Wow. The danger with rejoinders is that, rather than listen to your voice, people will always go find out what originally happened. I had last week or so raised issues with how soon former Thisday Editor, Segun Adeniyi had 'turned coat' when he reached government, and till now it rankles me, I have to confess.
Then yesterday, he made the mistake of actually reacting to that very issue, and for those who know the issues involved and have access to facts to which he made mention, his piece only rang hollow. I therefore decided to go read the original piece that prompted his passionate denial.
And wow! It was explosive! Wow! Wow! Wow!
Read Dele Sobowale's original piece HERE,
and the sad rejoinder HERE
This much I will say, any journalist who whilst his perspectives were untainted spoke a certain way and then turns around when he's in government to scream 'Oh I have now seen the light' is a disgrace, and I use that word with all responsibility. What it means, and the fact they keep missing, is that for the past years that they were journalists: they were misinformed, ignorant, and misguided. Ultimately discredited.
Thankfully, there are one or two such journalists-now-in-government who have been able to maintain their integrity and good sense.
The fact is: if you want to 'turn coat', we understand the job of journalism doesn't pay yes and you need to 'move up in life', so turn coat and keep quiet about it. No one is a fool. It makes me so ashamed sometimes to be part of the media.
The weeks ahead will be explosive, and you NEED to buy Vanguard next week, because Dele Sobowale is going to face the President's spokesman FRONTALLY. I love it!
P.S: Based on the first comment I just received now, it makes sense to state that the word 'turn coat' is used loosely, in the reasonable assumption that folks would actually read the two pieces (or at least one!) and then understand the context in which it is being used. It would make any comments on this post informed at the very least.
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10 comments:
My dear Chude, Every one claims not to be a thief but you never really know unless u are put in a very favorable position to steal and you dont. Only then can u really beat ur broad chest and say 'YES, I DONT STEAL.' I think a lot of noise is coming from people who are not so qualified to speak as far as i am concerned. Is there someone who has been put in that position and did not 'turn coat'. That person should speak up.Really you never REALLY (emphasize pls)know what u can do or not.I am definately not on Segun's side but then neither am i on ur side or Deles either. If Segun was not the one on the hotseat, he would have written a piece like Dele's. Maybe even better. I beg make i hear word jare. All these quotes are just too much grammer. Maybe even propaganda. Next please...
My dear Ez'aha (what's with the 'my dear' by the way?)
Evidently you did not read Dele's piece - if you had taken time to engage the contrary opinion rather than just go ahead and sprout yours you would realise that he makes the same points that you have. The point that even the best ofr us have 'turned coat' - and the general question he asked is: isn't it time that we do something about the profile/renumeration etc of the journalist so he wouldnt have to keep 'turning coat' so shamefully.
did anybody make mention of stealing here, by the way?
The Sobowale guy does sound a tad little too arrogant but he is making sense
my man, do you have any issues with segun adeniyi?
This is Segun asking Nigerians to give him the same benefit of doubt that he wasnt ready to give previous government agents!!
I'm sorry but I think it's too early to conclude that Segun has turned coat. Are we then saying we must always stand outside and criticize? Never engage? I respect Segun for the attempt he's made. Time will tell whether he's a turncoat or not
@ Seun,
I tell you: Dele Sobowale's arrogance gets to me too! But the thing is, he is so methodical and well researched that its a;ways impossible to fault him!
@anon1,
Me? Segun Adeniyi? Hia! Does every contrary opinion have to be borne out of personal 'biff'?? Well your answer is no. Actually, I respect him.
@anon2
Exactly the point!
@uknaija,
Then you didnt read the piece! The disappointment is not that Segun joined government. That's not why he's turncoat - that would be a rather simple-minded argument. The disappointment comes from the article he wrote in the middle of the Labour Strike - where he accused journalists and labour leaders of being unpatriotic... it was a complete sommersault in principles. Complete sommersault. If you read that article, and Derle's piece - you'll understand the angst. thanks for dropping in.
This is a comment left by someone on dawodu.com. It addresses the issues even more eloquently..
