Vox Pop
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THE purchase of bulletproof vehicles by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority has provoked a nationwide uproar in the country, with many Nigerians blaming the media for its role in the crisis. Some believe that the media over dramatised the incident. Below are the reactions of some Nigerians.
Daniel Ugwuede, Social Commentator: It is quite unfortunate the role the media is playing in heating up the polity in Nigeria. The media declared Stella Oduah guilty even before the actual trial by the House of Representatives. Media practitioners in this country should endeavour to give the accused a fair hearing and make good decisions on news reports.
Basil Okagu, Public Servant: It is unfair the way and manner some sections of the media reported stories in this country. Their reports are always targeting some set of people. In the issue of the aviation minister, why did the press report that the vehicles were purchased for her rather than the ministry? The so-called Saharareporters, didn’t investigate whether the purchase followed due process before breaking the news? There are a lot of interests in this case which they are not telling Nigerians.
Daniel Adibe, Banker: My dear, the problem of this country is the media. They contribute 80 percent of what the country is facing today through the kind of reports they publish every day. Because the minister’s reform policy is seen as a threat to some cabals in the ministry, they capitalised on the purchase of the armoured vehicles to try to remove her from office and the media made her trial inevitable.
Robinson Ifeanyichukwu, Banker: It is unfortunate that the press which is supposed to inform the public on the day-to-day activities of the government is the ones misleading the people. The role the media played in the Oduahgate or whatever you call it shows that they are no longer objective in their reports. They told us that the vehicles were purchased without following due process, whereas it did. To be honest with you, media practitioners have abandoned the ethics of their profession in pursuance of political, religious, ethnic and selfish interests.
Christopher Okoro, Politician: There is wisdom in hearing from both sides before drawing conclusions. That was why it is good to give the accused fair hearing before trial. Most of the criticisms and media trials were done out of hatred and frustration. The whole thing has political colouration.
Simon Okechukwu, Politician: There is no doubt that Stella Oduah is being haunted in the media by enemies of the progress she is making in the ministry. The cabals in the ministry are after her life because of her efforts in making the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu, an international airport.
Compiled by Anayo Ezugwu
— Nov. 18, 2013 @ 01:00 GMT
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