Beaf's Posts

Nairaland Forum › Beaf's Profile › Beaf's Posts

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 (of 876 pages)

Politics › Re: Nigerian Economy 'to Grow By 10%' by Beaf(op): 10:11pm On Sep 04, 2010

Dis Guy:
ehn ehn i talk am! Beaf has been drinking unrefined palm wine, what mega bucks can we get from Alomo Bitters?

Na Alomo Bitters you de call jass?

There's a lot of money to be made from herbal knowledge. The pharmaceutical industry is worth billions and there are several areas we can key in, from things like bitter kola, dogonyaro, shea etc. There's very big money there.

Politics › Re: God Did Not Create The Universe----prof. Hawking by Beaf: 9:54pm On Sep 04, 2010

texazzpete:
You know why there are so many atheists in the world?
Because any time the atheists come forward with clear, logical reasons why they feel God doesn't exist, Christians reply like this
OMG! LOL! Rot in hell you lamer! Burn! Suffer! Satan etc etc

I'm so ashamed of some of my fellow Christians. What the hell do you learn in church if you cannot even string together a rational argument to counter Steve hawking? All the people abusing this man for being crippled are being pathetic.

Exactly! Some of the things said here are so pathetic, but it isn't a Christian problem, its a Nigerian problem. Logic and critical thinking are not taught in schools, as it is in advanced countries, so people go above making random emotional statements and thinking they are somehow connecting with the crowd. It is just pathetic! We need to save the next generation from this self destroying habit.

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 9:48pm On Sep 04, 2010

mikeansy:
Well if you think I should not be taken seriously then that makes 2 of us!!!!!!!!!!

See my previous post to know why.

I still wanna consider you a pal but I guess you should know me long enough that not even beaf can intimidate me. Lets stick to the candidates, thats the best way to keep it clean.

one love!!!

Why should you feel intimidated? We are just having a discussion in which I am asking that you keep to topic and avoid cheap tactics. Period.
The best way to keep it clean is stick to the topic, and even when extraneous stuff is brought in, it should be relevant.

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 9:36pm On Sep 04, 2010

mikeansy:
Stick to what argument? I have said severally that Jonathan can appoint a Campaign manager from Niger republic if he likes. So I have no clue why arguing about his campaign manager is of any use to me or to anybody for that matter. I also say that I see a lot of naivete in the appointment of tafida or El-Rufai. And those reasons I do not want to disclose because I will rather see the Jonathan campaign fail.

At the end of the day, appointing a Campaign manager is a subtopic in the wider topic of Jonathan for President 2011 and anything that has to do with Jonathan is fair game to talk about.

Now tell me why you are so worried that I posted Jonathan's video

If I came to this thread to talk about how I have recieved 24hrs electricity since Jonathan became acting President will you honestly attack me for being off topic. Jonathan is the topic and everything about Jonathan is fair game.

Again why is it that a man you want to be the President of Nigeria post 2011, you are worried to see his own video? I find that very curious.

IS THERE A REASON FOR THIS.

In other words you find it difficult to stick to the topic, yet you want to be taken seriously? shocked

If you had posted the video in support of a wider argument, it would have been logical, but the way it was done was more like street side finger pointing and an attempt to derail the thread.

Again, you might have decided on the basis of a video to think whatever it is you think, but the question remains;

"How does any of that fit into a discussion titled, "El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director?"
Forget about "campaigning", stick to the argument and lets see how far you go. "

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 9:18pm On Sep 04, 2010

mikeansy:
I am campaigning for your HERO Beaf, I simply posted his own video on the internet without distorting it.

I am at loss why that is problem. Or are you not proud of him? I thought we were in the digital age and are looking for a President in tune with the times.

Rubbish. The problem is people losing an argument and then making deliberate attempts to derail the thread.
How does any of that fit into a discussion titled, "El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director?"
Forget about "campaigning", stick to the argument and lets see how far you go. cool

Politics › Re: God Did Not Create The Universe----prof. Hawking by Beaf: 9:10pm On Sep 04, 2010

throttler:
somebody needs to tell dat lettuce to SHARRRRAP DIA .

