THE FACULTY PRESS: A PARTNER IN PROGRESS

LOLADE OLU-OJEGBEJE

It is a common knowledge that the press is as important in any political state as they are the fourth realm of the estate. The press has therefore worked earnestly to ensure that her duties of news reportage as well as holding leaders accountable are performed to the fullest.

However, the President of the faculty, Daniel Anagwonye (Simple) has decided to turn a blind eye and choose to label the Press ‘negative’. One would naturally ask what would warrant such statement. During the presentation of the AFAS book budget to the house on Friday, 13th December, discussions were upheld on photo sessions to be included: that of the photos of the Executive, members of the FLC, the CPS, as well as Mr. and Miss AFAS. A pressman then observed that the press was excluded and asked why the editors of AFAS Press were at least not being considered for the photo session. The Speaker of the House asked the president if the press would be included. The president quickly responded by saying that

“The press has always been negative. I don’t know why they want to be on our book.”

The speaker then laughed and responded that it was up to the executive to do what they deem fit to the press and the observation raised by the pressman was dissolved.

Analysing the President’s statement, “our book” is rather an ambiguous word. However, it would do Mr. President a lot of good to be reminded that AFAS is an association that comprises of different bodies. It is therefore rather ridiculous for one part of the association or maybe two to refer to the yearly book (paid for by all members of the association) as “our book”. The president seems to have forgotten that the books are solely the property of the association and not that of himself and whosoever he meant by ‘our’.

Another thing the president of the association mentioned was that the press has always been negative. This is rather a very demeaning thing to say. First, the sole aim of the press has been to ensure AFASITES know every detail of what is going on in the faculty, good or bad. However, it seems the president has deliberately decided to turn a blind eye, and label the press as “always negative”.

Apart from news reportage, another important duty of the press, backed by the constitution of the nation is to hold leaders accountable. The press is one important arm that keeps leaders on their toes. What then happens if leaders are not ready to do what they are elected to do?

The president may of course need to be reminded that the press serves as a watch dog over other arms in the faculty. It is therefore a major responsibility to report every news story, be it good or bad. The press simply reports, celebrates when there is the need for it, as well as criticizes when the need for it comes also.

One of the qualities of a leader they say is the ability to embrace criticism. If the press has criticised any of Mr. President’s actions or that of his cabinet, one would expect that he embraces this criticisms and do better rather than label an independent organisation ‘negative’.

Mr. President seems to have also forgotten so quickly the role the press played when he was impeached by the former Speaker of the House, Hon. Peter Olagunju. The press reported every event that transpired in the House that day, unbiased. The press took both sides of the stories, as well as reported again when he was reinstated alongside the then Deputy Speaker, Hon. Olumide Osinuga. It would not be overlooked that the president has decided to speak ill of an independent organisation.

More shocking was the reply of the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Osinuga Olumide. He decided in his ‘ power’ to say the president should do what he deems fit to the press. One would expect the Speaker to know that the Press is an independent organisation independent of both the executive as well as the House. Therefore, it is rather condescending for an intellectual in his position to tell the president to do to the press as he deems fit.

Over time, many leaders have failed to acknowledge the importance of the press in the smooth running of the association. They seem to have forgotten so soon the role the press plays in the prevention of tyranny, bad leadership and fraudulent activities. It is quite funny how very many of these political stakeholders in the faculty want to be in the good books of the Press. Unsurprisingly, this is the same thing that is present in the Nigerian society. Before now, Journalists have been termed instruments of destruction. Hence, lack of freedom of the press has been the order of the year. Journalists are the most haunted people in Nigeria and in many parts of the world. For what? Simply because they have taken up a responsibility to report issues affecting the nation, hold leaders accountable as well as uncover all forms of vices.

It is rather surprising that young leaders who ought to be agents of change are in no way different from the people in the system they want to change. What is the assurance that a leader who labels the press ‘negative’ will ensure the freedom of the press if he ever becomes President of the nation? Or perhaps he could even go ahead to sanction The Punch Newspaper for their resolute decision to refer to the president of the country has Major General. On the part of the Speaker, what is the assurance that an honourable like him will be able to speak up in the face of tyranny since he can voluntarily tell the president to do as he deems fit?

The president as well as the Speaker has not only shown their lack of reverence for the other bodies within the association, they have also shown a part of the kind of leaders they would become later. The Press however, remains undaunted as it will continue to report all issues concerning the association undiluted.