cc: Mynd44, Lalatiscala

By Dr Tom Ohikere

The clarification by the management of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) that Distinguished Senator Dino Melaye truly graduated from the institution did not only lay to rest the malicious and self stretched allegation of certificate forgery against him but it also showed how jaundiced the media has become in the contemporary democracy.

A controversial online News medium, Sahara Reporters had alleged that Senator Melaye did not graduate from ABU, alleging that, the Kogi West Senator did not pass some core courses which could have qualified him for graduation. Senator Melaye has since sued the publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore to a federal High Court sitting in Abuja for alleged defamation of character and cyberstalking.

Senator Melaye is demanding 5 billion naira for damages. Surprisingly however, some main stream media also joined the Mêlée of self-tagged investigative journalism aimed at denting the image of distinguished Senator Melaye and possibly silencing him from ventilating his mind while carrying out his constitutional assignment as a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The Punch in its Sunday edition being 26th March, 2017 alleged that its investigation into the certificate forgery allegation took a new dimension as it said, Senator Dino’s name was not found on the ABU Alumni’s website thereby lending its voice to the belief that Dino did not graduate from the school. This has further proven the dearth of investigative journalism in Nigeria and endanger nascent and reduce the trust that people have in the media.

However, some analysts have said that, the certificate scandal could be traced to the Senator Dino’s stand and his outspokenness on some issues of national importance which is perceived in most cases to be variance from the prism of the power that be. A point of order was subsequently raised by Senator Ali Ndume calling the attention of the upper chamber to the alleged certificate forgery as reported in a section of the media which necessitated the Red Chamber to mandate its committee of Ethic and Privilege and Public petitions to investigate the case. The committee which was headed by Senator Samuel Anyanwu, met on Monday with Senator Melaye and the Vice Chancellor of ABU, Prof. , Ibrahim Garba in attendance.

Meanwhile, On his part, Prof Ibrahim who sighted the school’s record, said Senator Melaye successfully graduated from the school with a third class in Geography. As the time Senator Melaye was studying Geography in ABU, geography department was still domiciled at the school’s faculty of Art before it was later moved to the faculty of Science after a deliberation on the scientific nature of geography by the school authorities. This explains why his certificate reads BA in geography.

However, while addressing the committee, Senator Melaye tendered several documents before the hallowed committee to substantiate his stand that he truly and successfully went through ABU and has his certificate to that regards. Among the document tendered by Senator Melaye included, his admission latter, the acceptance letter, his final year result, his statement of results and his NYSC discharge certificate. Still for the records, senator Melaye who is presently pursuing his 2nd degree of masters in law enforcement and criminal justice, after acquiring masters in international affairs and diplomacy.

Before now, ABU, Zaria has sent his transcript to University of Jos for advance diploma in law, security and conflict management. He is also presently rounding up another masters degree in policy analysis in university of Abuja, he has since completed his course work and presently working on his thesis for defense. Having failed in his malicious attempts to nail Dino to the wall of disgrace, Sahara Reporters and his cohorts are now wallowing in their self inflicted pains and are still finding it extremely difficult to nurse their wounds. Rather than being ashamed of his biased reports, and for unnecessarily heating up the polity, Sahara Reporters who always claims of being an Omnipresent Media house still went ahead to discredit what ABU’s VC said. It is only with Sahara Reporters that a department’s exams officer of a university has powerful voice than the Vice Chancellor who by laws is known as the Chief Executive of the school.

The truth is, Sahara Reporters has overstayed its welcome in our country and it is high time appropriates authorities regulate the activities of the media and probably shift off the non professional among them otherwise, it will reach a point whereby the same media that was used to fight for the return of our democracy will still be the same arsenal to kill the democracy. It has become a whipping stick in the hands of the power that be to attack those who see things differently from the view of its paymasters, otherwise, how would Sahara Reporters whose Publisher studied Geography and Planning think that, an individual can forge a geography certificate from a prestigious university, such as the Ahmadu Bello University and get away with it?

