According to a report by The Guardian Nigeria on Saturday, October 25, 2025, former Edo State governor and current Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, has expressed concern over the growing trend of negativity in the Nigerian media.
Speaking at the 2nd Raymond Aleogho Dokpesi Diamond Lecture in Abuja, Oshiomhole lamented that many Nigerians, especially those in media spaces, often portray the country in a bad light, as though nothing positive happens within its borders.
“These days, I watch television and I see a Nigerian media station saying Nigeria has happened to you because something negative happened to someone,” Oshiomhole said. “If anything, there are fairly many Nigerians portraying us as the worst, as if nothing good happened in this country.”
The senator made the remarks while paying tribute to the late media mogul Chief Raymond Dokpesi, praising him for using his influence to strengthen democracy during critical moments—particularly when former President Olusegun Obasanjo allegedly sought a third term in office.
According to Oshiomhole, Dokpesi’s decision to give lawmakers opposing the third-term agenda access to his media platforms—without demanding payment—was a bold act of patriotism that helped safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
He noted that Dokpesi’s legacy was built on responsible journalism that enlightened and united Nigerians, unlike the current wave of sensationalism that focuses solely on the country’s flaws.
Oshiomhole urged today’s media practitioners to emulate Dokpesi’s developmental approach to communication, emphasizing that constructive and balanced reporting remains crucial for national progress.
The lecture, organized by DAAR Communications in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), brought together top figures from politics, media, and academia to reflect on the role of communication in promoting democracy and national unity.
Oshiomhole concluded by saying Dokpesi’s legacy should inspire future journalists to use their platforms not for division or despair but to promote integrity, courage, and the collective good of the nation.
Those dreams where you keep writing exams or returning to school aren’t random — they carry a message. Many don’t realize it until they read this. See, More, Here>>>
Leave a Reply