Why I don't read Nigerian newspapers, by Obasanjo
From Charles Coffie Gyamfi, Abeokuta

http://www.guardiannewsngr.com/news/article04


VERBAL darts were on Sunday night thrown at the Nigerian print media by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who described them as lacking in integrity.

The observation, he said, explained for why he doesn't read any of the publications.

Obasanjo, at an award ceremony organised by the Ogun State government for its deserving citizens, described as sad the supposed Nigerian penchant for not recognising selfless service, especially while persons are still alive.

He urged those who fall into such category not to be disturbed because Jesus Christ, the son of God, who gave his life to mankind and went about doing good all the time, was crucified.

He argued that the print media in the country has been using his name to sell their papers and disclosed that he was considering using legal means to charge a commission from any of them that uses his name for a story.

Tagged: "Award of Excellence," the ceremony was put in place by the Ogun State government to recognise and reward people who had distinguished themselves in their various fields.

The state governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, agreed with Obasanjo that those who had rendered selfless services to Nigeria were often not recognised but rather, were humiliated and ridiculed after leaving office.

Obasanjo commended Daniel for organising the award, insisting that such gestures encourage people to serve humanity.

He urged the awardees to be grateful that God had made it possible "because not many people are recognised for whatever service they render in their lifetime."

On the print media, he said: "I don't read Nigerian newspapers. When people ask me, 'have you read the papers today?' I reply by asking them 'for what?'

"They will now tell me, they are abusing you and I will reply that that is better than being crucified"

The former President, who after leaving office as military ruler, once placed a signboard barring journalists and dogs from his farm, said further: "You see, they (journalists) will never leave me alone because anyone who wants to sell his (paper) must say something about Obasanjo."

He continued: "The only thing I will have to do is to consult my lawyer to see whether I can charge them, so that I can take commission anytime they use Obasanjo's name in their paper."

The state governor, Otunba Daniel noted that: "It is a sad commentary on our political, sociology and philosophy that those who have served the society creditably are humiliated and ridiculed, out of envy and petty politics".

According to the governor: "This syndrome has discouraged well meaning people from participating in politics for fear of having their hard-earned reputation dragged in the mud. This definitely must change."

Daniel said that Obasanjo made "invaluable contributions not just to the progress of our state but to the development of Nigeria and the emancipation of Africa."

In all, 21 persons received awards in various categories. The "Life Achievement Award" was bestowed on Obasanjo. The Farmer of the year award went to Oba Josia Bamidele Otukoya; the Public Servant of the year award (junior category) went to Mrs. A Sonoola, head messenger; while that of the senior category went to Mr. K.P Fagbohun. The Media Award was won by Miss. Doyin Lasisi. The award prize for each of the winners was N100,000.

Among the dignitaries at the ceremony was the Mayor of Detroit, U.S.A, Mr. Kwame Filpatrick, who was honoured with Ogun State citizenship.

Now we know why this man did things that never took the sensitivities and opinions of Nigerians into consideration.

This man was probably just as bad as Abacha. Absolute disregard for the collective will of the poeple he was purported to be leading. How do you lead a people if you don't care about what they say and how will you know what they say if you don't read the papers ?

He arrogated the omniscience of knowledge to himself. What a catastrophic leader we had for eight years.

By the way, what does he read ? Ikebe Super I guess

Why would he read Nigerian newspapers? I guess he has unequalled passion for porn mags jusging by his fleet of women friends.

Am not surprised, thats why his administration sleep-walked us for 8yrs. The man was on auto-pilot or was he just too dumb to read the papers.

that gay Daniel is now Obasanjo's yard-dog.

Disgraceful

That explains why OBJ Nigeria was a mess.

But wait, he was busy looting, Nigeria dry, thats why he did not read any newspaper.

a president who want to fight with a musician for singing"nigeria jaga-jaga"
he is such a rubbish man.
from the way is he power thirsty, i am thinking he will context for gov in the next election.

OBJ is a mad dog.

What a disgraceful leader and a total bad example for the youths of this nation.

Even if you don't read Nigerian newspapers, as a leader, it should have been kept to yourself.
Regardless of what is wrong, Nigerian Newspapers still represent Nigeria. Instead of talking rubbish as usual, a decent leader should work toward discovering an effective strategy to make Nigerian newspapers a better and reliable source of communication mechanism.

