Fatwa on Trumpeta; Do We Clap For Okorocha’s Media Aide, Sam Onwuemedo ( Reloaded) Part 1
“A proud man is always looking down on things and people and of course, as long as you are looking down you cannot see something that is above you”
C.S Lewis.
With the above quote which aptly fits into the character traits of the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Imo State, Sam Onwuemeodo, I may have to plead for the understanding of readers to offer a response to his latest rejoinder which further exposes the media aide’s morbid hate for Trumpeta newspaper and its publishers.
I find it repulsive engaging in brickbats, especially in the public. But considering Onwuemeodo’s continued show of poor media relations management skills, including his belligerent disposition to newsmen in the State, my ink has to flow once again towards his direction.
Following an outrageous Fatwa, the first of its kind in the media industry in Imo State, placed on Trumpeta, a newspaper medium I co-own with two partners and function as an editorial contributor, by the irascible Onwuemeodo, I came up to condemn the atrocious outburst in my earlier commentary which came up last week.
In his usual display of paranoia, judging from the contents of the vapid rejoinder, Onwuemeodo not only went into self glorification but also showcased extreme dosage of psychotic disorder by way of trying to equate his status to that of a demigod in print journalism.
However, after taking time for the first time to go through his work because the name, Kelechi Mejuobi, repeatedly appeared, I wasn’t surprised by his excessive display of pride and arrogance, a sign post of one suffering from “adult delinquency”. I could not only laugh at his gobbledygook but also considered an adequate feedback to his wishy-washy remarks.
Either the spirit of God has no doubt abandoned Onwuemeodo who takes joy in relishing Bible verses in his column not to consider what Proverbs 27:2 says, “let someone else praise you and your own mouth; an outsider and not your own lips” or his mischievous nature has affected his interest in Bible studies as a pentecostal to avoid an advisory note in the Book of Galatians where office holders are admonished to “test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone without comparing themselves to someone else”
Onwuemeodo entered the Guinness Book of Records in the media practice in the state, when he publicly asked officials of the state government he is serving not to patronize Trumpeta, banned not less six independent newspapers from entering Government House, Owerri, and be part of regular interactive sessions with the governor, as well as the supervision of the restrictions placed on three state correspondents of the national dailies, Chidi Nkwopara, Amby Uneze, and Chidiebube Okeoma of the Vanguard, Thisday and Punch Newspapers respectively. His reason cannot be divorced from the simple fact that both Trumpeta and others mentioned have not been operating within the dictates of his directives and that of his paymasters. Therefore, they should lose patronage from government appointees. The governor’s media aide went further to proudly claim that he should be held responsible in the case of Trumpeta’s Sanctions.
In my reaction published last week, I attributed his power hubris to media misfit mechanism and went further to recall that part of his trademark since he assumed duties in Okorocha’s office is adoption of fascist style in conducting affairs of media relations manager, without a reminder that the CPS position won’t be his portion forever. I went further to resurrect some anti press freedom methods, Onwuemedo had in the past rehearsed, which, he said the military junta employed in silencing the media.
My earlier reaction didn’t end without adding that no medium, except his Whitepaper depends on government for patronages even as I further added that what could be from his paymasters in form of patronage cannot be better than a Zimbabwean dollar because holding political appointment in Okorocha’s government is not lucrative to make one a spendthrift.
Apparently irked by my reaction, Onwuemedo in his popular X-ray column of Whitepaper, raked back in ferocious manner that further exposed his schizophrenic tendencies. Instead of clearing the air on cogent and verifiable issues I raised, the governor’s spokesman fought tirelessly, though in vain, to convince his readers that he is miles or poles ahead of us as if life is all about a competition. Still wallowing in grandeur of delusion, Onwuemedo easily forgot that there is no “competition in life” to warrant the comparison encapsulated in his response. I will remind him that a popular local music gaining prominence in Igboland and beyond has as the central theme; “OVERTAKE IS ALLOWED” The fact that he started journalism practice before Methuselah and Abraham, practiced in CNN, Reuters, BBC etc and got appointed as Chief Press Secretary, CPS to a governor after holding or offered juicy and several positions of appointment in the past, do not earn him the tag of Mr Right or Mr Perfect as he always claims. And it wouldn’t also be an avenue to deride others because “TOMORROW IS PREGNANT”
I don’t think the subject of concern leading to this exchange is about “Who is Sam Onwuemedo”,” or his overflowing hyperbolic sense of self importance against Trumpeta publishers as a barometer for comparism. No, it is about his statement and actions against the newspaper’s editorial staff each time an outing of the newspaper on the streets do not favour his administration. The management of Trumpeta is only asking Onwuemedo to let the tabloid be and allow it function as an unbiased medium undertaking the role of a watchdog of the society.
