–By Bolaji O. Akinyemi
Rufai Oseni of ARISE NEWS TV , no doubt has some mien of sorts!
This often translates to anger, which is a bit difficult to manage like that of every other sincere Nigerian who is at the receiving end of APC shege!
I did advise a session on anger management for the Nigerian police when “trigger happy” was the phenomenon that journalism found to describe for frustrated, depressed armed officers who pull the trigger at the slightest provocation. They were desperately in need of mental health evaluation but our brand of journalism bails issues. Ajakaiye Adewole and Adewole Ajayi Ajakaiye bear me witness on the proposal to the police. Our anger madness however has gone beyond the police need of mental evaluation. Anyone having exposure to APC in any way should undertake a mental health evaluation session as a matter of urgency.
This I say in all sincerity with a sense of responsibility. Please, do, as soon as you can to mark yourself safe!
I said all I did to posit this; Rufai’s analysis is top notch, but he ceased to be a journalist in the context of Nigeria. He is more like representing the voice of the oppressed whenever he’s on set. Such was the case this morning!
I can relate with his style of journalism, even though I have no formal training in the profession. My activities in the space of communications lately has bestowed on me the tag of a “Journalist”. This I do appreciate, but passion for facts and commitment to see the truth spoken in context of patriotism to Nigeria and not idolising any politician has fanned my practice of what the public termed journalism on my part.
Professionalism has been highlighted by an observer who was pissed off by Rufai Oseni session this morning as follows:
” *don’t talk more than your guest
*let your question be brief, precise and clear.
- don’t form opinion, raise issues and let the guest come with his opinion and leave the watching public to judge
- treat your guest with courtesy and respect.”
Though Rufai erred by the assessment of the said observer. Truth is, APC style of administration is a threat to order. It is therefore in order to be disorderly when responding to APC until order resumes back to our public life!
Why? “In a state of lawlessness, it is illegal to be law abiding.” (Fidel Castro).
The guest in question, like a typical APC/BAT apologist tried to “change the fact that President Tinubu stopped the fuel subsidy by saying the PIB Bill had already stopped it and not President Tinubu.” That line of argument is usually why professionals; communicators, journalists and lawyers particularly, are Nigeria’s major problem. They tend to serve the purpose of propaganda against professionalism by attempting to change what is clear!
To imagine that such a liar will look at someone contesting with him on what the fact is and screamed; you are a liar at someone telling the truth is the depth of depravity to which our society has fallen.
Rufai’s engagement with the guest this morning already pulled his pants halfway down. Decorum to professional ethics would have seen him pulled his pants, without Rufai being seen as lending his hand to his show of shame. Rufai’s consistent polite no, to the guest twisting would have gotten the job done!
Buhari provided for subsidy till End of June, 2023 and it was President Tinubu who stopped it in his speech on May 29th, 2023! Simple!
*What do you think of Rufai Useni? Leave your comments in the comment section.
I am used to consuming information rather than make comments that will not impact on minds already made up by some of our contemporary public analyst regardless of the need to learn from one other. It is compelling to comment on this strongly opinionated writeup with the capacity to derail the positivism that journalism brings to the table of society. For avoidance of doubt, I am not a partisan Nigerian neither am I a visible figure in the political space. I must observe that the author’s reference to “anyone having exposure to APC in any way requiring a mental health evaluation session as a matter of urgency”, is an opinion too compromising of a journalist, even an editorial with prerogative of self opinion will act under advisory. No Nigerian, irrespective of his political party affiliation deserve such a cursory and uncomplimentary prescription of a mental health evaluation on account of being exposed to a political party.
In respect of Mr. Rufai Oseni, as long as his employers and the emerging generation sees his job evaluation in positive light which makes him the rave of the moment, it is alright for him to continue. But such evaluation components will not apply to his guests who have an option to decline being on his program which can lead to his unemployability. The particular guest in question unfortunately lost his cool, I would have demanded my respect or refuse to dignify him with my response. By extension decline any invitation from that tv station going forward. Mr. Useni’s conduct falls short of good ethics whether professional or moral! In all, Nigerians deserve better service both from the politicians and the opinion moulders like Mr. Rufai.
Thanks for making out time to comment on the article. Without a doubt, the writer only expressed an opinion, which I think is an entitlement. And you just expressed yours, which of course, you’re entitled to. And I totally agree with your last sentence. Blessed you.