Opinion

By Polycarp Onwubiko

TODAY, 28th of August 2023 marks the 32nd Anniversary celebration of the creation of the (New) Anambra state from the Old Anambra state that comprised of Enugu State, Ebonyi State, and the new Anambra state. The epochal event was happened on the 28th August, 1991 courtesy of Military Government headed by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida.

As a yearly ‘ritual’, the state electronic media, Anambra Broadcasting Service, (ABS) and the defunct state government owned newspaper, National Light would reinvent the happy event to inform the generation of Anambra state people who were not born or were toddlers at the epochal event and in the role of the media as the pathfinder or setter of Agenda for policies, Programmes and projects to ensure good governance, to make well-informed suggestions and credible and pragmatic roadmaps for the state government to raise the living standard of the people and perfect strategic planning for infrastructure improvements.

Sadly, this morning, I, as a part of the Editorial Team since 2019 that used to embark on detailed and sufficiently packaged, researched and special cum bumper Edition of the state government owned newspaper, National Light, was disappointed by the few paragraphs the ABS read out as news on the 32nd anniversary celebration of Anambra state. Of course, you can not equate news coverage of electronic media with print media.

The former (Radio station, ABS)  because of small time allotted to news items, will broadcast very few paragraphs and move on to other news items. But the later (print media, National Light) will come out with well researched, detailed reports, press interviews, people’s opinion polls, reflections and suggestions on how the state should be well horned to meet the deep yearnings and aspirations of Ndi Anambra. 

Sadly, this year’s celebration of the creation of Anambra state, the expectant Ndi Anambra are very much disappointed by the unprincipled and thoughtlessness in the closure of their very much cherished 30 years-old newspaper, National Light. As usual, the were expecting a bumper cum special Edition of National Light newspaper with well researched, detailed reports, Powerful Editorial, Feature articles , spotlights, public opinion polls (POP) for pragmatic roadmaps and critical pathfinder for meaningful socioeconomic growth and development of the “Number One State” in Nigeria. 

National Light newspaper could boast of intellectually sound and devoted Editorial meeting team who churn out incisive Editorials and front-page comments on topical and critical issues of governance, in addition to hard-nosed reporters who measure up to what is referred to as “news hounds” who get news that cover the development trajectories of Anambra state from its creation in 1991. 

All through the years of the special and bumper Editions of National Light newspaper, they were veritable sources of information for research students in the institutions of higher learning in their Term papers, Master’s Degree, and Doctorate Degree Programmes. Sadly, all these great treasures have been dumped into the scrap heap of history by the ill-advised closure of National Light newspaper because of the preposterous and ludicrous reason that it is not a proverbial “cash cow” to contribute to the “Table to build Dubai” in Anambra state!

Counting the cost of the unthinkable action of closure of National Light will make people who don’t know what Anambra state has lost to weep out blood from their eyes. Do you talk about students of Mass communication from the higher education institutions in the state who go to the National Light newspaper for three months, six months, and one year Industrial Attachment which is aimed at inculcation of the practical working knowledge of newspaper production. 

Definitely, the re-establishment of the Anambra state government owned newspaper will be Governorship election campaign issue come year 2024. 

***By Polycarp Onwubiko, JP, Author and public policy analyst and defunct National Light columnist.

A.

-Aug. 28 2023 @ 03:20 GMT |

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