I Foresaw Awotunsi’s death – Emma Agu

Pioneer editor of Champion newspaper , Mr Emma Agu, has revealed
that he had premonition that ‘something bad would happen’ when
murdered reporter of the newspaper, Tayo Awotunsi , elected to cover
the civil war in Liberia. He added that he advised him against going.

Agu made this known during a symposium for journalists to mark the
2017 World Day for Safety of Journalists, otherwise known as
International Day to End Impunity against Journalists on Thursday in
Lagos.

The one-day symposium with the theme: “ Safety of Journalist and The
Challenge of Impunity in Nigeria”, was organized by Trinity
Communications, Publishers of Safety and Security Watch magazine.
In his keynote address, Emma Agu decried the incessant invasion of
media houses by security agents, stating that it dents the image of
any government involved. He, however, expressed dismay at the failure
of successive governments to make killers of journalists feel the
weight of the law. His words: “ How come killers of journalists have
not been found. Sometimes we think it is government . It may be true,
but government must convince us that they are not behind the
killing.’’

The veteran journalist identified a fiercely independent judiciary as
the greatest safeguard against impunity, calling on journalists to
free the judiciary from the shackles of the executive.
Speaking at the event,the President of the Nigerian Guild of
EdItors, Mrs Funke Egbemode, charged Journalists to enforce their
rights to create an environment for the safety of Journalists
across the country .

Egbemode expressed dissatisfaction that
Journalists are endangered species who are killed, jailed and
manhandled for carrying out their legitimate duties. Represented at
the event by the General Secretary of NGE, Victoria Ibanga, Egbemode
also harped on the need for self-examination among journalists,
adding that it is important for journalists to shun unethical
practices.

On his part, Gbemiga Bamidele, Assistant National Secretary of the
Nigeria Union of Journalists , says safety should also include the
welfare of journalists. “ When people are not paid for 22 months.I
don’t know how safe that person is. Safety must include good condition
of service. When people compare us with foreign journalists , it’s as
if they are better than us,’’ he said.

According to the representative of the DG of UNESCO at the event, Mr
Olusola Macaulay, seven journalists were killed between 2006 and
2016 , and nothing has been done to either arrest or punish the
killers till date.

Ladesope Ladelokun