Daniel Gets Outstanding Gov Award From His Own Newspaper

June 15, 2009 15:00 (5 hours ago)
The declaration of Otunba Gbenga Daniel of Ogun state as the most outstanding governor in education in the country has been condemned by communication scholars and journalists alike.

The award, which is organised by the Nigerian Compass Newspaper, owned by governor Daniel, has been described as obscene, unethical and laughable. A cross-section of Nigerians who spoke to our correspondents this morning, on the award scheduled for Sunday, in Abuja, condemned it and called on media practitioners to reject it. Reacting to governor Daniel’s declaration as the most outstanding governor, the Dean, Faculty of Information and Communications Technology, Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, Dr. Femi Ademiluyi, described the award as obscene.

“I am surprised that in this 21st century, such manipulation can take place. It is not right and should be condemned by media practitioners. It is incredible that a national newspaper can go to the extent of boosting the ego of its proprietor by giving him an award that he does not deserve,” he stated. In his reaction, the coordinator of the International Press Centre, Ogba, Mr. Lanre Arogundade, who has been at the forefront of the campaign against media giving awards, described the Compass awards as unethical.

“In this instance, it is not right. It is unethical. You can’t be a judge in your own case. It is not right because the proprietorial interest of Daniel in Compass Newspaper is well known. They shouldn’t have included their proprietor in the list of those considered for the award. “I have always been opposed to newspapers giving awards to people. This is because it compromises their principles. How do you reconcile the interest of the newspaper to hold the government accountable to the people with the interest of the awardees, who, in this case, are state governors? The media is the watchdog and this role is compromised when it starts giving awards.
http://thepmnews.com/2009/06/15/daniel-gets-outstanding-gov-award-from-his-own-newspaper