This man is a big shame to man-kind; and Nigeria will never never move forward if he's not permanently sent to OTTA.

He represents everything that is wrong with Nigeria.

He represents everything that is wrong with Nigeria.

exactly.

that goes to show why we had problems throught his reign as president, b/c he does not even read our opinion at all. How can he know what the country is passing through when he does not read newspaper. Imagine the monkey?

he does not know how to present his case. he reads but he does not like them. why will he fight with ait and the owners during the third term agenda if he does not read them?
how come he wants to sue for 10% if he does not read them? he just a symbol of corruption and lies.
no wonder he is using his efcc to claim the sun newspaper.
he is just a rubbish man and i wonder why many nigerians are surprise with this statement of his when he had said more irresponsible things in the past.
this same old fool told nigerians and oyo people to manage and tolorate adedibu because he is too old to be reformed. he equally mentioned it to nigerians that the april polls was going to be a do or die affairs. he had in the past embarrassed journalists for asking him questions. he directly insulted idris for singing nigeria jaga-jaga.
in fact, obj was and is the worst thing that has happenned to nig.
okada men are more diplomatic and responsible in their ulterances.
if we are in unity, we can as a people disown the man who is so used to chickens, goats, pigs, dogs and other low class animals coupled with the fact that abacha's brutality introduced him to a different world which has really made him a caged animal.
nigerian union of journalists should stand up against the big fool.

I actually stopped buying newspapers about 2 years ago.

In reality, some nonsense and very misleading headlines on our newspapers go to show that the owners are really interested in making money not protecting the interest of Nigerians.

If OBJ did not read newspapers and developed Nigeria very well will some of us be saying what we are saying?

Reading or not reading newspapers (especially Nigerian newspapers) has very little to do with whether a leader will do well or not.

A leader that wants to work will work regardless of what the newspapers say or whether he/she reads them.

Afam:

I actually stopped buying newspapers about 2 years ago.

In reality, some nonsense and very misleading headlines on our newspapers go to show that the owners are really interested in making money not protecting the interest of Nigerians.

If OBJ did not read newspapers and developed Nigeria very well will some of us be saying what we are saying?

Reading or not reading newspapers (especially Nigerian newspapers) has very little to do with whether a leader will do well or not.

A leader that wants to work will work regardless of what the newspapers say or whether he/she reads them.

Is this truly Afam the Company Executive talking
Jeez !!

Who ever heard of a leader or an educated person at that, who does not read the papers ?

By the way, if you stopped buying Nigerian Newsapaers two years ago, why did you bother to publish an article recently in the Guardian ? Who were you expecting to read your article since you can't be bothered to buy 'useless' Nigerian Newspapers ?

There is no thoughtful, enlightened and educated leader who will not want to know what his people think of him and his policies. All the papers in Nigeria can't be wrong at the same time and they are definitely not all useless. They don't all tell lies. They represent what is truly Nigeria. That is where alot of discussion in this forum come from.

If Obasanjo could not be bothered to read them because they did not print good things about him, it only shows that he did too many terrible things that did not benefit the average Nigerian.

No Sir, a leader can't just do what he thinks is right without feeling the pulse of his people through their comments in the papers. That is so autocratic and dictatorial and typical of most African leaders, which is what makes the Western, more competent and performing, leaders better. They care about what their people say. They bow to popular opinions when it is the right thing to do.
No leader has a monopoly of what is good for the people and that includes Obj

By the way Afam, drop this thinking that a leader can do what he likes, irrespective of what his people think or say. It is too African (Lord of the land attitude) and doesn't work any more in a modern, democratic world.
And you are supposed to be too educated and expoesed to think like that, otherwise we are finished if people like you still think this way, with all your education, western exposure and global knowledge.

How OBJ go have time for newspapers, na me dey supply him with Playboy and Husler magazines personally when we dey Villa

@funloving,

I don't know anything about company executive, that is Guardian for you.

On the issue of dictatorship vs democracy I raised the issue somewhere and justice was done to the thread.

See the following link if you have time and see for yourself what dictators have done in the past to shape great economies today.

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/board/main-square/39858-chavez-charges-change.html

As for the other issues you raised I will leave you to be your own judge.

Enjoy the coming weekend.