I have never heard anything so immoral, shameful and disgusting in my life!
Lets all pray that we never have misfortune.

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 9:04pm On Sep 04, 2010

mikeansy:
lol they truly don't like folks to see a video of their President!!!!!!!!

It was simply of no value to the current argument. Its more like street side finger pointing than anything.
When you say "their President," is your compound now a republic that is independent of Nigeria?

Politics › Re: Nigerian Economy 'to Grow By 10%' by Beaf(op): 9:01pm On Sep 04, 2010

Our economy can actually grow by much more if we really put ourselves to it. There is so much untapped talent in the country and vast resources to back that talent up. All we need do is harness these things.
Lets not forget that there are more than ten cities in this world that make more money than the whole of Nigeria.

These are some untapped areas that could yield mega bucks;
1. Solar power
2. Traditional medicine
3. Manufacturing
4. Tourism
5. Information Technology
6. Oil refining and export of refined products

Politics › Nigerian Economy 'to Grow By 10%' by Beaf(op): 8:52pm On Sep 04, 2010

4 September 2010 Last updated at 00:04
[size=14pt]Nigerian economy 'to grow by 10%' [/size]

Mr Aganga says countries like Brazil, Germany and China all want to invest in Nigeria Nigeria's economy will hit double-digit growth by the end of 2011 or early 2012, the country's finance minister has told the BBC.

Olusegun Aganga's prediction comes after the Nigerian economy grew by more than 7% in the first half of this year.

Mr Aganga said the government's ambitious programme to build new infrastructure and to privatise the power sector would help growth.

BBC World Service's Africa editor Martin Plaut said Nigeria was once a byword for coups and corruption.

But Mr Aganga, a former managing editor at Goldman Sachs, said investors were now pounding at his door.

"There's no week that I don't see two, three, four major investors from other parts of the world. Brazil, Germany even China, all these other countries. All of them bringing or wanting to come and invest in the country," he said.

If the country's infrastructure and privatisation programme is successfully implemented, he said he expects growth of 10% by 2012.

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 8:45pm On Sep 04, 2010

mikeansy:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8507289.stm

Click on the link above and watch their ~~Abraham Lincoln~~ President Jonathan in video.

Imagine the President of a country addressing his countrymen with so much fear written all over him like a 2yr old kid forced to recite a poem by a scary teacher.

It is no rocket science to figure out why this President hardly addresses his people. Facebook blogging us no substitute to leadership.

My Grand-dad always told me you don't learn how to use left hand at old age. Jonathan simply has not got it. He simply can not lead.

Does this disprove that El-Rufai isn't his campaign Director General? I am at a loss about the relevance of the above to this topic. huh

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 7:32pm On Sep 04, 2010

Ibime:
Whilst we all know that Beaf love for GEJ is pathological, we can also say oyb hate for GEJ is pathological.

The amount of time OYB spends attacking GEJ, you would have thunk that IBB and Atiku are better candidates. Please distribute hate evenly.

Lol @ "pathological."

Politics › Trial Of Halliburton Bribery Suspects Filed At Federal High Court Abuja by Beaf(op): 7:05pm On Sep 04, 2010

[size=14pt]Government opens trial of Halliburton bribery suspects [/size]
By Elizabeth Archibong
September 3, 2010 11:54PM

The federal government at the weekend filed two different sets of charges in two courts in Abuja, against some men alleged to have been implicated in the Halliburton bribery scandal.

This may well put an end to speculations that the federal government may just never bring those involved to book.

“There are two sets of charges filed. One set was filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, while the other was filed at the FCT High Court,” a top government official told NEXT at the weekend.

Both charges were filed on Friday afternoon.

Investigations by United States law enforcement agencies had listed past Heads of State, including the late Sani Abacha, Abdulsalami Abubakar and Olusegun Obasanjo, amongst those involved in the scandal.

