Ameachi lambasts Jonathan, says Nigeria was broke under him
The Federal Government of Nigeria is broke, which perhaps, explains why President Muhammadu Buhari has been consistent in his request for loans since he came to office in 2015.
Nigeria’s total public debt stands at N39.5 trillion as at December 2021, the Debt Management Office had reported, pointing out that when borrowings from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the stock of Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) are added, the debt profile will be in excess of N50 trillion.
This was disclosed by the minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Ameachi, who, however, absolved Buhari of any blame, saying the country was broke during the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The minister, who spoke at this year’s World Press Freedom Day celebration of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council, in Uyo, charged journalists to hold governments at all levels accountable to their actions as that was the only way to institute good governance in Nigeria.
He further said that journalists must also challenge the problem of elite conspiracy and manipulation if Nigerians ever hope to have the type of leadership they want.
While charging Nigerians to vote wisely in next year’s general elections, the minister, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) commended the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) for the invitation to attend the event and assured the Union to mobilize his associates to support the roofing of the auditorium project at the press centre.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Comrade Ini Ememobong, commended the minister for facilitating the approvals of the Federal Government for Ibom Deep Seaport, and assured that the State Government was on course with the project.
Reiterating the significance of the annual celebration, which he said was a reminder to the government of the need for press freedom, the Commissioner gave Akwa Ibom Government a pat at the back for ensuring that journalists in the state have the liberty to do their job unhindered at all times.
The state chairman of the NUJ, Comrade Amos Etuk, in his speech, stated that the Union joins hand with freedom-loving people around the world to urge governments to give journalists the space to practice and ensure the liberty of all, and called
on the National Assembly to urgently initiate the process of amending the Nigerian Criminal Code Act and expunge Sections 50 and 51 that provide for the offence of sedition and Section 375, which dwells on criminal libel.
”In making this call, I would like to adopt the words of Ms Claire Ward, UK Secretary of State, who was quoted as saying, while announcing the abrogation of the law on sedition, that: “Sedition and defamatory libel are arcane offences from a bygone era, when freedom of expression was not seen as the right it is today,” Etuk said.
He called for a conducive atmosphere for journalists to operate, but reiterated the need to adhere to ethical standards in practice of the profession.
“To whom much is given, much is expected. Society looks up to us for balanced and professionally researched reports and anything short of that is a disservice to our society and our profession.
“In the build up to the 2023 general elections in the country, I call on our members to be temperate in their reportage.
“”The political and security situation in our country is such that utmost restraints and responsible journalism are called up each time we make editorial judgement. We must do away with sensationalism, politically insensitive and outrightly inciting reports.
“We have to emphasize that Akwa Ibom state remains one family, no matter the political differences. Elections will come and go, but our state remains. We must ensure that our reports are such that they would build, rather than destroy what we have,” Etuk stated.
Earlier in her remarks, the chairman of the Planning Committee, Comrade Grace Udoma, noted that this year’s celebration with the theme, Journalism Under Surveillance, was strategic as Nigeria negotiates the sharp corner leading to 2023 general elections.
She stressed that journalists are being watched by the society as they reports political activities, meaning that they are expected to be objective and accurate in their reports.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of the NUJ uniform and a fez cap to Ameachi by Etuk.
At the event were Senator Ifeanyi Ararume of Imo State; Rector, Maritime Academy of Nigeria, Oron, Commodore Duja Effedua (Rtd); Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon; manager, Media and Communications, Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited, Mr. Ugechukwu Udeagha; wife of the Head of Civil Service, Mrs. Uduak Essien, among others.
