantic and microscopically insures that every penny of Imo state is accounted for. If there is any legacy that would remain green in the minds of Imo citizens, it is his elimination of ghost workers through the use of Biometric Data Capture. Could this be the reason why he sacked the 10,000 workers who Ohakim used to bloat the Imo civil service as his term was petering out? Politics! Jason raised the question of whereabouts of 30 KVA generators that Ohakim left at all the 27 local governments. It is a naked fact that on assumption of office, Governor Okorocha set up the Asset Recovery Committee and since then they have been battling Ohakim cronies, friends and relatives (so much for employing your
relatives!) to recover several items they stole. How can anyone forget so soon the news of how his fleeing staffers looted cars, Air Conditioners, Fans, etc. from government offices, something reminiscent of the day when US President Bush staffers vandalized the keyboards in White House by removing all the “W” letters, Maybe, Jason who “just left office” should tell us where these items are.
Many, including Jason have spoken of how Governor Okorocha gave contract to J-Bros without bidding, Tenders and even paid him before the job started. A real estate mogul who knows how to deal with truant and delinquent contractors, I was told that he makes sure that no contractor collects advance payment for any job. His modus operandi all along is “you complete the job, you get paid and if you don’t, another finishes it and gets paid.” It’s called beating them at their game. Some said that some of these contracts are not even signed so that some of these unscrupulous contractors will not have grounds to sue if they are not doing well. But I was told that this JBros contracts was an exception. My impeccable source who is close to this government told me that the governor who hardly pays any project until it is nearing completion, ordered this singular payment to be advanced to this contractor because he wanted to showcase the new government owned White House hotel which he is building on the same road.
Pardon me to use this story to illustrate what a good journalist should be. Once, I drove into Orlu and was stunned by the way the city is being transformed into a modern city. The journalism in me quickly took over. I brought out my camera and started to shoot away. I have only taken two shots when one of the expatriate contractors handling the job confronted me. He asked me to indentify myself and whose authority I have to take photographs. I told him that I am a journalist and that journalists do not need permission to take photos of public record like construction of a road. He didn’t buy my explanation. He then invited a mob of ENTRACO staff who pounced on me. There was a scuffle. Later, their Boss, another Middle Easterner, arrived. He asked for my ID. As I was showing him my Nigerian of Journalists Identification card, he quickly snatched it from me and before I could say Jack Robinson, he tore it into shreds. It took the arrival of the then Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Uche Best to rescue me. When he arrived, he apologized to me for this ugly incident and assured me that he would pay NUJ for the replacement of my card–which he never did anyway. Would this ugly and isolated incident make me write a report against the government of Okorocha that is working round the clock to correct the penkelemesi that Ohakim brought to this state? Nope!
Never! I have never met the Governor one on one. If anything, I have been to Martin Agbaso’s house and dined with him. But will that make me mortgage my conscience to write things in favor of Agbaso or be prejudiced against Okorocha? Nope! Never! I am not that kind of journalist. Many say that objectivity does not exist. I don’t buy that and that’s why I say journalism is not for everybody.
Now, the issue of Jude Agbaso. At this time he remains innocent until proven guilty. Notice how the governor has maintained a studied silence.
That is how it should be, for Christ sake! Remember, this is one of the few governors who swears in his deputy as the acting governor whenever he is going out of the country. Unless other contractors can come out and sing or the real truth is unmasked by the court of competent jurisdiction, the only person who knows the truth of what actually happened is the Almighty God. All we can do at this time is conjecture, theorize and imagine. But I must say that I am particularly worried at the preambles of this case. Why did it take the contractor’s thorough description of the deputy governor’s home detail like a rape victim describing the anatomy of a rapist, before he accepted that the contractor has visited his home before? Same with the bottle of Whisky! I remember how Prof. Tam David West lost his post as the Petroleum Minister in 1990 after he drank the Tea and Whiskey given to him by NNPC contractor, Stinnes he was supposed to be supervising. It appears Whisky is finally replacing the dollar as the bait of choice to thank Nigerian officials. How countries differ. If this drama was unfolding in U.S.A. where accepting gift is considered a serious form of influence peddling and conflict of interest, the deputy governor would have resigned immediately. But this is Nigeria of DSP Alamieyeseigha who just received his presidential pardon, Farouk Lawan of $3million bribe fame whom it took House of Representative months to remove as the Chairman of Fuel Subsidy Scandal, John Yakubu Yusuf, who got two years pat on the back for stealing N23.3 billion Police Pension Fund.
Nigerian public officials simply do not resign. They are egged on by friends and family members to soldier on. Fight on, give them hell, don’t mind them brother. Na dem go tire sha!
In this whole saga, I doff my hat for Hon. Simeon Iwunze and his members of the Oversight Committee at the Imo House of Assembly who handled this investigation. Recall that members of this committee are drawn from different parties. Iwunze, (a.k.a. Whiteman) who is a lawyer is a staunch member of PDP. If there is anyone who should work against Governor Okorocha it should have been him after all this governor wrestled victory from the claws and jaws of Ikiri Ohakim, the former governor who is from his party. But he did not do that. He and his members were very impartial.
All through this investigation, his committee accorded Agbaso the respect he deserved. They were patient with him even as he postponed several appointments with them. They were the ones who exposed all this. They deserve Kudos. And to those who argue that it was illogical that the contractor parted with such huge money should realize that the contractor said he did so because Agbaso promised him future contracts in two local governments. Please let the investigators do their work.