The charges filed at the federal high court have numbers FHC/ABJ/CR/146/2010, FRN vs Bodunde Adeyanju amongst others include: BillFinger Berger GMBH, Julius Berger etc.

The second batch, filed at the FCT High Court, is filed with charge number FCTHC/CR/95/10, FRN vs Henrich Stockhausen amongst others.

The other names include: Ibrahim Aliyu, AVM A.D Bello, Mohammed Gidado Bakare, Urban Shelters ltd, Intercellular Nig Ltd, SheerWood Petroleum Ltd, Tri Star investment Ltd, Tecnik SA, BV and Kellog Brown and Root.

Determined to prosecute

This is following a promise made by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, who told NEXT in an interview that the government was determined to prosecute all those involved.

“This is an expression of bravery on the part of the AGF, making the move to prosecute that calibre of people, what his predecessors could not do. He should be commended and encouraged to do more,” our source said, hailing the actions of the AGF.

This may be a mile stone in Goodluck Jonathan’s fight against corruption, as this may sound out that no man is above the law.

Meanwhile, the federal goverment has also made moves to put some of its best hands to handle the case.

“They are top prosecutors selected: JB Daudu SAN, Emmanuel Ukala SAN and Godwin Obla,” our source said.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Home/5614835-146/government_opens_trial_of_halliburton_bribery.csp

Politics › Re: I’m Ready To Die For Jonathan Says Asari Dokubo by Beaf: 6:57pm On Sep 04, 2010

Dokubo Asari: those calling on Jonathan not to contest are not only political enemies of the region, but people who still harbour the primordial sentiment that the people of the region are second class citizens

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 6:47pm On Sep 04, 2010

oyb:
is that it? is next not a rubbish newspaper that has lost credibility? they must have been hacked na

the only paper with the stones to knock patience, and to confirm that yardua was brain dead in saudi arabia

so who are we to believe?

Believe what you like dude, even that article was very inclonclusive, but to you, its like "Jesus said." grin

Lets wait and see what part El-Ruffai plays in 2011. Thats what the thread is about, in any event, I don't see any wrong with El-Rufai being supportive of both Jonathan and Ribadu. They are all in the same camp.

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 6:33pm On Sep 04, 2010

oyb:
has beaf gone so blind that he missed this ?

Usual ranting.
You are the blind one. You have quoted from a newspaper, same as I did. . . But of course, you are blind to that fact.

Politics › Re: North Warns Jonathan Against Use Of EFCC . by Beaf: 5:49pm On Sep 04, 2010

zionsown:
THIS JUST A DISPLAY OF FEAR BY THE NORTHERN POLITICIANS, [b]IF YOU ARE NOT GUITY AS ACCUSED WHY THE FEAR AND TEARS, PLEASE LET DEM SAVE THEIR TEARS FOR LATER AFTER GEJ MIGHT HAVE WON IS ELECTION THEN WILL THEY SHARE T, HE THAT IS DOWN NEED FEAR NO FALL[/b]

Precisely. Why would the innocent fear EFCC?
Let criminals with dirty hands quake.

Politics › Re: Labour Party Denies Donald Duke’s Membership by Beaf(op): 4:52pm On Sep 04, 2010

slap1:
Afam's post answered that. Duke has left PDP and the party has left him. The party controls his home state so I don't know where he's gonna start mobilizing for his new ambition. Now I don't mean he's lost popularity amongst his people, NO! But, Beaf, in all sincerity, on a scale of 10, where will you rate Duke's political life?

At this moment in time? I'll rate him at 1/10, but that doesn't mean he has no future, it depends on how he plays his cards and uses his mouth. If he does it Atiku style, there will be no future for him.
I cannot fathom why he left PDP, because reform is best carried out from the inside after grabbing power.
He could still have a strong political future, perhaps by bidding for the senate and building links to undo the damage he has done to himself by looking impractical and amateurish in his current presidential bid.

