Pastor T.B. Joshua Tried to Keep the Culture of Corruption and - TopicsExpress

Pastor T.B. Joshua Tried to Keep the Culture of Corruption and Impunity Alive, but Nicholas Ibekwe Started the Campaign to Bring Back Our Honor In the midst of all the craziness going on in Nigeria 24/7, I like to remember Nicholas Ibekwe – the Nigerian journalist who refused to take the N50,000 given by Pastor T. B. Joshua to each reporters that visited him lately in respect of the tragedy of his collapsed building that have taken the lives of about 115 people (the exact number is still in question). The audio tape of this unfortunate encounter between Joshua and some journalists was leaked and had been played many times all over the world. The Nigerian Press is now under the radar of the Nigerian public in particular and the entire world that have raised their antennas up and have been watching the Nigerian Press as the latest victim of corruption and impunity (thanks to Facebook and Twitter). Unfortunately, some so called prominent journalists have dragged the reputation of the Press further into the mud by giving various crazy excuses for receiving “fuel money” from T. B. Joshua who is currently under investigation by the Lagos State Government to determine the true cause and factors responsible for this unnecessary and avoidable disaster. While we are caught up in the back and forth about the legitimacy, morality or the ethics of receiving such money, we should not forget the man who has given Nigerians something to think about – the campaign to “Bring Back Our Honor” have started. It takes just one bold act of honesty and integrity by an individual at a time when others refused to practice what they preach. As a journalist, the symbolism is even more real and significant considering that the Press is widely believed to be the voice of the people. His name is Nicholas Ibekwe. He was the only journalist that did not receive the money offered by Joshua. He has not stated his reasons for refusing to take such money,(at least I am not aware) but his refusal spoke louder than his words. Journalism, especially investigative reporting, is not about managing impression or image laundering. It is a duty as dangerous as that of a soldier. While a soldier is defending the territorial integrity of his country, an investigative reporter is defending the integrity of truth, justice, liberty, human rights and the rule of law. He can easily lose his life as quickly as a soldier. Investigative journalism is a voluntary profession where only those who are driven by the passion for truth and justice dare enlist. However, like any other profession, it is not out of place to find rogues and criminals camouflaging as journalists. Nicholas Ibekwe proved to be one of the best of his class. There is no gainsaying that he proved to be a leader of exemplary character. He proved by his moral uprightness and the exercise of professional ethics that not all Nigerians are rogues, thieves, liars and criminals, unreliable, unstable and demoralized elements. Nigeria has decent men and women of integrity and honor with the high sense of duty and intelligence in citizenship, Ibekwe by his actions, have spoken in behalf of many Nigerians who are victims of the bad reputation that even President Jonathan and his goons have made for the country in recent times. His refusal to receive such “blood money” has given us hope that Nigeria has the chances of becoming a country that would lead Africa successfully into new horizons of freedom, political democracy, justice and better standard of living for majority black people all over the world. Political leaders running after power and illicit money should go fishing for this kind of person for position of power. I doubt it though. Not, when some of his colleagues are mad at him for exposing their shameful acts. Here is what makes the brave man whose love for investigative journalism knows no bounds: “He is the ninth child in a family of 11 siblings.” So, he is very competitive? Of course, but that was not what makes him to be so “competitive,” honest and determined; rather, Ibekwe is a rugged warrior for truth and justice shaped by the most notorious slum environment in Lagos called Moroko. The odd against anyone trying to seek truth in such environment is less than 1 in 100. Yes, you will be mauled down in a heartbeat just for looking like you are trying to know something out of the ordinary. However, like all special breed species, this guy lived and survived these slums; went to the Lagos State University, Ojo to study English and started working as journalist with NEXT newspaper. His uprightness and dedication to duty paid off as he “won several awards and recognitions in investigative reporting. These awards and recognitions includes 2009 Wole Soyinka Award for Investigative Reporters with the story on the proliferation of hired armies in the trouble Niger-Delta; Runner-up of the same award in 2010; commended in the prestigious MultiChoice/CNN