Now let me go down to tissues of absurdities raised by Onwuemedo in his insipid write up. I am pleased with him to recognize that my partner Gerry Ogu, is the most experienced among the Trumpeta publishers. Onwuemedo’s shock that Ogu has been available and allowed the editorial style is a mere decoy to cover up his face after using uncouth words to address the Avuvu-Ikeduru Chieftaincy title holder, in one nasty piece he authored last year. A responsible Ogu considered the age long ties he had with Onwuemedo no to give him a reply. Therefore, Ogu’s calmness remains his shock. And if Ogu as his contemporary is the Managing Editor, how has he exploited the avenue to engage in reaproachment with the medium if he is not a half baked media management expert always adopting pugnacious approach against colleagues in the field? Part of the tactical finesse expected from a media aide is to exploit all fronts and opportunities to mend fences with perceived “enemy” media outlets. Narcissim has beclouded his sense of reasoning to engage in abnormality.
In the said rejoinder, Onwuemedo went further to accuse the publishers of Trumpeta of fighting vendetta. And one may be tempted to ask “Vendetta” for who or what? The publishers are the least beneficiaries of the immediate past administration of Ikedi Ohakim, compared to Okorocha’s present and past commissioners and aides who had dined, wined and relate with the former governor.
Okorocha’s Commissioner, Nnamdi Obiareri, aide, Steve Asimobi, former advisers Kelechi Okpaleke, Rex Anunobi, late Samfo Nwankwo , Isiala Mbano kinsmen, Simeon Iwunze and Tony Black Nduka etc were all Ohakim’s men and held vintage position 2007-2011. And if those group who had plum positions in that administration could work with the present government he is serving, doesn’t it not amount to skewed reasoning for Onwuemedo to attribute Trumpeta’s editorial style to vendetta.
Maybe Okorocha had Onwuemedo in mind when he redefined Iberiberism and asked for its inclusion into the English dictionary as a way of life. If not, how would he accuse Trumpeta style as vengeance mission when he stopped the newspaper alongside others like Newspoint, Watchdog, Frontline Express, Hard Truth and The Moment, including the State Correspondents of Thisday ( Amby Uneze), Chidi Nkwopara ( Vanguard) and Chidebube Okeoma ( Punch) from attending Okorocha’s intermittent briefings in Govt House, Owerri. Did the aforementioned mediums or names serve in the Ohakim government, for Onwuemedo to accuse them of Vendetta Mission?
In the last briefing Okorocha had with journalists few weeks ago, the governor while responding to a request of pardon asked by the chairman of the Correspondent’s Chapel of Imo NUJ, Steve Uzoechi of Telegraph, further explained the reason for ban on Thisday and Vanguards correspondents in the state, and of course, Trumpeta, other than vendetta mission. If Onwuemedo knows his onions, he would have waded into the matter to amicably resolve the differences between his colleagues on the other side and his paymaster as the middleman? Instead, Onwuemeodo continues to fan the ambers of discord so that he will be seen as a “Superstar” without a rival.
Before now, Trumpeta has neither complained nor bothered about patronage from any quarter. Since August 26, 2011 the newspaper hit the newsstands in grand style with the madien edition, it has not looked back or failed to respond to the desire of readers within its reach. There is no gain saying the fact that its presence on the newsstands has been a source of worry to Onwuemedo and his pay masters who are averse to responsible journalism and the truth about the true affairs of the state. There is hardly any media interactive session his paymaster, Okorocha will organize with the home press without Trumpeta oozing out repeatedly from his mouth as if the newspaper is the subject of discussion. Reason, is because the medium gives an unbiased account of the governor’s perceived misrule in the state. The outrageous Fatwa is part of the failed attempts to silence the medium after it had severally petitioned security agencies to arrest and prosecute the publishers for unjust reasons. Nobody has come to attack Trumpeta or speak ill of it except for Onwuemedo and his band of fascists perpetrators who do not tolerate an independent minded media in the state. We are not unmindful of subtle plans by Onwuemedo through overt and covert means to eliminate our lives. Onwuemedo should know that even as one is not afraid of death, he will be held responsible for whatever ugly incident that happens to Trumpeta publishers.
