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Former Governor Peter Obi’s tenure in Anambra State is distinguished by significant and forward-thinking contributions to the education sector. Renowned for his innovative and strategic approach, Mr. Obi eschewed the typical political maneuvers of constructing new, unnecessary infrastructure. Instead, he focused on the revitalization and maintenance of existing educational facilities, recognizing that the restoration of these institutions was essential for improving educational quality and integrity across the state.
Under his administration, Anambra consistently delivered outstanding results, notably leading Nigeria in WAEC scores for eight consecutive years. This achievement underscores the efficacy of Mr. Obi’s commitment to enhancing the educational framework without succumbing to the pressures of populist politics.
In a landmark move in 2011, Mr. Obi initiated the return of over 1,000 primary schools to their original owners, primarily churches, with a substantial investment of N6 billion to support their maintenance. This decision was grounded in the belief that the moral decay in society stemmed partly from the improper governance of educational institutions, which had been stripped from their missionary founders during the post-war era by the defunct East Central State Government. By reinstating these schools with their founding bodies, Mr. Obi aimed to reinstate the high standards of discipline and academics associated with them.
This policy did not merely transfer ownership; it fostered a collaborative environment where the state continued to pay staff salaries and the missions managed day-to-day operations, leading to a dramatic turnaround in the academic and moral landscape of these schools. The benefits of this initiative became evident when students from Regina Pacis Model Secondary School, under the auspices of the mission-run schools, clinched a gold medal at the World Technovation Challenge in Silicon Valley, highlighting the global competitive edge Anambra students could achieve.
The success of this educational policy has been widely recognized and upheld by subsequent administrations, further validating Mr. Obi’s visionary leadership. His efforts have been praised by various stakeholders, including religious leaders and educational authorities, who have noted the marked improvement in both the quality of education and the moral calibre of students.
In recognition of his revolutionary approach to education, Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye of the Nnewi Diocese lauded Mr. Obi for his pivotal role in transforming Anambra’s educational landscape. The Bishop emphasized that the return of schools has not only restored educational excellence but has also rekindled the moral and ethical values that the missions strive to instill.
Today, Anambra’s educational achievements continue to reflect Peter Obi’s enduring legacy—an investment in sustainable education reforms that prioritize long-term benefits over short-term gains, ensuring that the leaders of tomorrow are nurtured in institutions that cater to both their academic prowess and moral development.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo has congratulated President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on his victory in the February 25 election.
In a statement yesterday in Awka, the state capital, Soludo urged opponents of the President-elect to go to court for redress, if they have genuine issues about the poll.
The governor promised to partner the incoming Tinubu administration for more developments in Anambra State, saying Nigeria needs healing and restructuring.
He hailed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for the peaceful conduct of the general election, especially the citizens, for turning out to be what he called the real “heroes” of democracy.
“To me, the true heroes of the last elections are the citizens of Nigeria, especially the youths, whose voices will continue to be critical as we collectively strive to build a new Nigeria.
“Nigeria is the winner, and I am confident that a better future lies ahead of us. Congratulations to all Nigerians!
“Let me also congratulate the President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his election. We congratulate your closest opponents for their courageous and impressive outing.
“Nigeria needs healing and restructuring, and the fundamental challenges of insecurity and the economy remain humongous.
“We pledge to collaborate and partner with you and the Federal Government for the development of Anambra State and Nigeria.
“One critical issue that we must draw your urgent attention to is the issue of systemic insecurity in the Southeast.
“While our efforts with the security agencies are yielding significant results, we believe that sustainable peace and security will be enhanced through wider non-kinetic engagements with all critical stakeholders.
“In this regard, may I repeat my previous calls and hereby request our President-elect to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu immediately after swearing-in (that is, if he is not released before then).
“We need him around the table as an important stakeholder in discussions about healing and sustainable peace in the Southeast.
“To our newly elected colleagues (governors-elect), we say a big congratulation. Let us work together, especially under the auspices of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) in pursuit of national common good.
“We also congratulate the elected members of the National and State Assemblies. We also thank millions of Nigerians who voted for candidates of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) across the entire country.”
“As true believers in the potentials of Nigeria, our party will continue to network and collaborate with all like-minded Nigerians and groups to advance the greatness of this country.
