By: Ofonime Umanah
Protocol
If there is one subject that has been discussed again and again in journalism circles, it is the subject of press freedom. It is so important that the world decided to dedicate a day to celebrate and share thoughts on it, with a view to finding a nexus between it and other connecting issues.
That is why we are here to consider the connection between this all important issue as it affects our unity and the diversities in our cultural values, nuances and idiosyncrasies.
In looking at this subject, I will like to talk about press freedom, unity and cultural diversity, before making some navigational efforts towards connecting the dots.
I will assume that we all know what press freedom is, or what we think it is, or both. As journalists, some of us believe that press freedom means the freedom to publish or broadcast anything and everything. If this is what you believe, you may not be too wrong. But it is also important to know that press freedom is not absolute. In exercising press freedom therefore, it is equally important to ask yourself this question: will I still have my freedom after exercising press freedom?
There is a thin line between the spirit and letters of press freedom and the aftermath of its practice. If you cannot draw a line between order and liberty in the exercise of press freedom, you may not enjoy personal freedom as a journalist for too long.
In my about three decades of journalism practice- from The Nigerian Tide to the defunct National Concord, to the defunct AM News/The News/Tempo Group, to TNT, to The Punch, to Daily Independent and till now that I am privileged to serve as publisher of one of Niger Delta’s best newspaper, TNN(Today’s News Now), -and I say this at the risk of sounding immodest-I have seen and experienced the ups and downs of journalism practice especially in the exercise of press freedom and its attendant fallouts. I enjoyed and took advantage of press freedom, but there were times that freedom eluded me.
I have been arrested by the military. I have been arrested by the DSS. I have been arrested by the police many times. Some sitting governors have also harassed and embarrassed me. One of them wanted to give me a slap in the public, but was soon to remember that he was a governor and that he was in a public place. Then he respected himself. But another governor once invited me to his office where he gave me a hard punch on my chest. I was disorganized for a while. Then he told me that he had to punch me so that I could also feel the pains he used to feel everyday, whenever he went through the pages of The Punch newspaper, where I worked at the time.
Another sitting governor once called me on the phone, threatening that he would bring Warri boys to deal with me, since my news reports were hitting him daily. That same governor took me and our newspaper, TNN, to court twice for alleged defamation. Twice, we defeated him.
Before then, during the military era, a military governor had arrested and kept me in a guard room for almost a day. There was also a governor who wrote to the NSA during the Obasanjo era, telling him that I was not part of the people whose life he was securing, in his state. He declared me persona non grata. These were despite the fact that in virtually all my reports, I considered the principles of balance and order, which is what press freedom, and indeed journalism teaches.
Press freedom is therefore not the same thing as freedom for the press, especially in this part of the world. But it is the fertilizer that we need as practising journalists, to grow the society, whip our political leaders into line and effectively engender peace and promote cultural unification despite the diversities that we have.
What I have come to realize is that those who hold public offices are not comfortable when we try to exercise press freedom by acting as watchdogs and hold them accountable for whatever must have been given to them to hold in trust. They are uncomfortable if we report how they have mismanaged public funds. They are uncomfortable if we query them about the management of local government funds. They are uncomfortable if we ask them about contracts awarded without due process. But they will be happy if you report, for example, that Akwa Ibom people are hospitable, gracious, humble and industrious.
They are happy if you report that the Ibono fish market is the single biggest fish market in the African sub region and is capable of attracting tourists to the state.
They are happy when we report that the Ibibio man is a no-nonsense person. Our governor, Pastor Umo Eno, is not likely to punch a news reporter who writes about his dress sense and how gracious he is with smiles. The attack dogs that governors or other public office holders release on journalists would be in their cage, for as long as the journalist is able to celebrate the ingenuity and dexterity with which the Ikot Ekpene people produce raffia wooden chairs, raffia hats, raffia bags, Iso Ekpo (masquerade face), raffia shoes and even caskets that are patronized by people outside Akwa Ibom State.
