By Val. Obienyem
Prof. Wole Soyinka is a distinguished Nigerian whose contributions to literature and politics are globally recognized. However, despite his achievements, he sometimes fails to heed that each profession, especially in his writings, has the moral obligation to be understood or keep quiet.
I read Soyinka’s comments about Mr. Peter Obi with a heavy heart, troubled by the magnitude of his errors. How can somebody say Obi was not qualified to contest the Presidency? Anyone in Nigeria who does not understand or pretends not to understand that the Obidient movement is a spontaneous response to the country’s problems is out of touch with reality. With the prevailing situation in the country, more of similar movements will surely emerge. Who is happy with Nigeria as it presently is? It is a sort of we-they group, made up of the oppressed and oppressors. Obidients are the oppressed Nigerians, which we thought Soyinka would have sealed his activism by identifying with.
During the lead-up to the 2023 Presidential election, Soyinka criticized Obi’s running mate, Sen. Yusuf Datti, and proposed a debate with him or any designated representative. In response, some of us arranged for Prof. Okey Ikechukwu to serve as the delegate for that purpose. Our rationale was straightforward: Ikechukwu, renowned for his civil discourse, would convey the essential points without resorting to provocative language. Even when his statements deliver a decisive impact(Knock-out-blow), they do not leave behind a trail of hostility.
This scenario reminded me of a symposium during my seminary days. We invited the elderly Mr. Sylvester Udunni to deliver the keynote address. Our teachers, led by Mr. Collins Okeke (now a priest), were eager to challenge him with their fresh philosophical insights, being newly minted from philosophical studies and eager to showcase their erudition. However, after Mr. Udunni finished his paper, he excused himself and left before any discussion began. The philosophical pundits were left with Mr. Borbert Oguegbu (Wasky of Nollywood) to spar with. We thoroughly enjoyed the lively debate and applauded the arguments like sturdy blows at the Olympics. However, Ikechukwu is a seasoned speaker and would take on anyone, however acclaimed, in an intellectual joust.
When we presented our debate plans to Mr. Obi, he laughed and asked if Prof. Okey Ikechukwu was aware of the arrangement. Misunderstanding his concern, I assured him that contacting Ikechukwu would not be a problem. Obi then expressed doubt that Ikechukwu would accept the debate under such circumstances.
Obi calmly explained, “Val, if your father called you stupid and challenged you to a debate, would you accept? It is highly disrespectful to debate Soyinka—not only because of his societal achievements but also because of his age.”
Obi’s remarks about Soyinka were insightful, reflecting his reverence for both the man and old age. Having met with Soyinka several times, Soyinka should have a good understanding of his character by now. If Soyinka opposes people like Obi becoming president, it implies he believes the position should remain in the hands of brigands.
Part of the reason Okonkwo killed Ikemefuna, who called him father, was his fear of appearing cowardly. Why is Soyinka so determined to undermine Obi?
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African Media Lawyers Network inaugurated at the 3rd African Media Convention in Ghana
The 3rd African Media Convention held in Accra, Ghana May 15-17, 2024 came to a close with a major milestone, the official launch of the African Media Lawyers Network (AMLN), the first continental network with the mandate of protecting freedom of expression and press freedom in Africa, at the closing ceremony attended by hundreds of delegates drawn from Africa and the global community.
The lawyers network was officially launched by Dr. Rita Bissoonauth, the Director of the UNESCO Addis Ababa Liaison Office to AU and UNECA together with Sarah Peeters, of Pan African Lawyers Union (PALU).
Speaking at the launch, Dr. Bissoonauth said:
“We are pleased today to launch the African Media Lawyers Network, after a lot of hard work, widespread consultations and consensus with stakeholders led by the Pan African Lawyers Union and the Congress of African Journalists. We want to leverage on the African Media Lawyers Network, giving a focus on the needs and requirements of the safety of journalists. As UNESCO, we are here to support, at the national, sub-regional and regional levels”.
2022 marked the 10th Anniversary of the United Nations Plan of Action on the safety of journalists, she added, and the issue of impunity which saw a number of continent-wide consultations to look at the achievements, the gaps and how to improve on the implementation of the UN Plan of Action on the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity in Africa.
“Freedom of expression and safety of journalists have been on the decline in Africa. Journalists, unfortunately, are still being attacked and they face a lot of challenges. This is why there has been consensus to establish the African Media Lawyers Network as a major step in our efforts to address the challenges,” she concluded.
On her part, Ms. Sarah Peeters, added:
“We are happy to be here to launch the African Media Lawyers Network, the first of its kind operating at the continental level, to bring together the legal profession, media actors and institutions to enhance quality and capacity in media related litigation efforts, both prevention and protection wise. Let’s make this network effective and achieve great things.”
Commenting on the launch, the President of CAJ, Chris Isiguzo said: “We are excited to officially launch the African Media Lawyers Network, an effort led by PALU, CAJ and UNESCO. This is a major step in tackling the issue of impunity against journalists witnessed through arbitrary arrests, detention and malicious prosecution. We are assembling a team of lawyers under the network to offer rapid response in cases where journalists face such challenges, across Africa”.
Before the launch, the partners also hosted a workshop on the sidelines of the Convention that was attended by journalists, lawyers, freedom of expression advocates and other stakeholders under the theme: Defending the Media: Media Litigation, Defense and Freedom.
The workshop hosted a panel of experts, among them lawyers, journalists and CSOs who discussed the role of media lawyers’ networks in improving media space in AU member states; Enhancing collaboration between lawyers and the media in AU member states, and sharing good practices by continental, regional and national lawyers’ networks.
The establishment of AMLN, the first ever continent-wide network of media lawyers, aims at protecting and promoting press freedom, providing legal expertise, and supporting journalists and media houses in advocating for a legal environment that is conducive to independent and responsible journalism in the AU Member States. The project is supported with funding from UNESCO/IPDC
Through an empowered team of lawyers, the AMLN will lead concerted responses to emerging threats and harassment of journalists as well as providing the necessary legal support, including reviewing media laws and policies. The AMLN will further facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing among legal actors, media partners and stakeholders, which can fast-track protecting journalists and promoting press freedom on the Continent.
The AMLN, which is currently hosted by PALU in Arusha, Tanzania, will now embark on consolidating a team of lawyers across the continent and develop a plan of action towards rapid response on cases of journalists facing prosecution as well lead research and legal reform initiatives on oppressive laws in AU Member countries.
*Obienyem, a public affairs analyst, was SA (Media) to Mr. Peter Obi
