By Ibe Pascal
The term propaganda rings melodramatic and exaggerated, but a press that—whether from fear, careerism, or conviction—uncritically recites false government claims and reports them as fact, or treats elected officials with a reverence reserved for royalty, cannot be accurately described as engaged in any other function.
How do you react when your own government lies to you systematically about crucial national matters?
Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu’s mouthpiece, is a top media executive over the years. He previously served as presidential senior special adviser on public affairs to President Muhammadu Buhari. He was also senior reporter and presenter at Africa Independent Television (AIT) and Channels Television.
Should I termed it as Eye Service at this early months of Bola Tinubu administration ?
The Overzealousness of Ajuri Ngelale in just four months of Bola Tinubu administration is becoming perturbing and worrisome.
The unnecessary and unprovoked lies being told by Ngelale are quite harebrained and unbelievable especially in critical national issues.
Nigerians cannot afford to have another Lai Mohammed who has not in the past eight years of Buhari tenure, left anybody in doubt as to why he was appointed. His job is to feed Nigerians with ceaseless lies to the point of stupefaction. The idea is to leave Nigerians in a permanent state of confusion so much so that the line between truth and falsehood will be blurred.
On September 12, Ajuri Ngelale made a press statement which claimed the UAE authorities reversed visa Ban on Nigeria. According to him, Ngelale said the pact resulted in the immediate lifting of a visa ban imposed by the UAE in October 2022, after President Bola Tinubu and United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met.
Few days after, the United Arab Emirates contradicted claims by the Nigerian government that it is to lift a year-long visa ban on travellers from Nigeria.
An official from the Gulf state told CNN: “There are no changes on the Nigeria/UAE travel status so far.”
According to CNN, the source asked not to be named because he is not authorized to speak to the media.
Also, few days ago Ajuri Ngelale claimed president Tinubu was First Ever African Leader To Ring Closing Bell at NASDAQ .
However, contrary to the claim, the former President of Tanzania, Kikwete, First Ladies and Health Ministers rang the closing bell of NASDAQ in 2011, as announced by NASDAQ in a notification to the public dated 2011 with the title, “President Kikwete of Tanzania, First Ladies and Health Ministers, and Global Health Leaders to Ring The NASDAQ Stock Market Closing Bell.’
It said, “Global Health Leaders will announce Global Health Commitments for Women’s Health and Women’s Cancers at the NASDAQ MarketSite in New York City’s Times Square.
“NASDAQ MarketSite – 4 Times Square – 43rd & Broadway – Broadcast Studio . When: Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 – 3:45 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.”
NYSE and NASDAQ are the first and second largest stock exchanges in the world both located in New York.
It is not only too untimely for the falsity and dishonesty of Ajuri Ngelale on national matters but threatening to ridicule Nigeria’s image in the community.
The nation is on the verge of anything at the moment. Nigerians and Nigerian deserve a better administration.
Ibe Pascal, a journalist and writer, writes from Owerri, Imo State.
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