By Praise Chinecherem
The National Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene has called on media practitioners to always use their pens to constructively criticize and tell leaders of the country the bitter truth about the worsening state of the country.
The leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, particularly urged bloggers to assist in changing the nation’s narrative by reorienting the youths to take over their country from bad leaders.
Okene-Ogene spoke on Friday in Awka at the 2022 Bloggers Summit, organised by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, in collaboration with Life International Hospital.
He regretted that Nigerian elders have disappointed the youths through use of religion and tribe to perpetuate themselves in power, thereby creating disaffection among the citizens.
The Ohanaeze helmsman who chaired the occasion, also urged media professionals to do everything possible to restore the country to its past glory.
He noted that the people who laid the foundation of the country were all youths then, and wondered why those above 80 were still desperately struggling to be the President of the country.
He said, “If things continue like this, that means time may come when people would even go and exhume a buried corpse to come and contest election in this country. They keep saying that youths are the leaders of tomorrow; when will that tomorrow ever come?
“You must use your pen to disengage them, because we don’t have the arms to do so, but you have your pens. Pen is mightier than sword. I like the way you criticize, even though there may few junks among.
“Also, always try to be objective in your criticisims. Always check and investigate well before publishing.”
According to Ogene, bloggers are usually freer because they and their addresses are not usually known, unlike the conventional media whom are known and can be sued or sanctioned at anytime.
Reacting to the recent attack at Kuje prison, Abuja, which is the highest prison in the country; he further urged bloggers to openly remind President Muhammadu Buhari that the country’s system has totally collapsed, and that people are no longer safe.
Earlier, Chairman, State Council of NUJ, Dr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu urged the bloggers to do their jobs diligently for the good of the country.
Describing bloggers as fifth estate of the realm, Odogwu enjoined the bloggers to complement the traditional media to build a viral country.
He further charged the bloggers to be careful with the kind of news they carry, warning against sacrificing objectivity at the alter of clicks.
“We must avoid sensational stories capable of creating problems and overheating the already heated polity,” he added.