“So far, winners have been declared, and those who are dissatisfied with the results have the rights to pursue their grievances through the due process of the law.
“My own political party, the APGA, might challenge several of the results in pursuit of justice.
“While we will take all necessary legal steps to recover the seats we believe that APGA won, especially in Anambra State, but were mistakenly called for other parties, we also know that several of the announced ‘winners’ from other parties are ‘APGA-nised’ and are patriotic citizens of the state.”
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
“I am aware of what His Excellency, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has said about me. I feel that as we age and acquire more responsibilities, we are expected to become more careful in our thoughts and refrain from being irresponsible in our words.
Peter Obi, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, has challenged Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai for tying him to his incarceration in Anambra State years ago.
Mr. El-Rufai, during a Monday interactive session organised by the Arewa Joint Committee in Kaduna, alleged that he was imprisoned in Anambra for 48 hours on the instructions of Mr. Obi, the then-governor of the state, nine years ago.
“In 2013, I travelled to Anambra State as a representative of the APC to observe the byelection for governor. “Your next guest, Governor Peter Obi, had me arrested and imprisoned for 48 hours in my hotel room,” the governor of Kaduna stated.
As the current governor, Mr. El-Rufai stated that he has the security authority to deal with the LP candidate, but he will not do so due to his northern heritage.
Mr. Obi was among the distinguished speakers during the event.
In his defence, the previous governor of Anambra branded the governor’s remark as reckless and inappropriate for public consumption.
“I am aware of what His Excellency, Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, has said about me. I feel that as we age and acquire more responsibilities, we are expected to become more careful in our thinking and refrain from being irresponsible in our words and expressions.
“How does the situation he mentioned relate to bigotry to justify such a label?
He retorted, “All I do for people like El-Rufai is pray for them and encourage them to focus on doing things that would improve the lives of Nigerians rather than engaging in hate rhetoric that will split and destroy the country.”
Mr. Obi stated that he was unable to direct State Security Service (SSS) agents from Abuja to arrest Mr. El-Rufai at the time.
“At the time, the police commissioner was from Adamawa State, and the AIG was from Nasarawa. The GMD responsible for election planning was from Kano. I could not have possibly done that.” I never requested anyone to arrest you, chairman. As Governor of Anambra State, I have the first APC best policeman in Nigeria, and he is from Kano. Where will I issue the order and tell a man who lives in my house every day that I want to deal with his people, and he will comply?”
“I was a member of APGA during the 2010 elections when PDP was the ruling party. How can I order the PDP in Abuja to imprison anyone, when I myself was detained in my own local government?” Mr. Obi asked.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Atiku Abubakar, the People’s Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, has reportedly travelled out of the nation to France to attend to his health difficulties.
According to reports, Atiku left the nation for France shortly after his Kaduna rally on Monday to attend a medical checkup.
On Monday, Tinubu and the PDP’s presidential candidate met at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, where Tinubu asked him where he was going.
He claimed to have just arrived from Kaduna. Atiku was reportedly on his way out of the country at the time.
According to a top source in the Atiku Campaign Organization, Atiku left the nation on Monday night for France, according to the Western Post.
According to the source, his doctors were waiting for him, and he had to leave soon after the rally in Kaduna due to an urgent need to attend to his health.
According to the insider, Atiku has a health issue that he is managing and he has to be in excellent shape as the party moves deeper into the campaign season.
According to the insider, his handlers felt he should respond to pending and normal medical issues as the campaign season became increasingly demanding and took a toll on him.
The United Kingdom is looking at tightening the rules on how many relatives migrants can bring into the country.
According to Daily Mail, UK, it has been discovered that Nigerian migrants bring in the highest number of dependants when compared to other groups of migrants.
It was gathered that the UK Home secretary, Suella Braverman is considering tightening the rules on dependant.
This is coming after Home Office immigration figures showed a startling inconsistency across different nationalities coming to the UK to work and study.
Its report shows that Nigerians accounted for 40% of all dependants who accompanied foreign students in the 12 months to June – despite Nigerian students making up just 7% of all foreign students during the period.
Some 34,000 Nigerians were given study visas in the UK, bringing with them a total of 31,898 dependants. A similar ratio was recorded for work visas, with 8,972 Nigerians issued with one in the 12 months to June bringing with them 8,576 dependants.