Nobody will be hunted, kidnapped, brutalised or dehumanized by political jobbers if a journalist takes time to celebrate the traditional foods of the Annang people usually on display during traditional marriages, neither will any journalist be put in harm’s way if they pay attention to the well treasured Oron crayfish, or the Eket fish, or the special local wares produced in Ibibio lands. I read a special report in Straightnews entitled Ikot Ekpene: The legendary raffia city and I was not surprised because the publisher is a thorough-bred professional. The report is a classic example of what we are talking about.
As journalists, while we pay attention to what the government is not doing well, it is equally important to look at the direction of the cultures that make us thick as Akwa Ibom people.
This takes me to the issue of our cultural values and how we can profit from the diversities in our cultures. I will like to pay more attention to the Akwa Ibom example.
So, let’s talk about culture, why and how we need to have an amalgam of those diversified values for the good of Akwa Ibom State. For the purpose of this keynote address, I will be talking about culture as our way of life, our values, our treasures and the things we hold dear.
Culture is the characteristic and knowledge of a particular group of people, defined by everything- from language, religion, belief, social habits, music and arts. The center for advance research on language acquisition goes a step further to define culture as shared patterns of behaviours and interactions, cognitive construct and understanding that are learned by socialization. It is a way of life, a way of thinking, behaving or working that exist in a place or organization; the beliefs, customs, arts of particular society, group of people, place or time, a particular society that has its own beliefs, way of life.
Crisis between the various ethnic groupings in the state will cease if journalists can weave the cultural differences, using simple language, respectfully, and present same to the reading public as a sumptuous dish to behold and graciously consumed. I always see Akwa Ibom as a community of people with a potpourri of cultural sumptuousness, splendor and grandeur.
There are three basic tribes in Akwa Ibom- Ibibio, Annang and Oro. The trios have different cultural idiosyncrasies. But the good thing is that a good journalist, who is conscious of his press freedom license, can properly and effectively cause a marriage of the three cultures and would, in the end, promote unity in our state.
In truth, the mass media can influence people’s lifestyles by displaying certain cultural trends. For example, fashions of dress, food, music and hobbies popularized by the media can influence people’s behavior and preferences, which in turn influence their cultural identity and unity in the long run.
Unity in the midst of cultural differences actually starts with open communication and dialogue, as well as a willingness to listen and learn from one another. By coming together, just as we have done now, and listening to one another, we can learn from each other’s experiences and create a sense of belonging. It is also essential to recognize that unity in diversity is not a one-time effort but rather a continuous process of understanding and respect for others. This is so important because as we all know, unity is strength.
Unity in diversity is about celebrating and embracing our differences and seeking to understand and respect the perspectives and experiences of others. By embracing unity in diversity, we can create a more inclusive, compassionate and understanding world where everyone is valued and included. If we can make some noise about this in the media, the Oron man will not see the Annang man as a proud person, simply because of the way the Annang man carries himself. The Ibibio man will not see the Oro man as being a lover boy, just because he can show excess love to his wife.
I am sure I will be right if I say that in this state, we are beginning to master the uncommon ability to accommodate the vocal and boisterous nature of the Annang people, the decisive and ferocious nature of the Ibibio people as well as the temperate, strengthening and uncanny nature of the Oro people. If you are familiar with the juice called smoothie, then you will not get lost if I say that the above description of the cultures of the three major ethnic bents in Akwa Ibom is a proper and perfect example of what I call a cultural smoothie that can be prepared and served by a well-trained journalist to the world.
In Akwa Ibom, whether you are Ibibio, Annang or Oro, you cannot take away the culture of dressing, the culture of good food, the culture of neatness, the culture of hard work, the culture of respect for elders and the culture of religion from the people. The greatness of Akwa States lies in her diversity. If we agree that this is true, then it will also be correct to say that as journalists, we have not done enough to propagate this message to the world, even though we have the freedom to so do.
Getting the smoothie ingredients right
In the Oro Nation…
- Their ladies are generally tall, pretty and intelligent.
* Oro is home to a lot of natural resources including silica sand, salt, limestone, Uranium, Manganese, clay etc.
