I used to respect Vanguard Newspaper a lot, but not anymore. And this is because they have sacrificed professionalism for personal non-professional vendetta.
I don’t know whether the newspaper has something personal against the Minister of Youth and Sports, Barrister Solomon Dalung or not, but I have watched the unfolding drama of their vendetta with consternation, shame and embarrassment.
This has gravitated to a new height when the newspaper pictured the Minister on the back page of its Thursday (11th August 2016) edition standing with a tray on the queue waiting for food and criticized him for it, labeling the action a national embarrassment.
The Nigerian Media has always been critical of our leaders, public officials, including Ministers, but for reasons like violating or being disrespectful of traffic lights; or for assuming the statutes of demi-gods and living false lifestyles, or even being unrealistic. We are the people crucifying our leaders for adopting lifestyles that are not consistent with their peers in the civilized world, yet Vanguard labels a simple action like waiting on the queue for food by a Minister a national embarrassment. I find this is ridiculous and worrisome.
First, it is ridiculous because journalists pride themselves as the fourth realm of the state; meaning they have joint responsibility for nation building with government because they do not only influence public opinion, they shape it. So I expected Vanguard to see something noble and honourable in the Minister’s action and encourage Nigerians to emulate, but no, they would not.
I wonder whether this is a mere case of mischief or absolute delusion or professional incompetence but I expected more depth from Vanguard. It is shameful that a newspaper of Vanguard’s repute will commit so much energy and resources, not in supporting worthy developmental causes through its corporate social responsibility, but in trying to discredit an individual to the point of monitoring a basic everyday-life activity like waiting for food.
Secondly, it is worrisome because of the realized that Vanguard’s position and perception of the Minister’s action reveals an inner deficiency of knowledge, maturity, professionalism and even patriotism. And with this kind of attitude, I weep for Nigeria and ask, ‘then what change are we crying for?
The simple fact that Vanguard has concluded that it is no longer normal for government officials to be normal and live a normal simple life portends a clear and present danger for the country. Its continued existence or the elements within it with this viewpoint, may hinder the attainment of change we so desire, because they will continue to churn out poisonous publications that will shape ananti-establishment among the people mindset.
I believe the people in other climes who would read Vanguard’s critique of the Minister will similarly find it absurd and wonder where the newspaper’s sense of values have gone. To these people, what the Minister has done is perfectly normal and we need to encourage our leaders to behave in similar manner in Nigeria.
We have seen the media publishing pictures of Tony Blair in public trains, the Mayor of London at a bus stop waiting for bus, and other top public figures carrying their bags at airports. If Vanguard Newspaper has not allowed its pessimistic personal issues with the Minister to becloud its better judgment for corporate objectivity and sense of responsibility, why then is Dalung’s action a national embarrassment?
Perhaps, it is just a curious case of deliberate mischief and professional delusion by Vanguard Newspaper.
Maiwada Danmallam
Special Assistant,
Honorable Minister, Youth & Sports
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