A Home Office spokesman said: ‘[This] is the highest on record in our time series, with the substantial increase representing both a recovery from lower numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic but also an increase on the pre-pandemic period.’
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the longest reigning monarch in British history, has died aged 96, Buckingham Palace has announced.
The Queen died on Thursday afternoon at Balmoral Castle in Scotland, the palace said.
“The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon. The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow,” a statement from Buckingham Palace said.
The APC candidate and members of his team are upset that Soyinka “systematically revealed that Tinubu got Parkinson’s disease.
The presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 general election, Bola Tinubu, and members of his campaign team are not happy with the statement made by Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, condemning a viral video showing members of the Pyrates Confraternity mocking the former Lagos State Governor, a source told SaharaReporters on Monday night.
In the video, members of the Confraternity during a procession gyrated to an anti-Tinubu song and poked fun at Tinubu for a speech he made in June in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he asked that power should be handed over to him.
The members of the Pyrates Confraternity sang, “Hand dey shake, leg dey shake, Baba wey no well, e de shout emi lo kan (Hands are shaking, legs are shaking. A sick old man is shouting ‘it’s my turn’).
“Emi lo kan (2ce), Baba wey no well, him dey shout emi lokan (It’s my turn (2ce), a sick old man is shouting ‘it’s my turn’”.
Tinubu, who seemed desperate during the speech had said, ‘Emi lo kan’, meaning ‘It’s my turn’.
He narrated how he consoled President Muhammadu Buhari after he had failed three times to become Nigeria’s President. Eventually, a political alliance spearheaded by Tinubu ensured Buhari won the presidential election in 2015.
However, Soyinka who founded Pyrates Confraternity as a university student in Ibadan, Nigeria, described making a mockery of Tinubu due to his ill-health as distasteful.
“I have listened to the lyrics of the chant intently and I am frankly appalled. I find it distasteful. I belong to a culture where we do not mock physical afflictions or disabilities. Very much the contrary. The Yoruba religion indeed designate a deity, Obatala, as the divine protector of the afflicted, no matter the nature of such affliction. This sensibility is engrained in us from childhood and remains with us all our lives. It operates on the principle of mortal frailty to which all humanity remains vulnerable,” Soyinka earlier said in a statement.
“One of my favorite authors, about whom, by a coincidence, I had cause to write quite recently, was CLR James, author of The Black Jacobins, Beyond A Boundary etc. etc. I called him my ideological uncle. He suffered from Parkinson’s Disease, but remained alert, lucid and combative for decades after the onset of the disease. We interacted politically at the Tanzanian pan-African Congress, the Dakar Festival of Negro Arts and a number of other cultural and political fora.
“We met frequently in his lifetime, dined together in restaurants, despite his challenge. it would be unthinkable, and a desecration of his memory to be part of any activity that mocked his affliction. A further statement will be issued when I have made further enquiries into this strange, uncharacteristic outing of the association.”
However, a close source to Tinubu has told SaharaReporters that the APC candidate and members of his team are upset that Soyinka “systematically revealed that Tinubu got Parkinson’s disease, thereby confirming that he’s an invalid candidate.”
“They are angry that Prof. (Professor Soyinka) revealed too much about Bola Tinubu’s health condition,” he added.
History Of Tinubu’s Recent Medical Tourism
In 2021 alone, Tinubu spent over 80 days patronising hospitals in France, the United States and the United Kingdom where he underwent surgeries leaving behind the poorly equipped hospitals in Nigeria led by the APC government.
He was flown out of the country some days before Christmas in 2020 to Paris, France.
There were speculations that he tested positive for COVID-19 but his media aide later denied such reports.
The APC leader returned to Nigeria on January 24, 2021, after a month’s absence from Nigeria.
He then went for a medical check-up on Thursday, June 10, 2021, to France and was conspicuously absent from the one-day working visit of President Muhammadu Buhari to Lagos State.
“Tinubu is in Paris, France for a medical checkup. His health is deteriorating due to old age,” a top source had told SaharaReporters.
Tinubu, amid death rumours, was forced to return to the country on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.