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 4:41pm On Sep 04, 2010

Gbawe:
Yeah you are right but he does need educating from time to time. He does not seem to understand the word "groom" especially when used in a political context.

Agbero's seem to appeal to you. cry

Gbawe:
Could not agree with you more I don't know why any intelligent fan of Jonathan would produce an article that makes it as if Mr.President is grovelling to everyone to be allowed to be President next Year. It is as if he is begging for 4 years when a sagacious President with balls should get there before making ridiculous pledges that reek of desperation. The constitution allows him two terms of 4 years and he is begging for 4 years alone !! Only accidental leaders , fearful of rejection, make desperate promises they are not at all obligated to make .

I want to challenge you on just the one thing. . . Again you guessed right, it is your emotions against logical reality.
Drop the name of the aspirant from IBB to Saraki that is better, lets have something concrete from you. Tell us who you think stands a chance to defeat IBB (if you aren't campaigning for him Depilot style).

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 4:14pm On Sep 04, 2010

Gbawe:
Say what you like. I am no different to the numerous politicians wo are now failing to support Jonathan because they do not have an iorta of respect for a man who seems to not have firm convictions on anything. I just find it ridiculous you think Jonathan can even groom a Political intern let alone an established Politician many had actually talked about as a Potential President in 2006 . Even if they have fault , we know the likes of Ribadu and El Rufai are brave men with conviction . Same cannot be said of Jonathan. You will soon start seeing Jonathan dismantled rather easily . I would like to show you very obvious obstacles you and Jonathan's fans are missing but better to enjoy the show as it unravels.

The Superman statement simply qualifies the shameless sycophantic drivel we now hear non-stop that seeks to convince us "that Mutton is Lamb" because it is you fans of Jonathan who are actually insecure. You think that if you continue to say that D is A , Nigerian will forget that D is actually three letters behind A !!! Folks on this forum know your tedious style .

Dude, all I am asking you; is stop playing on emotions and apply logic to your arguments. Emotions are not arguments.
When it comes to zoning, you become an overnight supporter; when there is any devicive article like "North warns Jonathan," you publish it; when it comes to EFCC doing its job, you shout foul; when it comes to the masses observing obvious progress, you claim it is a past regimes efforts.

Seriously, drop the hysterical outbursts of emotion and you will have zero to post on NL. grin

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 3:49pm On Sep 04, 2010

Gbawe:
Totally ridiculous statement but we have come to expect flights of fantasy from Jonathan's fans because that is all they have . An accidental mediocre President is "grooming" one of the most respected and high-profile Political figures in Nigeria? I guess that nonsensical statement is tantamount to fans of Shagari announcing that the equally underserving, dull and clueless school teacher (Shehu Shagari) who also became President can "groom" Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo for higher office !!!!

In some peoples mind Jonathan is now superman merely because, by accident, he is now President. Jonathan would only be in a positing to "groom" anyone if he himself has battle scars, experience and sagacity from a career that has seen him gain respect as one who has knowledge and guidance to impart . That he is President in a totally fraudulent system that ignores meritocratic appointment does not now suddenly confers sagacity on Jonathan.

Seriously Gbawe, you actually sound like you are so ridden with jealousy and insecurity over Jonathan that your positions are never borne out of principle or belief. They don't even bear any semblance of logic or truth, while they always bear heavily on the emotional, its a really strange fever for a grown man to have.

Yesterday, you were wondering why EFCC hadn't picked up Danbazau for security breaches, today you are comparing Ribadu and El-Rufai to Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo !! shocked

. . .And Yes! Jonathan is now superman merely because, by accident, he is now President. You can now die of insecurity and fear. grin

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 3:24pm On Sep 04, 2010

mikeansy:
Jonathan is grooming El-Rufai for future leadership

How old is Jonathan and hold is El-Rufai

BTW El-Rufai does not shy away from news, we will hear from him soon on this issue.

It has nothing to do with age.

