Journalists tasked to expose corrupt, violent politicians

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Former Senate Chief Whip, Senator Roland Owie, has tasked journalists to expose corrupt politicians who want to perpetuate violence as the nation prepares for the conduct of the 2015 general elections.

Owie stated this at the launch of the Edo state Correspondent chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ)’s secretariat complex held in Benin the state capital.

He said if journalists had exposed Boko Haram at the early stage of its onslaught, Nigeria would not have been where it is presently, adding that, “if the nation stands (survives) or fails, it depends on media correspondents to expose the truth” about happenings in the polity.”

Also speaking, the Esogban of Benin, Chief David Edebiri, called on the feuding members of the Edo state House of Assembly to sheath their swords and come together to move the state forward.

He cautioned a segment of the electronic media houses in the state against divisive reportage of the crisis, pointing out that the palace has the capacity to also “blackmail” them.

Also commenting on the assembly crisis, a chieftain of the PDP and governorship aspirant, Barrister Kenneth Imasuagbon, expressed sadness about the division in the state legislature and urged the state governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and leadership of the PDP to come together and resolve the crisis.

“I call on the governor and the PDP leadership to come together to reconcile the house. I am asking the Edo people to rise to challenge the disunity in the politics of Edo state,” Imasuagbon said.

Former minister of works (state), Engr. Chris Ogiemwonyi, in his comment, commended members of the House who stood for the truth and enjoined the suspended member to obey court order so that the state could continue to enjoy peace.

He urged journalists to expose corruption, sustain the nation’s values and report accurately even as he condemned impunity in governance in the country.

In his speech, the Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Simon Ebegbulem, explained that the idea of the secretariat was conceived to give members a conducive working environment.

Ebegbulem however urged governor Adams Oshiomhole’s administration to urgently do something about the traffic congestions which he said was becoming a problem in parts of Benin City, especially the cith centre, just as he urged the state government to take steps to check the trend.