SaharaReporters also reported that Tinubu was hospitalised in Maryland, the United States in July 2021 where he had knee surgery.
“Tinubu is hospitalised in Maryland, US. His health is failing. He couldn’t participate in launching his Arewa library, and he couldn’t participate in the Local Government Area elections last week. He could not attend today’s APC congress due to health reasons.
“He had a surgery last week,” an authoritative source had disclosed at the time.
On August 9, 2021, Tinubu had another knee surgery at the John Hopkins University Hospital in Maryland, the United States.
The APC chieftain, it was learnt, left the US for the United Kingdom on crutches, a few days after the surgery.
Sources close to Tinubu had told SaharaReporters that he wanted the surgery in Paris, France but changed his plan over rumours of his death.
“Tinubu had his second surgery at John Hopkins University in Maryland recently. He was accompanied by a popular Nigerian doctor in Chicago. He had wanted the surgery in Paris but when rumour was rife about his death, he hurriedly left for Nigeria and went to John Hopkins,” one of the sources had said.
“He left the US for the UK on crutches,” another source had revealed.
In 2021, the President paid a visit to Tinubu in London and the latter was seen with a walking stick during Buhari’s visit, confirming SaharaReporters’ story that he underwent a second surgery in the United States.
Tinubu currently toes the path of President Buhari, who himself has spent hundreds of days on medical leave in the United Kingdom since he assumed office in 2015.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi on Monday held a town hall meeting in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi state to woo voters in the state and further strengthen the campaign of Obi/Datti movement.
The gathering with a huge number of followers across tribes and religions was attended by the National Secretary of LP, Umar Faruk Ibrahim, officials of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Kebbi state, youth movements for Obi and candidates of Labour Party and their executives.
Speaking at the occasion, the chief host who is the state chairman of NLC Kebbi state said that, the party has come to rescue Nigerians from the current state of the nation, as he added that LP belongs to NLC.
He also stated that since the party belongs to organised labour, it, therefore, knows no religion and tribe.
While welcoming the national leaders of the party, comrade Umar Halidu assured them of his chapter’s support and the Obi/Datti movement in Kebbi state.
In his speech, Ibrahim said that they were in Kebbi to sensitise the people of the state on the need for them to vote for the right candidate noting that what is happening in the country knows no religion or tribe “so people should close ranks and vote the right person not minding his religion or tribe ” we are happy with the reception we received in Kebbi and it shows Labour Party is alive in Kebbi, we saw Igbos, Hausas and other tribes.
On what Peter Obi will do differently, the LP national scribe said Obi government if elected will, first of all, stabilise the country and ensure there is a responsible government in place for all Nigerians devoid of nepotism, saying when that is achieved everything will settle including the economy, security and all other sectors in the country will breathe in life.
He explained that out of the 89million votes expected, LP will take at least 70% to 80℅ which means victory “we need a country where every citizen will sleep with his eyes open, a country where every child will go to school rich or poor families.”
My opinion about Buhari in 2015 and now has not changed. He is not a corrupt politician, he will not steal Nigeria’s money, my only problem with him is that I feel he is not in charge of his government, and he is too ethnic conscious.
He seems to appear unaware and lost in his environment. He is excessively tolerant, he even finds it difficult to sack confirmed thieves in his government. In my judgement, he would have done better as a traditional ruler after he retired from the military, rather than attempting to rule a tumultuous country like Nigeria.
OSINBAJO
Osinbajo in my thinking would have been the most qualified to be President if he had emerged successful in the primaries. It was unfortunate that most youths blamed him for failures in BUHARI’s government and called him an accomplice. Well, If you understand the politics and intrigues within the presidency, you will not blame Osinbajo for staying quite.
He was never given an opportunity. Eight years understudying the system is not an experience to throw away. If Tinubu had stepped down for him and thrown his weight behind him, the conversation today would have taken a different tone.
ATIKU
Atiku is different from all the aspirants. He understands the issues, Atiku knows exactly what we call the nigerian problem. Atiku can comfortably discus power supply because he knows the real problem, he understands the central bank, he understands Nigeria. He knows how to manipulate the national assembly to get his way.