Jonathan is the President, his influence has freed two great leaders from exile and put them in very strong positions to attain higher heights than they could have had without him.

Politics › Re: Labour Party Denies Donald Duke’s Membership by Beaf(op): 2:58pm On Sep 04, 2010

afam4eva:
People like Donald duke, Pat Utomi etc can't win an election in Nigeria. No matter how good they are.

I disagree with that. Donald duke has already been governor, so at least he knows how to get things right at state level; he is only failing right now at the national level. The man might play a future role in the country.

As for Pat Utomi, I believe he is too idealistic. An effective politician need to be able to get down to the level of the man on the street, either in approach or through lieutenants. Pat Utomi says all the right things, is highly moral and intelligent, but doesn't connect with the soul of the masses.

Politics › Re: Igbo Deserve To Produce President In 2015, Says Atiku by Beaf: 2:52pm On Sep 04, 2010

[quote author=bk.babe97y link=topic=508578.msg6696002#msg6696002 date=1283599805]Lol. The ONLY IBO on earth who seems foolish enough to believe this crap happens to be OnlyFOOL, uh, my bad, ONLYTRUTH! Beast, low-self esteemed cretin, House Nigga, Coon, Buck, Pickanniny, Sambo, Uncle Tom, Mandingo Negro, Sasquatch. . . . What other names can I call u, u unrepentable tribalist?!? The desire to hurt a certain people cant let you see past your nose; cant let u realize ure being bamboozled. Fool! What is good for the gander is good for the goose! If 2011 is good enough for "them", dont u think it is good enough for the Ibos?!! Imbe*ci*le![/quote]What is the purpose of this gutter tripe? One can only sit back and weep for some mothers sha. embarassed

Politics › Re: Labour Party Denies Donald Duke’s Membership by Beaf(op): 2:43pm On Sep 04, 2010

slap1:
Lol, as if belonging to a political party is the only thing standing between him and Aso Rock. Dude needs a total political rebirth. He's dead, politically.

How do you mean? Can you clarify?

Politics › Re: North Warns Jonathan Against Use Of EFCC . by Beaf: 2:41pm On Sep 04, 2010

^
Yes, it is, because she was absolved.

[size=21pt]Let IBB's people fear because, EFCC is at their door![/size]

Politics › Re: North Warns Jonathan Against Use Of EFCC . by Beaf: 2:23pm On Sep 04, 2010

There are many cases the govt aught to be interested in. . .

For example, Tinubu is drug stained! Proof? shocked

www.nairaland.com/attachments/139268_BolaTinubuHeroinforfeiture_jpgb084d334c74cec7150ee9588a3aed2fc

Politics › Re: North Warns Jonathan Against Use Of EFCC . by Beaf: 2:17pm On Sep 04, 2010

oyb:
yeah!! someone let them arrest patience Johnathan !!!

i'm sure she is kampeing

National Association of Rumour Mongers, Starters and Fanners is in town again!
Rumour about this, rumour about that. . . All market place gist and rubbish.

[size=33pt]Let agents of IBB quake, EFCC is at your gate![/size] cool

Jonathan is the man for 2011.

Politics › Re: Labour Party Denies Donald Duke’s Membership by Beaf(op): 2:11pm On Sep 04, 2010

It is interesting that Donald Duke still has no party. Whats happening to his presidential plans?

Politics › Labour Party Denies Donald Duke’s Membership by Beaf(op): 2:07pm On Sep 04, 2010

[size=14pt]Labour Party denies Donald Duke’s membership [/size]
By Emmanuel Ogala
September 3, 2010 12:53AM

The chairman of the Labour Party, Dan Iwuanyanwu, yesterday refuted reports that the former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, is a member of his party.

Mr Duke, who resigned his membership of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in June, is widely speculated to have pitched his tent with the Labour Party, on which he allegedly plans to realise his presidential ambition. The party shares the fourth largest party position with the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), each controlling a state.

Mr Iwuanyanwu said the last time he checked, Mr Duke, who is his personal friend, was not a member of his party as widely speculated.

