By Adenekan Shogunle
I read with stupefied horror, the VANGUARD Newspaper diatribe on ICPC dated 13th April, 2024. Indeed, it was an un-missable, bold print, front page headlining stuff.
The authors and editor were calculative and deliberate. They wanted to grab public attention. Alas, for the very wrong reasons. How are the mighty fallen!!!
I have heard it said that certain media outfits often float sensational stories to attract and boost sales. I never reckoned that VANGUARD Newspaper would be counted amongst the lowest of the low.
At its founding in 1984 by Mr. Sam Amuka Pemu (a renowned, veteran journalist and columnist of the “Sad Sam Fame” who also co-founded PUNCH Newspaper), to drive it’s vision and mission, the VANGUARD adopted the motto “TOWARDS A BETTER LIFE FOR THE PEOPLE”.
In what was assumed to be a subtle dig at the monocled vision of the then First Lady, Dr Maryam Babangida’s BETTER LIFE FOR RURAL WOMEN program, Nigerians received The VANGUARD with open arms.
Unfortunately, it now seems that The VANGUARD is slowly departing from the vision of its founders by joining the ranks of media trolls who see journalism as a meal ticket only.
In the days of Sam Amuka Pemu and other giants of the profession in Nigeria, investigative journalism was a service and served to entertain, enlighten and educate the populace. Journalism also served to mould public opinion, mobilise and enlist public support of higher social values and goals. In this way, the practice and practitioners of journalism earned respect and renown as members of the Fourth Estate of the Realm. The grossly inaccurate and misleading VANGUARD Newspaper story on ICPC is a great disservice to the legacy of VANGUARD and the treasured memory of its founders.
