I did have high regards for a certain national daily a lot, but, right now, I do not know what to think. I think that whoever wrote that piece against the Honourable Minister of Youth & Sport Development, Solomon Dalung, has sacrificed professionalism for personal, non-professional vendetta.I dont know whether the newspaper has something personal against Dalung or not, but I have watched the unfolding drama of their vendetta with consternation, shame and embarrassment.This gravitated to a new height when the newspaper pictured the minister on the back page of its edition of Thursday, August 11, 2016, standing with a tray on the queue waiting for food and criticised him for it, labeling the action a national embarrassment.The Nigerian media has always been critical of our leaders, public officials, including ministers, but for reasons like violating or being disrespectful of traffic lights; or for assuming the status of demi-gods and living false lifestyles, or even being unrealistic. We are the people crucifying our leaders for adopting lifestyles that are not consistent with their peers in the civilised world, yet, this paper labelled a simple action like waiting on the queue for food by a minister a national embarrassment. I find this ridiculous and worrisome.First, it is ridiculous, because journalists pride themselves as the Fourth Realm of the state; meaning [that] they have joint responsibility for nation-building with the government, because they do not only influence public opinion, they shape it. So, I expected national daily to see something noble and honourable in the Ministers action and encourage Nigerians to emulate. Sadly, they did not.I wonder whether this is a mere case of mischief or absolute delusion or professional incompetence but I expected more depth from this paper. It is shameful that a newspaper of so much repute will commit so much energy and resources, not in supporting worthy developmental causes through its corporate social responsibility, but in trying to discredit an individual to the point of monitoring a basic everyday-life activity like waiting for food. Thats downright petty.Secondly, it is worrisome, because of the realisation that national dailys position and perception of the Ministers action reveals an inner lack of knowledge, maturity, professionalism and even patriotism and, with this kind of attitude, I weep for Nigeria and ask, what change are we crying for, then'The simple fact that this highly regarded daily has concluded that it is no longer normal for government officials to be normal and live simple lives portends a clear and present danger for the country. Its continued existence or the elements within it with this viewpoint, may hinder the attainment of the change we so desire, because they will continue to churn out poisonous publications that will shape an anti-establishment mind-set among their readers.I believe the people in other climes who would read the papers critique of the minister will similarly find it absurd and wonder where the newspapers sense of value has gone. To these people, what the minister has done is perfectly normal and we need to encourage our leaders to behave in similar manner in Nigeria.We have seen the media publishing pictures of Tony Blair in public trains, the mayor of London at a bus-stop waiting for bus and other top public figures carrying their bags at airports. If the Newspaper has not allowed its personal issues with the minister to becloud its better judgment for corporate objectivity and sense of responsibility, why then is Dalungs action a national embarrassment'Perhaps, it is just a curious case of deliberate mischief and professional delusion by this national daily; a joke taken too far, to say the least. Danmallam is the special assistant to the Honorable Minister, Youth & Sports Development, Solomon Dalung.
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