Reader Reactions to Previous Columns

I have not published reader reactions to my columns for the past few weeks. I am changing that this week. In what follows, I took a fe...

I have not published reader reactions to my columns for the past few weeks. I am changing that this week. In what follows, I took a few reader responses from my series of articles on AFP’s reporting based on a tweet from a fake Emir of Kano Twitter handle that has been suspended by Twitter on account of my column. I also feature a few reactions to my column of last week titled “The Stubborn, Undying “Born to Rule” Falsehood in Nigeria’s Political Discourse”

After reading your columns on the AFP and Kano Emir affair, two things jumped at me. First, you did what our reporters back home should have done. Why didn’t any reporter in Nigeria deem it fit to investigate the authenticity of the tweet that claims to come from the Emir of Kano? Why should it take a Nigerian journalism professor in America for us to find out that the Twitter handle was fake? Thank you for your service, but I am saddened that we no longer have any journalism in Nigeria. We just have a bunch of lazy PR people masquerading as journalists. My second concern is: why are Nigerian newspapers dependent on a foreign news agency for stories about Nigeria? I can understand if they depend on them for foreign news, but Nigerian news?? What is happening to our journalism? Well, thank you for being there. If people like you didn’t exist some of us would never have a reason to read newspapers in Nigeria. Please, don’t stop. You’re the only reason I buy Weekly Trust.

John Olawale

Thank you for this article. I hope those at the Vanguard will heed your caution. I have noticed lately that tweets and Facebook comments have been making their way into mainstream news and journalists have now come to rely on it, quite frequently, to flesh out the issues they're reporting on. Irked as I am by the fact that people’s tweets are being read on the news, at least respectable media outlets who do so do it with the permission of the author and most times provide compensation for using their content. 

Mama ToMosh

Sad that AFP is being deceptive on the retraction. And it appears that Vanguard did not even attribute the story it published in its online edition on Dec 14 to AFP even though the story is identical to the one published by other AFP subscribers who have named AFP as the source. That could be yet another ethical infringement by Vanguard.

Raji Bello

Global terrorism gains popularity through this AFP. Every terror video to be publicised is always from them. They make terrorists more popular than the oppressed. 

Ahmad M. Salihu

It’s so unfortunate that a re-known media outfit like AFP can bend so low to publishing lies and character assassinations that may lead to destructive ends. I am so confused as to even why BOKO HARAM has no other medium to share their propaganda videos than AFP!!!! Is there any understanding or special regards between them?

 Abdullahi Muhammad

Thank you prof. Vanguard these days is in the league of Lindaikeji and Co.

Olatoye Olabanji

You have tightened the noose around AFP's neck. If not folks like you these bustards will take us for  sh*t.

John Mugu

Verification would have prevented this embarrassment. But in this age of pay per click, the more spurious the story, the more publishable it becomes.

Niyi Akintade

If AFP, Boko Haram videos agency, knows not who owns what twitter handle in Nigeria Vanguard should. But the crux of this is just that Vanguard wanted to insinuate that emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi is campaigning for GMB as against GEJ.

Salihu Sule Khalid

Ma sha Allah. Kudos to our enviable columnist, Prof. Kperogi. I think the emirate council of Kano should consider crowning him as Sarkin 'Yan Jarida, i.e. King of Journalists. Lol! I hope all the other news outlets will follow suit and publish the retraction alert

Muhsin Ibrahim

Re: The Stubborn, Undying “Born to Rule” Falsehood in Nigeria’s Political Discourse

Thank you for the insights. Please could you debunk this quote below as false, I saw it somewhere “This New Nation called Nigeria, should be an estate of our great grandfather, Uthman Dan Fodio. We must ruthlessly prevent a change of power. We use the minorities in the North as willing tools, and the South, as conquered territory and never allow them to rule over us, and never allow them to have control over their future.”  ---Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto in THE PARROT of October 12, 1960.

Olariche JNR

Issues raised above are very interesting to say the least. Young minds like us wonder how to fight myths such as this. It’s probably improbable for one to think a section of the country believes only in its ability to lead others and never to be led. Keep up the good work sir.

Sani Kutigi

Words cannot adequately express the depth of gratitude i felt after reading above titled article. There are a lot many misconceptions about these peace loving region that need to be highlighted. Our patience and great capacity for sacrifice for country, humble and accommodating nature are positives that can be tapped to build a great nation. Finally, i want to suggest that journalist and people that have capacity to influence society should keep on emphasising on the need to embrace education for our people. Thanks and May God continue to protect and guide you in your endeavors.

Adamu Yusuf

Thank you very much for the illuminating piece on the above-mentioned subject matter. The article should, objectively, destroy the myth created by some “public intellectuals" and polemicists about a large section of the Nigerian political family.  But as a sage pointed out "a man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still." Those visceral haters of the Hausa-Fulani and/or Muslim North will continue with their hate campaign heedless of the truth.

I am especially fascinated by the opening paragraph of the article, its first two sentences particularly. They offer a comprehensive definition of prejudiced minds one has read in a long time. More grease to your elbow.

Mohammed Tukur Usman

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