Enough of Agbaso imbroglio! I must say without equivocation, Governor Okorocha is working. He continues to do a good job in Imo state. All the old fashioned street light poles are being changed to shinny chrome plated metals with solar panels coupled with its unobtrusive charging batteries.
The roundabout at the former Modotel and Whetheral with statues of a textbook (Education), Palm Wine tapper (Agriculture) and Bible (A Religious State) and plaque of all the 27 local governments can compare with any seen at state capital of the world. People from all walks of life flock to use this tourist attraction as their photoshoot landscape. So is it with Control post and Nekede/Aba road junction, Alvan/Sam Mbakwe Road/Bank road, Wetheral/Fire Service road that are being rebuilt. Seeing is believing! Anyone who has been to Orlu recently would hardly recognize this town. It is currently looking like a modern city. Governor Okorocha promised Imo people that by the time he finishes his four year term, he would transform the state into an enviable one. That is what he is doing and the people are applauding.
The only problem I have with Governor Okorocha is that he appears to have totally abandoned Okigwe. The construction of roads that started even before that of Orlu appears to have stalled. There is no activity going on there and the roads which have been excavated are in worse state. It would be a nightmare for residents of this city when the rains arrive.
There is hardly any project that Governor Okorocha promised Okigwe people that is going on now. Notice that I am from Orlu and it is easier for me to commend him on the wonderful work he is doing in Orlu and careless about Okigwe. Again, I am not that kind of jaundiced journalist.
Folks, make no mistake about it, Governor Okorocha remains very, very popular among Imo citizens. Even in Okigwe where nothing is currently happening, a man told me, “Don’t worry, he would develop Okigwe” and quickly added, “After all, what did our brother do when he was our governor?” Please, don’t believe what you read on the internet about Governor Okorocha. As I stated in my report last year, this group of bean counters and pundits are in the minority. Many people in Imo can swear that Owelle Rochas Okorocha is the best thing that happened to Imo after Sam Mbakwe. Whether it is in rural areas or in townships, Imo people cherish him so dearly. Many in the village don’t want to hear any other name than Governor Okorocha. Many of his admirers are ready to die for him. I have been conducting an unscientific Vox Populi and have discovered that even if the governor were to register with “Goat Party” in the next election, he would win Imo in a landslide. Those who want to rubbish his name or achievements do so at their own risk. Honestly, most people in Imo hardly follow this Agbaso issue. All they care about is the governor whom they worship and say he is God sent to right the wrongs of Ohakim. The way things are going, I continue to pray that there won’t be a replay of what happened during his election when able bodied young men and women ganged up against unscrupulous INEC staff who wanted to rig his election in favor of Ohakim to the point of turning bloody next time around. I just read that some rich Imo politicians have raised N2billion to bribe members of the Imo House of assembly to impeach him. I just pray I won’t be in Imo when this happens. From feelers I get, these people are buoyed up, fired up and ready to confront anyone who dare deny Rochas his victory if he runs. The only people criticizing the governor are on the internet.
The problem with Rochas is that he is not a politician. He is a straight shooter… your regular, average Joe on the street and people like him for that! Regrettably, he appears not to have faith in the powers of the press–especially the local press. The only press he respects is the national press apparently to burnish his national image for a presidential run. What is it with our leaders with Lagos and Abuja press? Feeling that his voice was not heard well, Jude Agbaso also ran to these cities to address the same Press conference that he gave at Owerri only few weeks ago.
I was told by my colleagues at the NUJ Secretariat at Owerri of how the governor circumvents the main NUJ body in preference to the Correspondent Association in Imo state, an NUJ chapel. He even bought them a bus and paid rents for their office for years. I must also condemn the governor’s penchant for live broadcast. It is on record that he has paid African Independent Television, A.I.T. and Channels TV for live broadcast of events that are meant for Imo audience. Live feeds of these broadcasts do not come cheap! He should embrace the maxim of late Tip O’Neil US House of Representative Speaker, that “All politics are local. An insider in his government told me how he trumpets that his work and achievements will speak for him.
Are they really? Well to an extent. But it appears that his message is being lost in the shuffle. In this era of internet noise of hack writer, paid goons, sycophants, hangers on, praise singers, bean counters, Oti Mkpus and media consultants to sell his message. If Ohakim could go the whole hog to hire Jason and co to help sell him to defrauded Imo people, why is the governor resting on his oars? I was taught in my advertising class that a product can lose its brand name if it stops to advertise. Now you know why Coke Cola and Pepsi Col–even though they are well known–continue to advertise. If the governor had a good media outfit, it should be reminding us by now of the atrocities that Ohakim committed in Imo. The missing N62billion! Anyone who watched the governor as he spoke during the World Igbo Congress in Los Angeles and compared it with that of the loquacious, former governor of Abia, Orji Uzor Kalu would know the difference between day and night—a regular guy versus a real politician with his doublespeak. While Kalu came with the fanfare, pomp and pageantry, hype and hoopla, that characterizes many politicians, Owelle spoke extemporaneously and uncanned. He was natural, unretouched, uncensored and as our people will say, down to earth. Is he a sharp straight shooter or what?
That may well be his secret weapon! But for how long?
Mclord Obioha.
Mclord News Networks, MNN.
New York, New York.