The Convener, New Nigeria Group, Sam Ohuabunwa, has called on the mass media to go beyond their tradional role and engage in activism in order to effectively fight the ills in society.
Ohuabunwa, who is also the President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria, made the call in a keynote lecture he delivered at the fifth anniversary of Flo 94.9 FM Umuahia on Friday.
He spoke on “The imperative of media activism in rescuing Nigeria from the throes of poor and regressive governance.”
He said that contemporary developments in the country, characterised by endemic corruption and bad governance, had made most Nigerians to lose hope in the government at all levels.
He said: “In the above circumstance, the media cannot just assume its normal role.
“First is that the citizens have lost hope in the government. Yet they have no voice to cry.
“They are looking for the media to project their problems to those who can help them.
“Many are looking for justice and their only hope are the media.
“Even those who need medical charity depend on the media to help them raise funds.
“What is worse, the populace feel that the political class has failed them.
“They do not trust the police or security officers.”
Ohuabunwa, who is a presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, further expressed regret that there was no effective check on the excesses of the executive arm of government.
“Many governors in some states act like Emperors and Governor-Generals.
“They have not only pocketed the executive and, in some cases the judiciary as well, they have completely pocketed every other voice (elders, unions, youth and all) who are expected to be the check on the conduct of the government.
“In many communities, the people no longer trust their traditional and religious leaders.
“They accuse them of dinning and wining with their oppressors.
“That is why, some of the youth now take their fate in their hands, foisting their anger on their fellow citizens.
“They are in search of help! And for me, the only help possible is from the media.
“Because the media do not need the permission of any body to invade their space, they are the ones that can give voice to the pains and cries of the poor and suffering people of Nigeria,” he said.
Ohuabunwa expressed optimism that activist media would play a critical role in the current struggle for a new Abia and Nigeria, “where prosperity, justice and security will be abundant”.
According to him, for now, the media seem to be the only hope for the common man, especially radio and social media.
He commended Flo for rising to the challenge “with its different political, social and human rights programmes that give voice to the oppressed citizens”.
The Abia Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, represented by his deputy, Dr Ude Chukwu, thanked Flo for projecting the administration’s prgrammes and policies to the citizens and complementing government’s efforts in providing employment.
Ikpeazu further said that the station had added value to people’s lives through its rich programmes and encouraged its board, management and staff members to sustain the tempo.
He commemded the station for its vision and innovation and described it as “one of the best platforms in the airwaves”.
The Chairman of the ceremony, Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, commended the station for providing quality news and current affairs programmes that kept its audience informed, educated and entertained.
The Chairman and Founder of the station, Chief Ray Nkemdirim, expressed delight that Flo had successfully met the public’s need for accurate information, enlightenment and entertainment.
Nkemdirim also said that the station had helped to provide employment for young professionals and had discharged its responsibilities remaining apolitical.
He promised that the future holds greater and more robust packages for the listening public with the station’s team of dedicated and professional members of staff.
He thanked the station’s listeners, partners, consultants, analysts and state actors, “who through their contributions keep Flo afloat”.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that highlights of the event included the unveiling of a book on “Nigerian Security Challenges”, authored by Nkemdirim, who retired from the State Security Service as a Deputy Director.
The book reviewer, Prof. Aja Akpuru Aja of the Abia State University, Uturu, said the 13-paragraph book underscores the need for Nigeria to place high premium on security intelligence information in tackling the nation’s enormous security challenges.
Awards of recognition were presented to some notable Abia people, public affairs analysts on Flo and a traffic warden from the Traffic and Indiscipline Management Agency of Abia, Mrs Felicia Anyamele.
Other awardees included the governor, deputy governor, Governorship Aspirant and Chancellor, Gregory University, Uturu, Prof. Greg Ibe, and late Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu, who received a posthumous award, amongst many other recepients. (NAN)