* Their major occupation is fishing and farming.
* A lot of people hold the erroneous view, that Oron people are very wild and dangerous, that they love fighting and causing problems. But that’s not true. Oron people are very peaceful and friendly, but if you look for their trouble, it is very unlikely that they will run away.
* Other tribes in Nigeria think that those from the Oro Nation love sex too much (Oro ema mfang), but the truth is, every tribe loves sex. But what you cannot take away from a typical Oro person is that he is very romantic, lovely, funny and…wait for this…they are good in bed; they always try to satisfy their women. Oro people are good husband materials. In fact, one researcher wrote that as a woman, if you marry an Oro man, good sex will never be your problem again. Maybe the women who are married to Oro men can confirm this.
- Source: Nairaland
The Ibibios
DILIGENCE AND TRUST
The Ibibio man is happy to do his job and earn his wages. He is content. He would rather earn the trust of his boss than perform eye-service. Before Senator Godswill Akpabio stopped the trend of taking Akwa Ibom people as house boys and girls, most people would want to have them because they were so trustworthy that some elite Nigerians freely granted them access to most protected parts of their homes- the kitchen and the bedroom.
This has been their nature since ancient times.
REPUBLICAN NATURE
Ancient Ibibios were frank and very principled. Till date, Ibibio people have the adage “ndiagha ke ufok owo,“ a common phrase meaning that one can express his mind without equivocation because his daily bread does not depend on any other person.
An Ibibio person has a way of giving his sincere opinion on issues, even if it differs from the norm. If you are in doubt, ask a former governor of the state, Obong Victor Attah, and how he undertook the resource control campaign.
LOVE FOR EDUCATION
The advent of colonialism influenced their love for education notably. Back then, the Ibibio people had increased passion for education and wanted to be like their bosses.
COURAGE AND EXEMPLARY LIVING
History does not leave out Ibibio women. They were deeply involved in the formation of modern Ibibio culture. It was Ibibio women who led the famous riot of 1929 in Ikot Abasi. Although writers recorded this as the Aba women’s riot, an Ibibio woman, the exemplary Madam Adiaha-Edem, was the arrow-head.
She was the paternal grand-mother of Senator Udoma Udo Udoma. Ibibio people are naturally un-intimidated yet, they are also humble.
Source: Naira land.
Here are some facts you probably don’t know about the Annang people and their culture:
*They are known for their efficiency in traditional spiritual powers and renowned arts like cement sculptures, masked moral paintings
* They are known for some cultural practices like disregarding females when it comes to power and positions. In Annang land, grandparents are not supposed to beat their grandchildren. I am an example in this regard. I grew up with my grandmother who took time to spoil me in the name of pampering a grandchild. I did not know how to handle any form of domestic chores until my teenage days, after she had died and I had to face the reality of life without a grandmother. In fact, it is said that if a grandchild is prevented from harvesting fruits like pear, mango or anything such, the trees could die.
In Annang land, married women are not allowed to cheat on their husbands because it would lead to misfortune. There is something called Ekpo Nka Agwo. If you don’t know what this means, please ask any Annang man closest to you.
*The Annang people are known to be courageous and fearless. (agwo annang ade agwo uko). It is reflected in their names…Akukwu, Akwuo, Ekpe, Atuekong, Enang, Ikwot, etc.
How then can we apply the press freedom license to promote unity in the midst of these diversities?
We can start with the Christmas experience as initiated by the Akwa Ibom State government. Every December, we have all the 31 local government areas congregate at the Christmas village to display their cultural endowments. Journalists in Akwa Ibom can take advantage of this and tell the Akwa Ibom story to the world, from various perspectives. In doing that, we would have promoted the cultures of
- Our mode of dressing/neatness
- Our hairstyles
- Our kindness to visitors and strangers (hospitality)
- Our respect for elders
- Our music and dances (remember the legendary Uko Akpan dance and Nka Ikemesit)
- Our arts and crafts
- Our sense of industry/hard work
- Our resilience/the can do spirit of the Akwa Ibom man.
