Information officers displacing Journalists
On Monday, Mr Charles Aniagwu, the state Information Commissioner addressed reporters on some lingering issues in the state a la dress code, verification of civil servants and the gains from the governor Brazil tour.
He was silent why the governor and deputy governor missed the celebration of the state creation anniversary.
But that is not the focus of this piece. It is the attitude of Information staff at the press briefing held in the conference hall of the Ministry of Information.
Half of the seats were occupied by Information staff and journalists were stranded.
A press briefing meant for practising journalists became a briefing for Information staff.
This is not tidy. Many of the Information staff sat idle throughout the briefing.
Very few were taking notes.
Even one cheeky information staff said the briefing was for them and the conference hall was their house, adding that nobody should dictate to them.
The issue must be looked at by the permanent secretary and work those that should attend the briefing and cover for their bulletin.
The proper thing should be done.
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Dress code Wahala
The legendary Afro beat mega star Fela Anikulakpo Kuti in one of his songs said ‘yanga dey sleep, trouble go waka am , wetin you get na Wahala’.
That exactly is the state of affairs since the head of service office released the revised controversial dress code.
It is about to open floodgate of frosty industrial relationships between labour and government.
Various interpretations have been given to the dress code ranging from colonial mentality, corporate dress code to bizarre fashion.
The Pond News is still dizzy what eyelashes, beards and papa caps and resource control have to do with dress code.
Both parties are already in their trenches.
Government spokesman rained fire and brimstone the other day, affirming that the dress code has come to stay.
Labour on its part insisted that some aspects of the dress code must be modified, adding that government must start paying wardrobe allowances.
This ding dong affairs continued.
The dress code had already consumed the permanent secretary who issued the dress code circular in the office of the Head of Service.
The Pond News sues for dialogue and compromise in the era of supersonic inflation that makes nonsense of salaries.
Times are hard and government must bear this in mind.
There are many problems that Oborevwori should confront.
Dress code is the least of them.
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Crack down on Free Speech
Within the week , the state government bared its fangs on freedom of expression by arresting Oliver Fejiro, a known critic of the government.
Before then Victor Ojei aka Wong Box, a former aide to Governor Sheriff Oborevwori who resigned on principles was picked and today cooling his heels in detention.
Comrade Elvis Ekrakpoariemu human rights activist , Founder of Foundation for Justice of the Underprivileged is also suffering the same fate .
The crimes of these three young men is that they spoke out.
These are type of people that fire the growth and development of society.
Democracy enduring legacy is the freedom of expression within the armpit of constitutionalism.
Those in government should be the tolerant of opposing views.
This descent into dictatorship in the state is at variance with time valued of democracy.
Agreed that no government can satisfy the cravings of all the people but should be able to harbour criticism for the growth and development of society.
If these three men committed defamation, sedition or treason, they should be taken to courts to decide that.
Using strong arm tactics to suppress opposing views belong to the dark duegeon of dictatorship.
Let liberty flourish.