One reason I refused to support Atiku as president is because he is part of the reason Nigeria failed. He is an elite, he thinks like an elite, he belongs to the big boys club, he does not understand poverty, he does not know what it means to sleep without light amidst mosquitoes, he does not understand the discomfort, in my thinking he does not have a solution for changing the conditions of the poor. This explains why I did not support him.
TINUBU
Tinubu is a great Nigerian leader. My problem with him is that he built a man, good enough to be president but chose to bring him down rather than promote him to the highest office.
I consider it love for self and power at the detriment of the nation. I listened to Tinubu’s speeches, I really do not think he understands the Nigerian issues from a technocratic point of view.
Tinubu I think has a lot of political capacity and decisiveness, he will be a very tough president if elected, but again, I think age is not on his side and in my thinking he embodies what we call the Nigerian problem. I don’t see him as a reformist, I rather see him as a godfather, or kingmaker, than as a president.
PETER OBI
Peter Obi is personally rich, but he reasons like a poor man. It is not bad to reason like a poor man. His type is what we need now in Nigeria. He is not wasteful, because he understands the importance of money and places value in little things. We need a president who will question every project, and Obi fits the bill.
Obi will not be a president that any aide can control or lead him astray. He will ask questions and expect answers that make sense. As at today, our total national revenue equals the interest we pay on loans. Obi will not take unnecessary loans without asking about the long-term implications, Buhari failed here. Buhari was deceived and led astray to take loans without thinking of the long-term implications on national revenue.
Obi will not tolerate corrupt ministers and will not serve as an ethnic leader. Obi is an Igbo man, but he is more a Nigerian. In times like these, Nigeria needs a leader to unite the country, a leader who will be truly Nigerian, a leader who understands global markets, Industrialization and commerce.
Atiku and Tinubu are great, but truth be told, of the three without mincing words, Nigeria needs a leader like Peter Obi.
The unfolding anarchy and violence in Nigeria are serious matters, and every attempt must be made to keep the public informed. A documentary that investigates and examines government failures while centering on victims and their families would have done that. Giving boastful, bloodthirsty criminals a global platform serves only two purposes. It provides free publicity for terror and enables the BBC to push viewership figures on social media – By Kadaria Ahmed
IT has simply gotten out of hand.
Journalists and now a global media organisation of repute, the BBC, which should know better, are becoming a tool for terrorists, even if unwittingly, by amplifying the faces, voices and stories of killers and marauders who are still operating with impunity across Nigeria.
The public interest argument seems to have been misunderstood, some may even say misrepresented, to enable sensationalist reporting that is very unlikely to be allowed on screens in the United Kingdom. By not upholding the same standards as they would in the UK, in their work in Nigeria, the BBC Africa Eye producers in their latest documentary titled ‘The Bandits Warlords of Zamfara’ have provided a global platform to terrorists and can be accused of becoming an accomplice to terror in the name of reporting it.
When Communications Professor at the University of Toronto, Mahmoud Eid, coined the term ‘Terroredia’, in his book ‘Exchanging Terrorism Oxygen for Media Airwaves’, he argues that there is now a ‘relationship between terrorists and media professionals in which acts of terrorism and media coverage are exchanged, influenced, and fuelled by one another.’ Since it was written seven years ago, it would appear the case Eid was trying to make is now quite self-evident, especially in Nigeria where increasingly, propaganda videos and statements by terror groups as well as features on terror leaders are finding their way into mainstream media. We can now easily identify, for example, the faces of the major kingpins responsible for the widespread kidnappings and killings that are occurring on a daily basis in the Northern part of Nigeria, no thanks to having their pictures and videos splashed all over the pages of newspapers and on our television screens almost as if they are Nollywood A-listers.
None of these has ‘helped’ Nigeria’s inept government, led by President Muhamadu Buhari, to find and arrest these blood-thirsty criminals. The ‘pressure’ has also not stopped the administration from playing ostrich and finding an effective way of tackling insecurity. These are some of the public interest arguments put forward by those defending the featuring of predatory criminals on national and now international media platforms.
The arguments also include an assertion that hearing from terrorists helps us better understand the conflicts and therefore come up with solutions. Under the guise of public interest, this is the argument that BBC Africa Eye seems to be presenting, to justify its decision to actively give copious screen time to self-confessed murderers and kidnappers, who are still actively involved in attacking communities, killing, kidnapping, pillaging and generally making life brutish and a living hell for the people of Nigeria’s North-western State of Zamfara and beyond.