African Journalists of the Year Award and a finalist in the biggest award for investigative reporters in Africa – The Fair (Forum for African Investigative Reporters) Awards in 2010 and 2011. For those justifying corruption by any guise including the argument that reporters are not paid well or that even editors and other journalists are engaged in this corrupt practices, you need to rap your head around the fact that the vicious circle of corruption and impunity cannot stop until we stand for what is good and honorable individually first. If there was anyone to use this as an excuse, Ibekwe has enough story about poverty and lack to hide behind. But, No! He chose honesty and integrity rather than N50,000 from a corrupt Pastor. Ibekwe could have joined the rest in receiving this “fuel” money from the Pastor who is in distress using such argument that he cannot make a difference because others do it too. But he refused! Each of us, no matter what profession we are in, needs to remember that we can make a difference. If we want Nigeria to be a better country, each one of us has a very important role to play in ending the culture of corruption and impunity. Ibekwe has shown others in his profession that you can shun corruption no matter in what guise it presents itself. If you think you cannot survive on your salary (and most of the times, this is a fact), go and find another job. Stop using this as an excuse to engage in criminal and unethical activities. I have had many experiences of ethical dilemma in my professional life, but here is one of my personal experiences that is similar to the issue at hand: “helping to change the news out there.” Towards the end of 1995, the atmosphere in Nigeria was similar to what we are witnessing today. It was the worse of time. The country was reeling in pain and the atmosphere was full of “bloody mess,” as most Nigerians were quick to describe the situation of the June 12 annulment and the subsequent chaos and anarchy that followed. Many front leaders of the struggle for the June 12 mandate had died, jailed or in detention. Many ran into exile. The headquarters of the Campaign for Democracy was a “no-go zone” for many activists as the Abacha junta killer squad laid 24/7 siege in all the surrounding areas. The entire struggle was at its lowest ebb. Dr. Joe Okei as she was known at the time continued to hold the office in the absence of Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti and Sylvester Odion but was supported strongly by Femi Falana, Dr. Fasheun, Owei Lakemfa, Lanre Arogundade, Olisa Ogbakoba, Chima Ubani and others. However, the flame of the fight for democracy was dying down so rapidly that the general consensus was that Abacha had finally succeeded to quench the fire of the campaign for democracy and human rights. As the Chairman of the CD Ogun State branch, I was to play a very crucial role in keeping the CD in the news on a daily basis because of the significance of Ogun State being the home state of four prominent Nigerians, Chief M.K.O. Abiola, Rtd. General Olusegun Obasanjo, Dr. Beko Ransome Kuti and Professor Wole Soyinka all whom Sani Abacha, in bearing his teeth, detained, jailed for treason and forced into exile respectively. Despite the bombardment of Abeokuta by Abacha’s ruthless “kill-and-go” death squad, I kept the flame of the struggle burning beyond the junta’s wildest imagination. It was in the midst of continuous engagement in civil disobedience and peaceful protests against the Abacha regime by the Ogun State branch of the CD that one prominent businessman in Abeokuta, nicknamed TATA, the owner of Fatgbem chains of petrol filling stations in Ogun State and dominant tire distributor got into trouble. The allegation was that he had sworn by Allah that Chief M.K.O. Abiola will not regain his mandate. The “rumor” was making wave in Abeokuta in particular and Ogun State in general. His business rivals were allegedly spreading this rumor and instigating the “area boys” to destroy all of his properties in the state wherever they may be. However, another rumor that was also making wave was that I have vowed to destroy Tata and anyone opposing our struggle for democracy and human rights by all means necessary as I would not condone anyone who stands against Abiola’s June 12 mandate. Tata told me that everyone he knew suggested that he must see me and apologize for such “slip of the tongue” and pay the “ransom” money for his life and business. Even though I heard that this man had been looking for me, I did not have time to get into any controversy like that as I had no problem with him whatsoever. After several days of trying to track me down, he finally got my attention after packing his car at the front of my house for several days. Tata begged me to visit him in his house for “a private meeting.” He also begged passionately that I should not allow any other person with me so that the meeting would discreet and not be leaked to the public. After careful consideration, I