This also showed how fake the so-called journalistic investigation of this era has become. I am a not graduate of ABU, Zaria, but one thing we have known ABU for over the year is its precious integrity. ABU’s glory over time is in the integrity of its certificate. And the pride of ABU over the years lies in the joy that each of its graduates can always be proud of its certificate not minding the class of the degrees. Let me put the record straight without equivocation that Senator Dino never says he served in 1999 but posted a photo of his final year set of 1999/2000 Academic session set in NYSC camp who were posted to Kaduna for service. It suffice it to say that, Senator Melaye presented his NYSC discharge certificate on Monday while addressing the aforementioned senate committee but it should also be noted that Senator Melaye’s NYSC discharged certificate did not read 1999 as those who are in the business of blackmailing are alleging.

A perusal through Dino Melaye’s NYSC discharged certificate shows that, he started his national service year between 9th July, 2000 through 8th July, 2001 and he served at the Police College, Kaduna. The record is there for any doubting Thomas to verify. The intelligent Senator did only serve his fatherland with lethargy but with always the passion and energy within his which made him to win the Director General NYSC’s national price. An uncommon feat that could only be achieved by dedicated corps members who have vowed the serve their fatherland both in the sun and the rain.

A lot of people who do not know much about Senator Melaye may not know that, the distinguished Senator is not only courageous and outspoken but he is also an intelligent individual with good academic records from his formative years. Dino melaye has exhibited many leadership traits from birth as from class one to five in primary school, he was the class monitor while in class 6 he was made the school’s head boy and in secondary school, he was the class monitor from form JSS one and later emerged as the school’s deputy head. Besides, Senator Melaye was the president of the school’s press and debate club. He attended AbdulAzeez Attah Memorial college, Okene.

It is therefore instructive to tame unprofessionalism associated with the modern day journalism in the country especially that the country is warming up for the 2019 general elections whose timetable has been released by the Nation’s electoral umpire, INEC.

Dr Tom is the Managing Director of thebroom Media Platform

Source: http://thebroom.ng/dino-melaye-sahara-reporters-journalism/

Source: http://thebroom.ng/senate-didnt-buy-vehicle-298m/

cc: mynd44, lalatiscala

Our attention has been drawn to the various false and mischievous reports in the media about the price of the vehicle which the Senate was said to have bought as part of its convoy but was later abandoned when it got impounded by the Customs over controversy surrounding import duty payment.

The correct price of the vehicle when it was imported in 2015 is $298,000 which at the prevailing rate of N165 to a dollar is about N49,170. The Senate paid N62.5m for the vehicle in November 2015. This is contrary to the mischief by those who decided to turn the $298,000 to N298m as the price of the vehicle. For the avoidance of doubt, the price of that vehicle is N62.5m and not N298m.

The Senate will appreciate it if all reports relating to the legislative institution, particularly on this vehicle matter, are reported with accuracy and all facts put in proper perspective. We urge journalists to avoid sensationalism. The Senate is a responsible institution and those who believe that when they have issues to explain before it, the next thing to do is to resort to falsehood, blackmail, muck-raking and mud-slinging, should know that they are just overheating the polity and undermining our democratic institution.

Finally, the Senate wish to reiterate our total commitment to upholding the rule of law and to work for Nigerians, in accordance with our constitution.

Signed
Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi
Chairman, Senate Committee on Media and Publicity

Source: http://thebroom.ng/saraki-nothing-importation-vehicle-says-aide/

Special Adviser to Senate President on media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu has stated that The Allegation raised today by Senator Ali Ndume Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to the Importation of Vehicle lacks a Basis as it was outright falsehood.

In a press statement, Olaiyonu said from the facts and documents about the seized vehicle, it vis obvious that the Senate President has nothing to do with the importation of any vehicle.

" A supplier was engaged by the senate to supply a Vehicle. While transferring the Vehicle between Lagos and Abuja, it was impounded by the customs. We believe that is an issue betwen the Supplier and the customs because the Senate has not taken delivery. So why is somebody trying to drag in the name of Saraki into the issue?

The documents on the Vehicle are there for the general public to view and make their conclusions. Now that the matter has been referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, all the Facts will be out", Olaniyonu Stated.

Signed

Yusuph Olaniyonu

Special Adviser ( Media and Publicity)

Special Adviser to Senate President on media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu has stated that The Allegation raised today by Senator Ali Ndume Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to the Importation of Vehicle lacks a Basis as it was outright falsehood.

In a press statement, Olaiyonu said from the facts and documents about the seized vehicle, it vis obvious that the Senate President has nothing to do with the importation of any vehicle.