The two promotional clips released for the documentary, The Bandits Warlords of Zamfara, feature a marauder who should remain nameless here, confirming that he was part of those who raided Jengebe Girls’ Secondary School in the state, abducting over 300 students with the attendant horror of these sorts of crimes normally entail, and releasing them, after the payment of ransom. Evidently, the BBC Africa Eye team also had no problem utilising footage that appears to have been shot by these self-confessed criminals because this makes it into the second trailer. No media of repute would take this decision because it is generally understood that these sorts of videos are recorded by terrorists for one thing only: propaganda.
Reports on the documentary in national newspapers also quote one of the featured criminals boasting that he only kills, and doesn’t kidnap for ransom. This is the nature of the program that the ‘reputable’ BBC Africa Eye is positioning as having a public interest imperative.
To be clear, the current state of insecurity and all that it entails is the fault of the Federal Government, led by President Muhammadu Buhari, and he must be held responsible for the carnage and state of anarchy engulfing the nation. That does not however mean irresponsible reporting by the media, which as champion of interest of the common man, should not be challenged.
If terrorists were killing and kidnapping British citizens, especially young children, the BBC would not enable interviews by the perpetrators, particularly if they were still roaming footloose and fancy-free, without an iota of remorse for their crimes and also carrying out many more. The trauma to the psyche of the British public will be unbearable, and the BBC would not be willing to pay that price, or risk the legal consequences sure to ensue.
In the era of the Irish Republican Army, the IRA, for example, the group didn’t make it onto the airwaves of the BBC. Indeed, reporting of the activities of the political party seen as the political arm of the IRA, Sein Fein, was heavily censored. Every time they spoke, the BBC deleted their voices and replaced such with those of actors, in obedience to British Government directives which were put in place because the authorities believed publicity is like air for ‘terrorists’ groups, helping them to grow and thrive. And even though Sein Fein shared what many might argue is only an ideological position with the IRA, they were denied a presence on British airwaves in substantial ways.
Here in Nigeria, concerns about the impact the amplification of terrorists’ voices will have on victims, their families and the public appear to be a secondary consideration to the BBC’s insistence on hearing from the bandits’ first-hand accounts and justification for their murderous activities.
There is no good argument that can justify the damage this is doing to the public that includes the school girls in Jangebe, who can now in perpetuity, watch the story of their abductions from the mouth of their abductors and relive the attendant trauma of that horrible crime.
For all of these school girls, victims and their families, the BBC Africa Eye has confirmed their attackers’ invincibility. By documenting and handing over on a platter of gold one of the most respected media brands in the world to justify their actions, the BBC has iconised violent men leading marauding militias that are killing, abducting, maiming and leaving terror in their wake across large swathes of Nigeria and who are clearly neither sorry for their crime nor looking to stop anytime soon.
It is hard to see how this will not contribute to deepening fear, mistrust, hopelessness and damage to the national psyche while undoubtedly helping with recruitment, all ingredients that actively contribute to successful outcomes for terror groups.
The public’s right to know is a sacrosanct tenet of journalists who are not and should not be in the job of censoring news. Finding the balance between that and ensuring media platforms do not provide the oxygen of publicity for terrorists and criminals is not easy, but it is at these difficult junctures that good journalism needs to stand its ground.
Recognising the importance of getting it right globally, experts including those at the BBC have taken the trouble to develop guidelines for reporting difficult stories including stories of conflict and terrorism. The German Press Code, for example, says “in reporting actual and threatened acts of violence, the Press should carefully weigh the public’s interest in information against the interest of victims and other people involved. It should report on such incidents in an independent and authentic way, but not allow itself to be made the tool of criminals. Nor should it undertake independent attempts to mediate between criminals and the police. THERE MUST BE NO INTERVIEWS WITH PERPETRATORS DURING ACTS OF VIOLENCE.”
