It appears that by predestination, two Nigerians, both of them reputable journalists, former editors of national titles, former managing directors, and even former presidents of the influential Nigerian Guild of Editors were brought together to work for President Muhammad Buhari as media managers.
As tasking as their jobs are, they have so far demonstrated zeal, commitment and loyalty to each other, Mr President and Nigeria as a country. Both men have running in their veins, love for fellow men and this unquenchable love has translated into what many consider a dedicated service to Nigeria, as the spokesmen of the President and Commander-in-Chief.
While their allegiance to the nation and the President remain doubtless, yet as in all human affairs some persons with what is usually described in Nigeria as “bad belle” , sometimes attempt to drive a wedge between them, their jobs and even with their principal. That is how far they can go – an attempt – for in truth they have become an admirable duo in a country where schism exists even among kiths and kin.
Garba Shehu as Director of Media and Publicity Committee of the APC Presidential Campaign did the unimaginable to organize men, and manage scarce resources. His mass communication expertise and media goodwill came handy in handling rather intricate issues that arose almost hourly during the campaigns. His consistency and tenacity in promoting and defending then candidate Buhari can be described as unassailable. Indeed it has been said in some quarters that Buhari’s media campaign was fashioned after that of Barrack Obama in 2008.
Femi Adesina, a consummate player in the media industry, and then Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Nigeria’s leading tabloid, The Sun did not withhold his scholarly ability in supporting candidate Buhari. As a Nostradamus who saw tomorrow, he believed in the ability of Buhari to rescue our nation from abuse and maladministration.
For one, I have never ceased to admire these two gentlemen for their genteel nature and devotion to worthy causes. They represent a quintessential harmonious relationship that ought to exist between the two colleagues and transcend myopic meddlesomeness that is sometimes laced with ethnocentric tendencies, as we saw recently in an online publication by some unknown quantities.
It behoves these two accomplished individuals to stay the course and continue their good work in the service of our fatherland.
For us to successfully build a nation where equity and justice reign supreme, we must at all times remain objective in assessing public officials. When we do so, the resultant effect is we get the best from them, as far as service to fatherland is concerned. Our ability to appreciate the sacrifices being made by public officials will greatly encourage qualified Nigerians to serve their fatherland.
In this era of “change”, we must be gracious enough to support the various programmes being rolled out by the President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration. These programmes when fully implemented will obviously unleash developmental strides in all sectors unimaginable.
Mallam Garba Shehu and Mr Femi Adesina are well positioned to disseminate the laudable programmes of the Buhari administration to Nigerians and non-Nigerians alike.
There is no gainsaying that the style and approach of the senior presidential aides like Garba Shehu and Femi Adesina to their responsibilities contribute in no small measure in charting a cause for the nation’s development. So far, it is comforting to all and sundry they bond well together, and we cannot wish for more. With the disposition of the duo to serving their fatherland, one cannot help but be amazed at their humility, competence at work and ability to relate with fellow men without airs around them.
Equally, their willingness to render assistance to people from all walks of life is legendary and commendable. To cap it all, President Buhari is considered lucky in many quarters for having a formidable team in Adesina and Shehu, who are not only discernible on issues of the moment, but are able to deliver accurate messages to the Nigerian people.
It is instructive that since both men assumed office, they have left no one in doubt about their total commitment and capacity to deliver the good; hence messages emanating from The Presidency have been clear and unambiguous. For the first time Nigerians are able to understand with clarity the direction the administration is going at any point in time. The ability of these two gentlemen to deliver the President’s message promptly, and in most cases crystallize them in opinion articles is unprecedented in the history of information management.
Therefore, we must learn to give credit to those that deserve it. While Mr President is concentrating in formulating policies and charting the political and economic direction of the country, it behoves Nigerians, especially the media to lend a helping hand by encouraging friendship and synergy among top government functionaries, rather than exploiting the fault lines in order to achieve sinister objectives.
Democracy as a system of government can only succeed in an environment where ideas are shared through various mass communication channels. Predictably, as experts, the duo of Adesina and Shehu has given a good account of themselves by enlightening Nigerians regularly on the activities of government. That is not to say that they are perfect for like every human being the have their own shortcomings. True, they are paid for the job they do, but their connection to the people’s emotional attachment to the affairs of state sets them apart.
Our experience with previous administrations’ spokespersons have been that of lacklustre attitude which does not in any way promote the two-way communication between the government and the governed. Perhaps, this open, transparent and dependable communication strategy adopted by Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu reflect the candour and sense of purpose which President Muhammadu Buhari has brought to governance. Little wonder, his administration continues to savour the goodwill of most Nigerians, as he steers the ship of state.
While there is room for improvement in terms of communicating government policies to Nigerians, as this is an ongoing venture, but in the meantime we owe them our support for opening and sustaining a new vista channel of communication between the government and the people. Agreed that the government owes it as a duty to carry the people along in the affairs of the state, yet as citizens we have an obligation to reciprocate the gesture.
. Enekwechi, journalist and politician, writes from Abuja and can be reached at kwechis19@yahoo.com.
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