Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole
Soyinka, and other advocates of democracy in Nigeria on Wednesday called on journalists
to emulate the virtues of Kunle Ajibade who courageously fought against the
oppressive military rule through his insightful investigative reports.
Soyinka made this call while delivering his opening
remarks at the colloquium in honour of Ajibade at 60 which was held at the
Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos. The
colloquium which was part of the series of activities organised by friends of
Ajibade, had the theme: ‘A Brighter Future for Nigeria and how to get there’.
He observed that Ajibade's career as an
investigative journalist was “an eye-opener” which nullified the belief that
some people in Nigeria are untouchable. With reference to Ajibade’s report on a
former Inspector General of Police (IG) that led to the police chief’s removal
from office, Soyinka highlighted the varying deeds of Ajibade that should be
remembered.
Chaired by a politician, veteran journalist and
elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Osoba, the talk sessions featured prominent
human rights activities such as Femi Falana, Ayo Obe, Ayisha Osori among
others.
The talk session was preceded by a poetry reading
by Obari Gomba and an eulogy by the poet, Odia Ofeimun.
In his submission, Falana urged the government to
enact a law to make military training essential for all Nigerian citizens. This
call was made in reaction to the incessant killings that had been reported in
some parts of the country.
Falana also voiced his concern on the structure of
the Nigerian police and how the system has incapacitated the state governments
in the control of the Nigerian police. He blamed the structure for the cycle of
impunity around criminal activities that had existed in military days and now in
democratic rule.
“In a country where there is impunity,
killings will continue,” he said.
Former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN)
and presidential aspirant, Kingsley Moghalu, lamented over the critical state
of Nigeria’s economy, the culture of recycling political class and national
discord.
In the same vein, a human rights lawyer and former
House of Representative candidate for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayisha
Osori, called for the democratisation of Nigeria’s political parties.
According to him, “Politics in Nigeria is an industry
with stakeholders. It is an industry that does not want new members. We must
challenge the old myth that politics is a dirty game. We must change the
narratives. Politics should be a place for the best of us and not the worst of
us.”
The pro-democracy activist and lawyer, Ayo Obe,
urged Nigerians to seek social inclusion and shun bribery and corruption.
A senior advocate, Lai Babatunde, revealed to the audience
that Ajibade was jailed for a story he did not write but he would not divulge
the identity of the writer.
Other colleagues of the celebrant recounted some
details of their practice as journalists during the military rule and the
constant fear of threat to life.
Babafemi Ojudu recalled some extreme measures taken to
authenticate facts and the consequences.
“13 of us were in detention in different parts of the
country,” he recounted.
The Governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, congratulated
Ajibade, and urged all of them not to be despair over the state of the country,
concluding that the sacrifices made by the likes of Ajibade are in vain.
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