- Our food.
As I begin to conclude, let me dwell a little on the culture of reading because it concerns all of us, especially journalists. This is even more so because as purveyors of news, if we allow this culture to die, then we have become almost useless to the society and we would have made nonsense of the concept of freedom of information.
We can only continue to show leadership in the business of information management if we can read, continue reading and remain consistently consistent in reading.
The prolific and wonderful author, John Maxwell once said that “readers are leaders. I believe if you want to lead your life, you need to read books that inspire, inform and offer insights — then you can start to truly lead yourself.”
Francis Bacon, the prominent English philosopher and Essayist once said that reading makes a full man, conference makes a ready man and writing an exact man. So, if you stop reading, you begin the journey to becoming half a man; and if this happens to a journalist, he comes half baked.
My journey into journalism started from my primary school days, when I would pick up newspapers on the floor to read-old newspapers-anything that is written. I grew with that culture and took it to my early days as an adult. I had an uncle who had the habit of buying the Daily Times in those days. That was how I started reading icons like Ray Ekpu, Dan Agbese, Yakubu Mohammed, et cetera. Years later, I added people like Mike Awoyinfa, Moffat Ekoriko, Dimgba Igwe and the greatest satirist of all times, our very own Ndaeyo Uko, among many others.
Of this lot, I give it to Ray Ekpu for a few reasons, one of which is very personal and whenever I remember it, I get emotional. I see Ray Ekpu, and I think many people do too, as the grandfather of journalism, not just in Akwa Ibom State, but unarguably also in Nigeria. I believe many of us here will agree.
Let me tell you the story of Ray Ekpu and my career journey, and why he is my journalism idol. In 1989 when I got admission to study mass communication, it was difficult to explain to my father about the course I was to study. The only option was to bring in Ray Ekpu. So, I told my father that the course I wanted to study would make me be like Ray Ekpu. My father smiled in agreement. The simplest way to explain mass communication to my father was the mention of Ray Ekpu. That was how to journey started.
I have been an ardent follower and fan of Ray Ekpu overtime. That is why, at every event involving the Nigeria Guild of Editors which I belong, I would go to him to renew loyalty. Recently, I read his piece in The Guardian, where he hammered on this all-important culture that we seem to have abandoned.
Let me quote part of what Mr Ray Ekpu wrote: “Reading (culture) has virtually disappeared for a number of reasons: decline in the quality of education, shift in values from education to the quest for ill-gotten wealth, high cost of reading materials and a high level of poverty and the advances in technology which have downgraded the serious business of reading in preference for the ephemeralness of the trivial.”
Warren Buffet, one of the world’s richest men is reputed to have said that “I read everything: annual reports, biographies, histories, five newspapers a day. On airplanes, I read the instructions on the backs of the seats. Reading is key.”
It is worrisome that many journalists have abandoned the culture of reading. We do not even read the things we write. The younger journalists do not read what senior colleagues write. We do not read books. We do not even read the body language of the society, to know what to publish or broadcast.
Because we do not read, we do not learn. Because we do not learn, we become stunted and are limited in knowledge. And, what is KNOWLEDGE?- it is what you know that makes you have an edge over others. For me, this is where the navigation we are talking about should start from. (break knowledge down).
As journalists, we must make up our mind to promote the cultural values of our state, including the reading culture, using our various platforms, in exercise of the freedom we have. Let’s use our platforms to propel our teachers, lecturers, political leaders and even journalists to read and keep reading and continue with the culture of reading, so that we can know something about everything. Thank God there is an assembly of readers called the Uyo Book Club. Get initiated.
This is more so because reading makes us better thinkers, improves our skills, helps us to master communication, helps us relax and in case you did not know, reading keeps us young. This, I believe, will help us even more, as we navigate press freedom and give life to our cultural diversity.
May God help us. Thank you very much for your time.
Being a keynote address presented by Mr, Umanah, Publisher, TNN Newspapers, at the 2024 World Press Freedom Day at the NUJ, Akwa Ibom State on May 3, 2024.