I guess there is an invisible line that you cross when you are appointed into governm
ent that renders you incapable of seeing what those of us who are left behind can ver
y clearly discern. I guess one of the attributes of a good press secretary is the abi
lity to supress his own beliefs, deny what his eyes are seeing and always always try
to present his boss and his policies or lack of it in the best possible light. It is
quite interesting to note that while we see a man whose emergence and selection as \"
president\" assaulted our collective sense of what is right and wrong, Segun all of a
sudden can now only see a man whom he draws \"strength from\". While all of us saw a
man that was dragged out of his way and official duties by the Ota farmar to a hotel
in Abuja to perpetrate further illegalities and who cannot compile his own ministeri
al list without prior approval from the same farmer, Segun can only see a man who say
s that what counts are long term objectives. Yes longterm and lasting objectives coun
t, but one can only pursue those objectives and see to their fruitful completion in
the way they were actually conceptualised when he is in absolute control of both his
destiny and the machinery for the achievement of those objectives. We would be quite
glad to sing the songs of solomon with Segun when that time comes but he should also
be aware that the corridors of power are littered with the wrecks of decent men who c
hose not to play their game according to their bizzare and deceitful rules. Segun sho
uld not be in a hurry to daydream about his lucre yet for indeed, these are early day
s. Furthermore it baffles me even more that Segun has chosen not to see that those be
gging to buy him houses in Abuja and pay his children\'s school fees are professional
rent seekers. How many Nigerians can afford to buy a house for themselves in Abuja t
alkless of buying one for someone else. Those same men can take him to the nearest po
litical cemetary and point out to him the bones of decent men that have been destroye
d by their lures. But something within me tells me that Segun will survive within the
system whatever it takes. It is only the highest stakes gamblers that will understan
d what it takes for a man to sell and mortgage his entire existense uptill date just
for an opportunity to serve in the nigerian government. ZAVADAK.
This is a comment left by someone on dawodu.com. It addresses the issues even more eloquently..
I guess there is an invisible line that you cross when you are appointed into governm
ent that renders you incapable of seeing what those of us who are left behind can ver
y clearly discern. I guess one of the attributes of a good press secretary is the abi
lity to supress his own beliefs, deny what his eyes are seeing and always always try
to present his boss and his policies or lack of it in the best possible light. It is
quite interesting to note that while we see a man whose emergence and selection as \"
president\" assaulted our collective sense of what is right and wrong, Segun all of a
sudden can now only see a man whom he draws \"strength from\". While all of us saw a
man that was dragged out of his way and official duties by the Ota farmar to a hotel
in Abuja to perpetrate further illegalities and who cannot compile his own ministeri
al list without prior approval from the same farmer, Segun can only see a man who say
s that what counts are long term objectives. Yes longterm and lasting objectives coun
t, but one can only pursue those objectives and see to their fruitful completion in
the way they were actually conceptualised when he is in absolute control of both his
destiny and the machinery for the achievement of those objectives. We would be quite
glad to sing the songs of solomon with Segun when that time comes but he should also
be aware that the corridors of power are littered with the wrecks of decent men who c
hose not to play their game according to their bizzare and deceitful rules. Segun sho
uld not be in a hurry to daydream about his lucre yet for indeed, these are early day
s. Furthermore it baffles me even more that Segun has chosen not to see that those be
gging to buy him houses in Abuja and pay his children\'s school fees are professional
rent seekers. How many Nigerians can afford to buy a house for themselves in Abuja t
alkless of buying one for someone else. Those same men can take him to the nearest po
litical cemetary and point out to him the bones of decent men that have been destroye
d by their lures. But something within me tells me that Segun will survive within the
system whatever it takes. It is only the highest stakes gamblers that will understan
d what it takes for a man to sell and mortgage his entire existense uptill date just
for an opportunity to serve in the nigerian government. ZAVADAK.
Please, what makes Dele Shobowole arrogant-i beg to differ- he is one of the few journalists whose articles one can read and say yes,his article made my day,ditto sonola olumese-they are good at what they do,dont hate...the pity is that nigeria does not appreciate the likes of them else they shld have been fraggin celebrities-these are the old school journalists ,who where really trained in the art,like old wine...do not jump to conclusions till you read the article and for those saying that you cant say if you'll steal until you get the opportunity-that is so simple minded and is so not an excuse-
Deola Akinosho
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