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Rebuttal: Adhere to professionalism, stop baseless scoops, AUDA-NEPAD Media Aide urges online publisher

Published

6 years ago

February 10, 2020

Rebuttal: Adhere to professionalism, stop baseless scoops, AUDA-NEPAD Media Aide urges online publisher

Abolade Ogundimu, Media Assistant to the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, African Union Development Agency- New Partnership for Africa’s Development/African Peer Review Mechanism, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, calls on publishers of Premium Times online, to strictly adhere to ethics of the profession and not acting in a manner that may tarnish the image of the noble profession.

The Aide with over two decades experience in journalism, made the call in reaction to what he described as a poorly investigated report published online by Premium Times on Sunday, February 9, 2020 with the headline ‘ Contractors groan as agency fails to pay, three yrs after work completion’ .

According to him, a report written by a reporter with the byline Abdulaziz Abdulaziz is more of Character assassination than news writing in every sense of it, given the manner it projects a public figure without recourse to its consequence.

“The founding fathers of this nation built solid platform for journalism to thrive, given the way late Herbert Macaulay, Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo used media to enlighten the public not baseless reportage.

“For the record, Abdulaziz is more interested in adjudicating than balancing his story, being so emotional after getting a side of the story can never become hallmark of a good reporter.

“Quest for scoops should not be pursued without reasoning by any journalist or medium that truly seeks subscription of responsible segment of the public.

“In all my contacts with Abdulaziz, he was more interested in meeting my boss than establishing veracity of contractors’ allegations of job delivery and completion.

“He claimed to have an insider obviously, he never put in efforts to ask if most of the contracts said to have been completed truly exist or commensurate with the cost.

“The age long norm in journalism is for a reporter to present available facts with details to the respondent in order to get reaction but this reporter in question was reluctant to give details,rather he was calling repeatedly without regards for other things the receiver might be doing.

“Even if it is a soft sell publication, the fact that it is for any internet user calls for more refrain than crass description of a personality you have no personal experience of her conducts.
“When he finally sent a text to my boss, Princess Gloria Akobundu,in the middle of critical Management meeting, she directed me to hear him out immediately and I did.

“Initially, the so call reporter made allegation of refusal to pay contractors and I asked for evidence,he promised to provide them when we meet but when we eventually met, he only flashed a paper he claimed to be a committee’s report on unpaid projects.

“I told him to avail me a copy with names of contractors involved for adequate response, he declined but insisted he wanted to meet my boss,I then told him such action suggests blackmail and he said he wasn’t doing such.

“He called later and I gave him my email address where he sent a message without details of the contractors involved, again, I told him we could only react to specific issues,”the media Aide said.
Even as he said the agency would still react at the appropriate time, Ogundimu demanded apology from Premium Times for publishing the story he described as a form of distraction by mischief makers, using a desperate reporter to mislead the public.
“The report is just a distraction as my Boss is on official assignment for Nigeria outside the country, the first time details of the allegation was made available to us was in the defamatory online publication on Sunday.

“I will advise the journalist to apologise and retract the story immediately to save himself and his medium from wrath of the law.
“But the report has further justified need for stringent measures against media incompetence as neither the publisher nor the reporter displayed regards for verification of such petition according to the report.

“The medium, (Premium Times) and t items journalist, Abdulaziz have given more credence to the fact that journalism deserves better practitioners than hasty individuals and corporate bodies with no regard for etiquette,” he said.

Abolade said achievements of the AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria under Akobundu, as widely reported by the media were already getting public attention,but he reacted to the Premium Times report which he described as ‘mischievous’ for reference purpose.

It will be recalled that AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria has recorded some milestones since Akobundu assumed office including Presidential approval of its transformation from NEPAD; inauguration of National Governing Council of APRM Nigeria.
Other achievements are sensitisation of various stakeholders on Violence free elections; Collaboration with anti corruption agencies against corruption, including special side event at UN General Assemblies on the need for Global Collaboration against Illicit Financial Flows from Africa; collaborating with state and local governments on economic growth and good governance, among others.
“It is also on record that the Agency is currently in the process of conducting Second Peer Review of the country, to get grassroots view on how to further achieve Corporate Governance, Socio-economic growth.

The current management of AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria welcomes constructive exchange of developmental ideas that can help the nation and humanity at large,not ready for cheap blackmails and baseless allegations.

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Nigeria’s Historic Bid for the 2030 Commonwealth Games: A Call for National and Global Support

Published

1 week ago

September 30, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

Nigeria is poised to make history as it seeks to host the Centenary Commonwealth Games in 2030, a monumental opportunity that promises to transform the nation’s economy, infrastructure, and global standing.

More than a sporting spectacle, the Games would serve as a catalyst for development across multiple sectors, leaving behind a legacy of national pride and sustainable growth.

The benefits of hosting the Games extend far beyond the sports arena. Nigeria stands to gain both empirical and non-empirical advantages, with direct, indirect, and induced impacts that will touch every corner of society. Infrastructural development will take center stage, with new facilities such as indoor sports halls, conference centers, and improved road networks reshaping urban landscapes while strengthening the nation’s capacity to host future international events.

Economic growth is another significant dividend. Over 10,000 jobs are expected to be created, spanning construction, facility management, event planning, and tourism services.

The hospitality industry will undergo major improvements as hotels and resorts are upgraded to meet international standards, while local restaurants, lounges, and tourist attractions will see a surge in patronage from international visitors. Small and medium enterprises, particularly in the transport, finance, and food service sectors, will become some of the greatest beneficiaries, as the Games generate new demand and expand opportunities for local businesses.
The Commonwealth Games will also accelerate the growth of Nigeria’s sports industry.

Investments in training facilities, coaching, and talent development will inspire a new generation of athletes, ensuring long-term benefits that extend beyond 2030, a major focus of the President Bola Tinubu administration.
At the same time, the process of preparing for the Games will create opportunities for Nigerians to learn new crafts, acquire technical skills, and engage in global-standard event management, thereby strengthening human capacity and innovation across industries.

Mallam Shehu Dikko, Chairman of the Nigeria Sports Commission, and Hon. Bukola Olopade, the Director General, have been widely recognized for their tireless and visionary leadership in repositioning Nigeria’s sporting sector.

Their commitment to facilitating infrastructural development and strengthening grassroots sports development has laid the foundation for Nigeria’s bold bid to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games. Under their leadership, the NSC is fostering strategic partnerships and driving innovation in sports administration, they have demonstrated the nation’s readiness to stage an event of such global magnitude.

Beyond the tangible gains, the hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games carries profound symbolic value. It would be a moment of unity and pride, a chance for Nigeria to showcase its cultural richness, resilience, and excellence to the world.
As a centenary edition, the Games would stand as a historic milestone not just for the Commonwealth but for Nigeria itself, cementing its place on the global stage as a capable, ambitious, and forward-looking nation.

The gains from hosting the Commonwealth Games can never be undermined or overemphasized. This is Nigeria’s time to step forward and show the world our resilience, and excellence. We call on every Nigerian, across sectors and communities, to support this noble aspiration.

Nigeria’s pursuit of the 2030 Commonwealth Games is a vision for transformation, a blueprint for national development, and a legacy project that will inspire generations to come.

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