The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has commended the DAILY NIGERIAN reporter, Umar Audu, over his recent undercover report, which exposed how university degrees are obtained without merit.
Following the reactions that greeted the report, the federal government on January 2 announced the suspension of evaluation and accreditation of degree certificates from Benin and Togo Republics.
Speaking during a meeting with the reporter in Abuja on Wednesday, Mr Idris commended the journalist for exhibiting professionalism and due diligence in his investigative report.
“The work of a journalist is not to sit in his comfort zone and receive news to publish. A journalist is required to go to the field and source for news. And if he receives a scoop or allegations, he is duty-bound to go and investigate to confirm the truth or otherwise of the allegations.
“So he has done what is required of him as a journalist, even though some people are lamenting that he violated the law by participating in the NYSC twice. But I don’t see any wrong with that.
“We have learned a big lesson, and as a result of this investigation, the federal government has announced some drastic measures to prevent reoccurrence; that is to say, the investigation has yielded a positive impact.
“As a professional journalist myself, I really commend him. What we require from journalists is truth, not mischief and sensationalism. We don’t want lies and baseless allegations.
“If your investigation is to correct the wrongs in society, we don’t have a problem with that, and I will encourage journalists to carry out this kind of investigation,” Mr Idris said.
While challenging journalists to focus on stories of national development, Mr Idris urged media owners to prioritise staff welfare and training.