“As of yesterday, I don’t think Donald Duke has joined our party,” Mr Iwuanyanwu said. “I am aware he resigned from the PDP but he is not yet a member of our party.” He, however, added that Mr Duke has the right to be a member of the party.

In a letter addressed to the Cross River State Chairman of the PDP and dated April 29, Mr Duke described his former party as, “dysfunctional, unable to articulate a road map and lead Nigerians on a clear and concise path to national renewal.” He later revealed how politicians rigged elections in the country after he publicly declared his ambition to run for the presidential elections in 2011.

“I know he intends to play a major role in 2011 but I don’t know under which platform,” Mr Anyanwu said.

Party with brand name

Mr Anyanwu also denied having any talks with Nuhu Ribadu, another presidential candidate; but spoke well of Mr Ribadu’s chairmanship of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

“In our party, we don’t force people,” he said. “Labour Party is a brand name. We can only talk to you, without being immodest, that you are in the wrong place; why not come and run under our platform? Some have moved, but we don’t pressurize people because if you pressurize them, they may jump out when things get worse.” Mr Anyanwu, however, said his party has got four “solid” presidential candidates from which one will emerge after serious screening.

He added that his party, unlike the PDP, was not bothered about which region in the country the candidate was born, but is rather focused on a candidate who will deliver an already mapped out blue print to prosper Nigeria.

“What is important and paramount to us is to have a presidential candidate that can stand the test of time and understands Nigeria and that is ready to work. We don’t want a situation where we have a candidate who does not understand Nigeria but because he is from one part of the country, he is voted into office,” he said.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/News/5614202-147/labour_party_denies_donald_dukes_membership.csp

Politics › Re: North Warns Jonathan Against Use Of EFCC . by Beaf: 1:57pm On Sep 04, 2010

mikeansy:
it does not pay anybody when EFCC is used to shy away from the difficult debate about who is best suited to lead this country.

That is how you have folks like Akala safe from corruption accusation while folks like Amaechi are hounded just because of his political views he holds. The reactionary fight against corruption has not helped the masses but rather been an intimidatory tool for the central Government for those who do not subscribe to their politics. As we speak Jonathan himself just like these Governors have questions of corruption to answer, so they should stop wasting our time with diversionary fight against corruption.

Fighting corruption only on the eve of election is unacceptable.

I never knew EFCC had released their list of suspects to NairaLand! You cannot sit here and be allowed to do IBB's campaigning.

[size=14pt]Let EFCC do its job! [/size]
There is no point campaigning against the rounding up of corrupt officials.

Those who are sponsoring anti-EFCC articles are the corrupt ones that are quaking in their boots.

Politics › Re: El-rufai To Be President Goodluck Jonathan's Campaign Director? by Beaf(op): 1:51pm On Sep 04, 2010

PapaBrowne:
Yeeeaaap!!! Nice one! That would complete it for Jonathan. Hopefully, It also pretty much takes care of the Ribadu on ACN end. I doubt Ribadu would be contesting though.

Yes, it will be a masterstroke. El-Rufai and Ribadu are very highly respected both nationally and internationally. It's the sort of thing the country needs. Dr Tafida is another great guy though, a quiet man whose kids are totally down to Earth and unassuming and without any airs (you can deduce his character from that).

Jonathan is obviously grooming of El-Rufai for further leadership positions. Little by little, we will get a brand new crop of youthful and astute leaders in Nigeria. Both Ribadu and El-Rufai, capable leaders as they are, were chased into exile by Yar Adua's cabal and are being rightfully reinstated at the pinnacle of Nigerian politics.

Uncle Joe is da man!

Politics › Ibb, Sahara Reporters, And The Press by Beaf(op): 1:46pm On Sep 04, 2010

[size=14pt]IBB, Sahara Reporters, and the press [/size]
By Lanre Idowu

Five months ago, a friend of mine, who edits a national daily, sent me a text message agreeing substantially with my column, ‘The Punch and the rest of us’, except the generalised conclusion that “all (journalists) have sinned and fallen short of the glory of the profession”. There are still some journalists, he submits, who toe the narrow path of integrity. Of course I knew where he was coming from, but I also knew the context in which I had made that statement.

