By NAN
Vice-President, Kashim Shettima, has tasked media professionals in the country to always speak truth to power and serve as the conscience of the political institutions who influence the evolution of society.
Shettima gave the charge during his remarks at the Public Presentation of the book, ‘Persona Non Grata’ by Ismail Omipidan on Saturday in Abuja.
He expressed gratitude to have witnessed the author’s transitions across the realm of journalism, adding that he first came across the him about 21 years ago.
“We cannot build an ideal state if the intellectual class, especially the journalists, are not allowed to be our conscience.
“While we need an army of courageous media professionals to speak the truth to power, we also need them to serve as the conscience of the political institutions and individuals who influence the evolution of society.
“This should include the questions of our collective survival. What must be spelled out is that, there is a distinction between antagonising a government and speaking truth to power.
“While the latter is driven by a noble principle to serve a greater good and a deserving humanity, the former is usually a self-serving exercise that fades into futility.
“And that is not the end, we should aspire to achieve with the information and ideas we labour to acquire and process in our line of work.
“The real courage lies in resisting compromise in one’s pursuit of truth. True courage is being able to tell the truth even in a congress of critics and bullies,’ Shettima said.
The Vice-President noted that, the rush to partake in a smear campaign, even in the face of superior facts, is not an act of courage, adding that, this distinction sets apart courage from cowardice.
According to him, It takes rare integrity to recognise the difference between courage and cowardice.
“Each of us must aspire to learn where and when to draw the line between courage and cowardice.
“Mr Omipidan has shown that in reporting the ups and downs of his nation; true allegiance is not to oneself, but to one’s society. This awakening has defined his kind.
“The book, ‘Persona Non Grata’, is not a record of the journey to being cancelled for telling uncomfortable truths; it is, rather, a declaration of the price of adhering to noble principles even in the face of corrupting temptation.
“This book is a cautionary tale for both practising and aspiring journalists, and for any professional who seeks to find a balance between their allegiance to self and to truth,” Shettima said.
He also commended the book reviewer, Dr Lasisi Olagunju, adding that there need to tap into the intellect of the young ones.
In his good will message, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris commended Omipidan for the excellent delivery in the book.
Idris, represented by the Director-General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Mohammed Bulama, tasked the author to continue to work for the unity and progress of Nigeria.
Also, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiaka Oyetola said the book is am additional value to journalistic endeavour in the country.
“As my Chief Press Secretary when I was the Governor of Osun State, Omipidan demonstrated high level of professionalism. I am proud of his style of working; deligent and committed.
Meanwhile, the book reviewer Dr Lasisi Lagunju described the 309 pages with 31 short chapters as the ‘book of battle’, written in a chronological order.
The author, Omipidan, expressed gratitude to all the dignatriies, explaining that he birthed the idea of writting the book ten years ago, adding the Vice President encouraged him to gathered more experience before taking it to the publisher.
“Today, it has become a reality. I truly added the experiences by working with my boss, Oyetola and many others, without which this book would not have had the substances it is made up”.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that those in attendance include the Managing Director of NAN, Malam Ali M. Ali, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali and others who came from Borno, Benue, Ogun, Zamfara, Jigawa Kano and other states.
NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA