Okorocha and the unusable Independent Publishers
The gathering was actually for the Independent Newspaper Publishers Association (INPA) in Imo state, because the year came to an end and it was time for celebration, but it turned out to be a meeting for the association's reassessment. Yes, all the pen pushers and news-makers were in one roof, and they went into a long discussion and talks for a way forward of the State and the people.
To fashion it into an end of the year party like, enough of disco, merry and awards presentation to some noteworthy news-makers were giving out. And as it maybe, the governor of the State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha was to be present as the Chief Host, Chairman of the Occasion and also as an awardee, but however, he was absent for a reason I will be giving in detail soon.
Due to his inability to be present, the member representing Mbaitolu/Ikeduru at the National Assembly and President of the African Parliament, Rt. Hon. Bethel Nnaemeka Amadi took to the job of the Chief Host, which he did justice to. In his remark, he made key addresses and told a story of his activity far long as an African Parliamentarian. I so much fancy his story, because in detail he told the story of what the Independent Publishers had gone through in the hands of the Imo number one citizen.
To Amadi, it was just a story and was never targeted at anybody, rather it can be addressed as a complementing speech to back his statement. On good notes, I would tell his story here, no matter (some) would want to do away with the messenger, but then don't do away with the message as we will be looking at this piece from that very angle.
In his story: "In one of our journeys as parliamentarians, we were made to visit Angola as a country in Africa, on our way and after a long drive our car got spoilt and we had to find a way of fixing it. Then we saw a mechanic workshop, which the young man in-charge accepted to fix it.
"Along the line, he needed to get some parts to fix it, so he took us to another of his colleague who rescued us with some parts. But then, when he first came with one, they changed their language to Igbo instead of the former (English). As they were talking, we calmed down and heard them all, then after I had to call them with the same dialect and they were all surprised as they never expected that I will come a long way from the Igbo tribe in Nigeria to Angola. Furthermore, we spoke in one language and they served us well," he concluded.
Basically for Amadi, it was to state that the Igbos are all over the places, meaning as a traveler, if you happen to be at a certain place without seeing an Igbo, you should return back home. Indeed, Igbos travel a lot. Then, that was not the outcome of his story here, rather it was Okorocha's move to partner with the Press, especially the Imo home-based.
And this very move came when he told them at the inception of his administration that he doesn't give a damn of what they write or report. But when he saw the impossible side of it, he took another step of partnering with them. Partnering as it may sound, but on the other side of the coin, it was beyond a partnership. Of course, it was one intention he had to control the media, but could not control the mind.
If you are yet to understand the Okorocha's kind of person, then you must be a learner. To those who have studied his person, when they receive applause from him, they go home to ask themselves where they've gone wrong or even what he (Okorocha) is after. I wish not to call my governor a devil by telling you that when he gives you with the right hand, he takes it back with the left hand. Practically no, but that's the honest and raw truth.
For the Independent Newspaper Publishers Association in Imo, I admire and respect their strong desire to stand individually as a people without support and patronage from Okorocha's government till this last period of time. Even when the governor said he does not give a damn of them, because they were not ready to sell his activity of deceits, they still went a long way into building a more unifying force. If you must know, they needed partnership of the government and people to thrive. The government failed them, but the people didn't.
Then, when the government was ready to partner with them, what did they do? Okorocha's government called them for a breakfast meeting where he told them to plan his birthday party for him, as a way of an emergency relationship. What happened after then? Nothing more but a plot. He used some members of this very association to cause division. He plotted to divide the house with his usual promises.
However, he succeeded in luring some members of this association. He used them to harm their unity and oneness. The house got divided, but never destroyed. How? Through the wisdom applied by those of them at the helm of the association's affairs. It was made possible, because those of them at the helm of the affair have seen government come and go. They've gone a long way, and they've seen it all. So, influencing them was a hard task as nothing surprises them again.
Like the Amadi's story, when Okorocha came with his dialect (gimmick), he never knew that some of them are all aware and informed of it all. They've gone a long way with governments, and they are not new to the system. Meaning, where such gimmick will work should be at the streets where the lay man takes all form of display for granted till election period.
To those of them who divided the house for Okorocha's unfulfilled promises today, I believe they've learnt their lessons, but then it's a total disappointment. They got distracted with something which we all assume they've seen all for a long time. A mere gimmick which they must have graduated out from. With such attitude that is why the media industry here is getting filled up with sabotage and self-serving intentions. They've left the news, now going for incomes.
Yes, they need income to survive. They need fund to be in business, but it was based on this emphasis that made it possible for Okorocha to divide the house. And I wish to tell you that it is on this heel that I stand, based on the INPA Chairman's (High Chief Bright Chimezie Njoku) address at the event.
He highlighted: "It is obvious that Imo State has the most vibrant press in the Southeast. Apart from the Lagos and Abuja axis, there is no other zone or state in Nigeria where there is a superior newspaper industry than Imo. This has come at the expense and struggle of the publishers, who have to do the magical in order to see that our readers were served oven fresh news daily. It is a known fact that copy-sales do not sustain newspapers but adverts and supplements do.
"But here in Imo state we have had to go on without adverts and patronage from our home government. Even when these adverts come, the shock was that they were offloaded at the doorstep of one news-house to the detriment of other stables in the state. We are made to feel that some news-houses are for government while others are against it.
"I want to state here that no newspaper in Imo State is against the government of the day. Therefore, the anointing of a particular medium as the choice son of government is not only wrong, but in long run will not be of immense benefit to government".
To back this piece, I believe the above quote should better present my stance as one standing on the solid rock. This piece is an informed one, but then let's work with inspiration now. That a particular newspaper outfit is getting all the adverts to be in business, it calls for a resounding question. Why? What is the government's interest?
Without unveiling the content of the address, one needs not to be told that since my brother, Sam Onwuemedo assumed office as the Special Assistant to my governor on Media, his self-owned newspaper has continued to grow in adverts. They now pray for events that would call for advert placements so they can loot the State's fund from this very channel. How? Are they the most favoured newspaper outfit in the State? Not in any way! But because those of them in government, and from the source Onwuemedo got his appointment now have stake in this very outfit.
I wish not to deceive, but to inform. I wish not to fight against, but to set things the way it should be. Let's get it right! This very call for repositioning cannot be credited for deceit, or even for restiveness. But then, let's face the real fact. In Imo today, the government of the day has turned everything into the state of nothing goes for nothing. That you are getting jobs from the government, and also getting your pay for it means you are related to the governor, or that he has an interest of where to get that very fund back into his private pulse.
There is need for the government's partnership with the media. Over what High Chief Njoku called as the fraternizing of the media with the government, is however where I stand. How? Such relationship will keep reminding the government on their promises to the people and the need for equitable service delivery. And as the mirror of the society, the media must draw the attention of government to instances of failure or shoddiness in governance.
Precisely, it doesn't mean being against a particular government or individual. Rather, it will bring reawakening in the system. It may surprise you that Okorocha is yet to fulfill ten percent of his promises to Imo people, it may also interest you that we are entering into another election year. Enough of being busy doing nothing style of governance!
Ugochukwu writes from Owerri. Email: [email protected]