I revisit that statement in light of the stories spewing out of the political beat, specifically on the race for the 2011 presidential elections and how it affects the integrity of news.

As part of the effort to sell his candidature for the presidency, former military president, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) invited as many as 40 journalists to his Minna home on August 14 for an interview. I have heard questions asked about why he should invite journalists to his home instead of a public place if he didn’t have an ulterior motive, and why he should offer monetary gifts to the journalists in the name of paying for their transportation.

One news medium, which has championed this opposition in the open, is the online agency, Sahara Reporters. According to SR each of the journalists received N10 million for heeding Babangida’s call on his presidential ambition. That is N400 million just for one night’s interview from an aspirant yet to win his party’s nomination if it were true. But it was not. When some of the journalists complained about the fictional sum, SR changed the story on August 19, saying it was just “a paltry N250, 000 each”. Rather than admit its initial error SR simply said, “our accountants have told us that going by the number of 40 journalists in attendance, we are still around the same ballpark of N10 million”. So much for credible reporting!

Three days later, SR followed up with ‘IBB and his Rogue Journalists’, accusing the journalists of roguery and professional misconduct; roguery, because they collected money from two sources—their employers who presumably authorised and funded the trip and their news source, IBB; misconduct because it is unethical for them to demand/receive gratification from news sources for their services.

And on August 23 in ‘IBB Nocturnal Press Parley: Punch fires Editorial board Chairman’, SR stayed on top of the story by reporting that Adebolu Arowolo, editorial board chairman of the Punch, had lost his job for going on that trip without his management’s approval.

I find five things striking about this development:

One: too many things are taken for granted in Nigerian journalism so that the strange has become the accepted. Many journalists see nothing wrong in accepting money to publish stories. Take for example the age-long practice of facility tours when Governor ‘A’ or Company ‘B’ invites the media and pays for the journalist’s passage and accommodation in expectation of coverage. While the facilitators see it as opening doors to better media access, the journalists, sadly, find such trips augmenting if not guaranteeing their pay for the month. In their thinking new contacts have been cultivated; new horizons are waiting to be explored. The result is a pattern of tainted reporting far from the envisaged professionally processed news served to the public.

Two: both the publishers and the operators must re-evaluate their mission in this business. A trade that thrives on intelligent sourcing of news, credible processing and creative delivery cannot place its personnel in the awkward position of depending purely on the goodwill of outsiders to perform their professional duties. Too many are in journalism with a poorly developed notion of personal, professional and organisational responsibility, which leaves them with exaggerated expectations of their privileged access, and results in unethical conduct.

The publishers need to protect their investment better by providing a setting conducive to ethical journalism, which ultimately is useful to the media organ, the public and the journalist. This includes shopping for, and nurturing committed disciples through regular training and retraining in the organisation’s news management culture and exposure to professional challenges. It extends to prompt reward of enterprise and flushing out the Judas in every dozen. For ultimately, a media organ lacking in credibility is of no value to its stakeholders.

Three: the seeming vindictive bent to convict some persons interferes with the smooth narration that a news story requires. Too often SR twists details to suit its conclusions, thus limiting the respect that its crusades should normally attract.

Four: IBB as a newsmaker has the right to choose the venue and time of his media interactions; it is left to a self-respecting media with a keen sense of history to decide which invitations to honour. Receiving monetary gifts in the name of transport reimbursement, no matter how popular it is, compromises the integrity of news. No serious candidate concerned about the moral health of the country should encourage it.

Five: the loud silence of the mainstream media on the Sahara Reporters expose re-echoes, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of the profession”.

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Opinion/Columns/5613382-184/story.csp

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 ... 589 590 591 592 593 594 595 596 597 (of 876 pages)