agreed, but set up my own backup plan in case there is trap laid for me. On this day, I was driven to Tata’s house. As I entered, I saw a very distraught man and wife, crying profusely and begging me to “forgive him” if I heard that he swore against Abiola’s mandate. He said, this was the work of his enemies. After listening to him and his wife, I asked why he thinks I am that important to reach out to. He said he was heeding the advice of prominent Nigerians who told him that I am the only one to help him stop the impending harm to his life, properties and business. Before I could respond further, Tata stood up, entered his room and came back with a big bag full of money, placed it in front of me and prostrated while his wife knelt down. The amount in the back was N500,000.00. He said, this was his contribution to the struggle. “Whenever you need money for your programs, please, you should not hesitate to contact me,” he promised sincerely. I asked them to stand up and sit on their luxurious couch. I said, “Whoever advised you on this issue got it wrong. I am not against you or anyone who opposes our struggle. The Campaign for Democracy is not a faceless organization full of hooligans, assassins or terrorists. It is not in the constitution of our organization to use violence to achieve our goals. So, I or any members of my organization have no plan whatsoever to do anything to harm you or your business.” I looked at the big bag full of money and shook my head. “This is the wrong time to donate to the campaign and I will not receive a kobo from you. If you actually said what was alleged, then, it is unfortunate, but if you didnt, you need to make your position clear to the public so as to stop the false news from spreading further. I cannot guarantee your safety because I am not safe also. However, be rest assured that the CD has no hand in any plot to harm you or your business. Even though no one has any prior knowledge about this meeting from my own end; to help you, I will talk to the press about it and explained what you told me. However, I will leave the money part out of it. So, take back your money.” The light flashed across their eyes (husband and wife) as they looked at me and then at each other. He said, “Please help me correct the news out there because I learned that you are very close to all the journalists in the state. I will give them whatever they want.” I responded, “You don’t need to do that in the ways you have chosen. That is the wrong way. The right way to help you is that I can arrange a press conference whereby you would answer reporters’ questions concerning your position on the June 12 mandate. However, if you want to have your position clearly known to the public, you could place either a full page advertisement or whatever pages you think are enough and you can afford to state your position, so it would not be edited. You can also choose as many news mediums as you like” I helped Tata as I promised without taking any money from him. I refused to take a kobo from him and did not ask him for any money towards subsequent programs and activities of CD in Ogun State before I was forced into exile. Tata is dead now, but if his wife is still alive, she would remember this story. Journalists have power just as politicians in government and activists have power. It is up to each individual what you want to do with your power. Do you want to use it to enrich yourself or do you want to use it to benefit society? Do you want to steal, kill and destroy or do you want to use your power to help save lives, to restore hope and to build a society where love, unity, justice, freedom and better standard of living is open to all? Now, let me go back to the matter of “helping to correct the news out there.” It is a common statement by those that are in distress. Most journalists or reporters have heard this statement many times in the course of their duty. Government officials in all positions of authority, the army, the police, business nonprofit organizations, even terrorists and insurgency groups are always asking journalists to help launder their image or reputation. It is image laundering! Sometimes, it is for good and sometimes it is for bad. It is done everywhere. Many journalists have experienced such appeal at one time or another from someone, a group, organization even governments (in fact, this is common within the various governments in Nigeria) in distress and needed help to reshape a bad image, correct false information or put an event that has been recognized as social problem in proper perspective. It is a delicate business for reporters unless you are working for an entertainment newspaper, magazine or a PR company. Otherwise, there is a fine line that should not be crossed. When this line between reporting the news and helping to launder an image is blurred, there is a question of ethics or ethical dilemma. Why ask the journalists for help? Because Nigerians believe that anything told through the mass