" A supplier was engaged by the senate to supply a Vehicle. While transferring the Vehicle between Lagos and Abuja, it was impounded by the customs. We believe that is an issue betwen the Supplier and the customs because the Senate has not taken delivery. So why is somebody trying to drag in the name of Saraki into the issue?

The documents on the Vehicle are there for the general public to view and make their conclusions. Now that the matter has been referred to the Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, all the Facts will be out", Olaniyonu Stated.

Signed

Yusuph Olaniyonu

Special Adviser ( Media and Publicity)

PMBis serious about the livelihood of the Common man.

DAY 2 of the event--



9am - 11.am

SECTION 1

- Media Responsibility and Agenda Setting in APC led administration. This paper will address Media Strategies for the Improvement of the relationship between the Government, the media and the People. It will also focus on Regulating the new Media.

11am - 3pm

BREAK

3pm - 4pm

PRESENTATION--

Progressive Governors Award and Broom Media Stake Holders Forum.

4pm - 8pm

CLOSING CEREMONY

Buffet/ Award Night..



More details to follow soon.

Kogi State Government introduces Whistle Blower Policy with immediate effect


View the Picture of the Press release below

ponzihater:
The scale had fallen off my eyes, the biggest
economic boom comes in the period of economic
melt down.

True Talk!!

The Honorable Commissioner of Information Adamawa State - Commissioner Ahmad Sajoh

LIVE--

Doctor John Alabi- says the recession is a blessing in disguise-- refined gold has to go through fire.

Join the conversation Online -- #theBroomMedia

LIVE-


TheBroom Media was registered as - APC NEWS ONLINE-


This is to Counter fake news been spread online by the Opposition. -- Dr Tom Ohikere

LIVE--



Speech by the Director - Thebroom Media - Dr Tom Ohikere

Right now---

Keynote Address by Honorable Idiat Babalola - Representing the Executive Governor of Osun State .

PROGRAMME OF EVENTS

MONDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2017

8am - 10am -- ARRIVALS ( Registration of Attendees)

10am - 2pm -- OPENING CEREMONY

- Arrival of guests

- Attendees

- National Anthem

- Opening Prayer

- Introduction

- Welcome Speech

- Goodwill Messages ( Senate President, Honorable Minister of Information, DG PGF and National Publicity Secretary)

- Responses

- TheBroom Media Unveils

- Closing Remarks

- Inspection of Exhibitions

2pm - 3pm --- BREAK

3pm - 4pm -- PLENARY

A Critical Apraisal of APC led Government under President Muhammadu Buhari...

The 1st Broom Media Stakeholders Round-table is holding Live at Reiz Continental Hotel Abuja. from today Monday 27th February 2017 to Tuesday 28th February 2017.



OBJECTIVES OF THE EVENT:

- To Bring together experts to examine issues consistent with the Vision of APC in relation to Media.

- To review and discuss critical media research and case studies related to issues of public Communication in the direction of the Government.

- To raise Public awareness on issues in the Challenges and Prospects of the APC government and to increase visibility of the APC Presidency and State Government.

- To Provide forum of Interaction for Stakeholders.

- To Develop Clear Consensus that enables immediate bridge of the gaps between the government and the people.

- To develop recommendations for the future.

- To publish the outcomes of the conference in national and foreign media.

- To key into the Broom Media platform.

- To herald the PROGRESSIVE GOVERNORS PRODUCTIVITY AWARD.


AGENDA OF THE EVENT:

-Media lectures

- Session with major print media owners and operators

- Session with broadcast media owners

- Session with Key Media operators.

- Pictorial Exhibition of State Government Projects (Completed and Ongoing)

- Inauguration of Broom Media Stakeholders Forum.

- Media Presentation of Progressive Governors Productivity Award.

- Round-table Buffet Dinner/ Gala Nite.

- Commendation/ Certification of APC leaders in support of Media.

AUDIENCE:

- APC National Leaders

- APC State Governors

- Members of the State Executive Council

- APC State Representatives

- APC State Commissioners of Information

- Special Advisers (Media)

- Chief Press Secretaries

- Local Government PROs

-APC States PROs

- Heads of State Radio & Television Stations


...Live Details to Follow Shortly.

Lets hear what you think!!