For records. Journalism and challenge of the construction of the nation in a Multiethnic-Thage company

A speech of his excellence, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, scammer of the state of Bauchi at the 3rd Lateef Jakande Memorial Lecture held in Lagos on July 24.

“If you are emotionally attached to your tribe, religion or political inclinations to the point that truth and justice become secondary considerations, your education is useless. Your exposure is useless. If you cannot reason beyond small feelings, you are a responsibility for humanity.”

– Dr. Chuba Okadigbo

Mr. President, distinct guests, esteemed journalists and publishers, ladies and gentlemen,

It is both a privilege and a solemn honor to keep this lesson in memory of the deceased Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande – journalist, public official, Patriot. We gather not only to celebrate a life, but to renew a purpose: the purpose of journalism in the service of the construction of the nation, especially in our richly diversified but often divided society.

Allow me to start by praising the Nigerian guild of the publishers for supporting this important tradition. Your commitment to dialogue and the memory is not only noble, but it is necessary. Meetings like this must be encouraged and institutionalized, because they allow us to learn from our past, reflect on our present and trace a course for our future.

The immortal power of the press

The history of Nigeria is in many ways the history of his journalism. Many before we had gained independence, it was the Nigerian press that laid the foundations for our freedom.

Men like Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Anthony Enahoro have not only written editorials: they aroused national consciousness. Azikiwe’s West Africa pilot brought the deep motto: “Show light and people will find the way”.

Others followed: Bisi Onabanjo, Sa’Adu Zungur, Bob Ogbuagu, Mokwugo Okoye – names that should not be simply remembered, but taught in every journalism school. These were journalists who became a leader, not changing careers, but extending their service from the editorial staff to the nation.

In fact, there is almost no more suitable profession to form future public employees than journalism. Because the journalist is trained to listen, to investigate, to challenge power and above all – to serve public interest.

This was the philosophy of Alhaji Lateef Jakande. As a governor of Lagos, its journalistic values have become governance values: simplicity, honesty, accessibility and efficiency. Jakande ruled with his pen still in his heart, even if not in his hand.

Even when he served under General Abacha – a decision that aroused serious criticism and even contempt – he endured him in silence, for a deep conviction in the unity, nationality and in the possibility of service in difficult circumstances. That experience is a reminder for all of us who sometimes, the judges of history not from the sound of the crowd, but by the integrity of the reason.

I can relate to that experience personally. In 2010, I moved the doctrine of the motion of necessity to the Senate, a decision that allowed the vice -president Goodluck Jonathan to take on presidential powers in a moment of constitutional uncertainty. The recourse was fierce. My voters accused me of treason. Petitions to remember me circulating like a fire. Yet I knew that the path of the construction of the nation often crosses the terrain of misunderstanding. At that moment, I understood something deeper in Alhaji Jakande’s journey.

Journalism under fire: then and now

The Nigerian press has endured and resisted oppression in many forms.

Under colonialism, he fought for independence. Under military domain, he fought for democracy. Under both, he paid dear.

We must never forget the dark years when the newspapers have been prohibited and the journalists arrested. African Concord (1992), champion of newspapers and Vanguard (1990), The Guardian (1994) and The Sunday Magazine (1995) – All silently silenced, but they never conquered. It was a time when the pens were confiscated, but not courage. A moment when the truth was a dangerous act – but it was still acted.

Today, the threats are different but no less insidious. The digital era opened the doors of information and disinformation. Social media have democratized the speech but also diluted the truth. Artificial intelligence now creates titles, but who controls the heart behind them?

And then, there is the corrosive influence of great money. Politicians, companies and special interests now compete for their narratives, not just policies. Editorial independence is constantly under siege and the temptation to exchange the truth with access is bigger than ever.

However, the challenge is not only external. It is also internal.

Some media houses do not have institutional discipline for being guard dogs that aspire to be. Young journalists are often exploited, scarcely trained and delivered a pen without principles. You cannot promote ethics in society if your home is in disorder. Journalists don’t just have to write the truth, but they have to live it.

Veterans must mentor. The institutions must reform. And we must invest in civil education, media literacy and training that equip the next generation not only tools, but with a mission.

The role of journalism in the construction of the nation

I would like to be clear: journalism does not only concern reporting events. It is a question of modeling the soul of the nation.

In a multi-ethnic society like ours, in which language, religion and geography too often define identity, the media must help to create national consciousness-anunn consciousness that enhances justice, merit and shared destiny.

We simply have to be a federation of ethnic groups. We must be a nation of citizens.

This requires cultivating national Ethos: values that transcend our differences. Respect for life. State of law. Dignity of work. Truth on Tribes.

As Martin Luther King Jr. said

“I have a dream that my four young children will live one day in a nation in which they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”

Allow me to locate that dream:

“I dream of a Nigeria in which children are not judged by their surname, their state of origin or their place of worship, but by the content of their character and the strength of their service.”

That dream can become reality – with the right leadership and with the right media.

Let me quote an example of our experience in the state of Bauchi. Despite our diversified population – religiously, ethnically, linguistically – Bauchi remains one of the most peaceful and United States in Nigeria. This is not by chance. It is the result of resolved and inclusive policies that reflect our belief in fairness, merit and unity. We appoint on the basis of the ability, not to the ancestors. We build schools and health centers where they are necessary, not where they are politically convenient. Our traditional and religious leaders are authorized to act as bridges, not barricades.

What journalists have to do – Now

In this light, allow me to offer five humble propositions:

1️⃣ Defend the rule of law: when a company begins to ignore judicial decisions, it is on the path of illegality. No nation can survive selective justice. The media must call every request in which the orders of the court are broken, not because of those involved, but because of what is at stake: the soul of the Republic. And when the conflict produces, let the dialogue – do not deny – be our first answer.

2️⃣ Request credible leadership: journalists must question each candidate, examine every promise and highlight the integrity on popularity. The elections should be competitions of ideas, not identity. Leadership must never be reduced to law.

3️⃣ Champion National Reconciliation: Nigeria has to face its past. We can no longer sweep the historical complaints under the carpet. A summit of truth and reconciliation, guided in part by the media, could help take care of our wounds.

4️⃣ Promote civic education and the inclusion of the language: encourage – not sent – the learning of Nigerian languages outside of a person. Understanding each other is the first step to love us.

5️⃣ Start with cleaning: the media must correct their broken windows. Take advantage of the interns, to accumulate opportunities, close a eye to corruption inside: these must stop. The pen must remain clean to remain powerful.

Because Nigeria must not fail

Our survival as a nation is not optional. It is imperative.

Our size gives us the lever.

Our diversity, correctly exploited, is strength.

Our shared history binds us more than it divides.

Our natural resources can feed prosperity, if managed with integrity.

Let the Nigerian media be the spark of that integrity.

Closing reflection

In conclusion, let me return to the life of Alhaji Lateef Jakande.

Here was a man who lived simply, he ruled wisely and died with dignity. He has never used his office to build empires. He built schools. Built houses. He built people.

Let his life remember that power is not what we hold – is what we do with what we care.

To my journalism colleagues: stay still. It remains in principle. Remain patriotic.

Even when others falter, let the Nigerian press be remembered as “the latest men and women standing”.

Thank you.

Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, with, Governor, State of Bauchi

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