The German guidelines are unequivocal about not giving airtime to criminals involved in ongoing criminal activities and for very good reason. The BBC’s editorial guidelines are more watery, perhaps explaining why the BBC Africa Eye team is able to be cavalier about such a critical issue. But even these guidelines say “any proposal to approach an organisation (or an individual member of an organisation) designated a ‘terrorist group’ by the Home Secretary under the Terrorism Acts, and any proposal to approach individuals or organisations responsible for acts of terror, to participate in our output must be referred in advance to Director Editorial Policy and Standard and also any proposal to broadcast content made by perpetrators of a hijacking, kidnapping, hostage-taking or siege must be referred to a senior editorial figure.’’
The questions to answer therefore include: did senior people in London at the BBC fully understand that they were authorising the recording of terrorists who are still active and who between them have been responsible for the abduction, rape and killings of thousands of people including school children?
There are other questions.
When homeland terrorists committed the inconceivable crime of hacking British soldier Lee Rigby to death in May 2013, would the BBC have considered it in the public interest to interview these terrorists? To compare apples with apples, imagine that hero Rigby’s murderers were never held for their crimes, continued butchering people and collecting seven-figure ransoms, would the BBC dare to send reporters to film the murderers gloating about collecting ransom, and then hold Twitter Spaces and bask in views, clicks and likes?
The answer is NO. The BBC would never dare.
Why then is the BBC okay to fund, then publicise the glorification of practising murderers still butchering hundreds across Nigeria and the Chad Basin? How did this three-year disregard for African lives come about, and why is this acceptable?
By their own admission, the BBC Africa Eye producers claim their reporting occurred over three years. This is clearly well before the crime against the school girls in Jangebe occurred. These bandits and their factions commit cross-border crimes. Therefore, as a matter of urgent national and regional security, other questions which the BBC must answer publicly, in the actual interest of the public include:
In all these years it was conducting these ‘investigations’ of terrorists, did the BBC harbour information on potential criminal or actual crimes that happened and did the BBC withhold this information from the relevant African security authorities?
After the particular interviews in which the murderers admit their collection of ransoms, and committing acts of kidnap, did the BBC hand over any of these footage to the authorities, and do so in a timely manner?
What footage and information has the BBC handed over to law enforcement, since the publication of this documentary?
In covering a subset of criminals for three years, the BBC has brazenly admitted that it was shooting criminals before, during and after the commission of dastardly crimes that have destroyed generations present and unborn.
The BBC Africa Eye documentaries series have been designed specifically for release on social media platforms (Facebook and YouTube). Given the programme’s track record of dubious editorial decisions and accusations of unethical behaviour including by local reporters who worked with them, BBC managers in London should also explain if the decision to put this documentary out on social media was designed to ensure its producers are not held to the high global broadcast standards the BBC is known for and which are applicable to content broadcast within the UK?
When BBC Africa Eye did a story on drug addiction in Nigeria, there were attempts by a producer to sensationalise some of the reporting, to make it more gripping. On that occasion, he was working with a seasoned and brave journalist who pushed back.
When they did a story on Sex for Grades, the two reporters responsible for the story ended up trading blame on social media over sex for by-line allegations. Again, the producers didn’t come out smelling of roses.
An investigative report by them on a popular talk show host in Nigeria who is revered by millions saw the journalist who did that reporting fleeing his home together with his family as a result of threats to his life.
The BBC failed in its duty of care to this local journalist and in the end fellow journalists had to rally around to provide him with safe spaces.
In all, the team at BBC Africa Eye appears to be striving to do reporting that would be unacceptable in the UK for being unethical and transparently against public interest.
The problem is they have capitalised on the justified anger of the people and the inconceivable failure of the government, to once again resurrect the ugliest vestiges of colonialism, which one had hoped were long buried.
The unfolding anarchy and violence in Nigeria are serious matters, and every attempt must be made to keep the public informed. A documentary that investigates and examines government failures while centering victims and their families would have done that.
Giving boastful, bloodthirsty criminals a global platform serves only two purposes. It provides free publicity for terror and enables the BBC to push viewership figures on social media.
It does nothing for public service. Even if it does not realise it, the BBC’s reputation for stellar public service journalism is being damaged.
Black lives, their humanity and national security should matter more than clicks.
Hopefully, someone in London will take note.
**Kadaria Ahmed, a former Senior Producer at the BBC in London, is now CEO at Radio Now 95.3FM Lagos
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