media carries credibility. This is not peculiar to Nigerians only. Most people around the world believe that news from the print and electronic media is more solid than rumor; more respectable than gossip, more believable than hearsay. Most of us who are “skeptics” or who often claims to be critical readers in fact absorb what we read in the newspapers and magazines as uncritically as anyone. Another reason is that many readers, audience and viewers are still unsophisticated. It is generally agreed that the authority of the Press stems partly from the fact that the media, and particularly the news media, deal with public issues that are beyond the experience of most of its readers. And here lies the danger. Most deliberate deviation from the strict truth consist of exaggerations or distortions to make a better story. However, it can even be more dangerous than that in the context of the environment in which the Nigerian Press operates. Nigerian Press exists in a wild environment, but like any other Press in the world, the Nigerian Press is watchful, often sincere, sometimes frank, powerful and partisan. On the other hand, there is a whole area of dangerous partisanship, gross irresponsibility and deception. In Nigeria, some news are criminally put together to cause confusion and arose public antipathy against particular government, political party, individuals or businesses. Some crooks in the field are exploiting this trend disgracefully. Most news in the Nigerian newspapers and magazines does harm than good because it violates the truth and lowers journalistic standards. In recent times as in the past, Nigerian journalists, a high percentage of them, are performing very poorly to an extent that they are carrying the Nigerian unsuspected readers on a roller-coaster ride to doom. Nowadays, the partisanship of the Nigerian Press has contributed immensely to the internal political conflicts destroying the hegemony and unity of members of most political parties in the country emanating from embarrassing news in the newspapers that “so and so said this and that” all in the name of image laundering. These bunch of irresponsible journalists don’t care what harm they are causing as long as they stuff money into their pockets. Some responsible journalists like Nicholas Ibekwe are doing their best through their medium to bring the Nigerian Press out of disrepute which, the irresponsible bunch desperately dumped it while playing the tune dictated by those who paid them or their employers. But with the mass junks still being peddled about by vendors and new selfish proprietors rushing into the publishing business – can there be sanity? The problem with credibility and ethics is that it would hamper the movement to full freedom of the Press. Whereas the Press is a vital organ that represents the freedom of speech of the society; without full freedom of the Press it is impossible to uphold the freedom of expression of the society. Therefore, freedom of the Press is indispensable to democracy. Whether it is accepted or not, the Nigerian Press of today possess tremendous power. It determines what people will talk and think about. Most reporters would disagree with that, arguing that government and the people set the agenda, whether it is the government transferring $9.3 million cash to another country to buy arms, using the Jet of the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria without caring for the secularity status of the country or whether a Pastor who is reputable for predicting everything under the sun had the misfortune of not seeing that building another three stories on a house plan approved for just three stories was a recipe for disaster. However, if you must be an observer that you often call yourselves, why not stay clear of image laundering? If you need “fuel” for your car, do not forget to inform your editor before leaving for the assignment. If you ever were to write news out of the nonsense said by T. B. Joshua and the unproductive assignment like the kind which Nicholas Ibekwe attended, let it be that the charismatic Pastor T.B. Joshua was so immoral, fake and disdainful of reporters integrity that he attempted to bribe them to shut their mouth on those that were killed by his gross criminal negligence, corruption and impunity. Unfortunately, those reporters that took the money reinforced the belief of Pastor Joshua that reporters can be bought with money to “change the news out there” so that the memory of the dead can be lost completely as if they were just disposable objects. However, to Joshuas dismay and chagrin, there is Nicholas Ibekwe, the man who loved the commandment of Jesus Christ to not serve two masters. By his refusal to receive such money Ibekwe spoke loudly to the stupid pastor that he was not answerable to him. Also, he let Joshua understand that he did not need money to “fuel” his car because that was not the purpose of the press briefing. “You can take your money and shove it into your dirty mouth.”