As usual and expected of him, Onwuemedo in his response derailed with a scathing remark about my personality when he tried to refer me to an Ohaji amoeba. I wouldn’t know the reasons behind the choice of amoeba word, but if the meaning should be reckoned with what it symbolizes, the pint size Onwuemedo best fits into a description of amoeba. Amoeba is a biological term to describe the unicellular protozoa; a small organ. And am aware the governor’s media aide escaped inches from becoming a liliput and within spitting distances to a dwarf compared to my 6ft inch height and appreciable body frame. He is nowhere near feather or lightweight because his amoebic stature can’t be categorized. So it is a case of BACK TO SENDER. With his miniature size, nature cheated on him. His size won’t allow him go for any military, police or para military recruitment, but I can.
I am proud to be an Ohaji man. Since he wants us to go down to Roforofo style, I will tell him that an Ohaji man is far better than Onwuemedo and his lineage who can’t trace their roots by parading a genealogy surrounded in mystery. Species like Onwuemedo are not expected to open up in Igboland and talk wide because history of his ancestry speaks volume of habitual restless settlers. I am not surprised that the original Mbaise people continue to doubt his origin and birth right from their area. Even one of his kinsmen, an Uncle in paid public write up took time to issue a disclaimer on his personality, wondering how his blood became part of the Onwuemedos. I have deep respect for his Aronta Mbutu Mbaise people, but it is a high time they call him to order to shut up his mouth and refrain from mocking people. In view of his Aronta origin, Onwuemedo may need additional information and lectures from historians and specialists on Igbo origin and cultures to give him further narration and archeological findings about his chequered background. An Ohaji person is well placed than a bloody migrant without a homestead and lack traces of grandparents roots. In next edition, though, I am not a race jingoist, but I will tell Onwuemedo more of what he doesn’t know about his Aronta origin.
I remain a proud Ohaji person and that is why after experiencing the ingratitude the administration he is serving has visited on my people and indeed the entire Ohaji/Egbema LGA, there is urgent clamour from all for me to join the race for the Imo State House of Assembly, as their incoming representative.
I won’t also blame Onwuemedo for highlighting the Ohaji issue because youths of the area have been converted into their political thuggery machinery and undertakers of shoddy deals in exchange for modern day imperialism going on in the LGA, perpetuated by his neo-colonialist paymasters.
Ohaji is an area blessed with natural endowment. Apart from being the food basket of the state, Ohaji till date, along- side the sister Oguta LGA, puts Imo State in the map of oil producing area. This natural endowment attracted additional funds to the state purse in terms of Oil Derivation, but unfortunately, the government Onwuemedo is serving, hasn’t done anything to justify the huge amount the LGA fetches for the state and that could be the reason why he would mock the people.
If the previous administrations mildly denied the people of Ohaji/Egbema their rights and entitlements arising from its oil producing area status, the administration of Onwuemedo’s pay masters remain the worst as the people are witnessing disgustful open day denial of basic amenities. Today’s commentary is not about the predicament of Ohaji/Egbema in Okorocha’s hands but it is pertinent to note that they people have been openly raped without protective measures and also suffered infections not limited to abject poverty, deprivation and abandonment.
Worthy to note that despite becoming the bird that lays the Golden Egg in the state, the reward his co-conspirators in the modern day scramble for Ohaji/Egbema resources is the mobilization of a section of hunger stricken youths of the area for mobilisation in clearing street traders on Owerri streets, attacking perceived political enemies and agents of bulldozers engaging in ceaseless demolitions. By next edition, I will discuss more of Ohaji’s predicament under his “slave drivers”.
Remarkably, Onwuemedo while avoiding a response to the amount offered during my time as Chief Press Secretary, eight years ago, and now he is in charge, falsely claimed Ohakim paid a million naira for a page advert. I told him it was N100,000 instead of the paltry sum of N30,000 he offers. To confirm my claims he didn’t dispute the fact but went ahead to say it was a bogus N1m.
According to him in the rejoinder “the policy then was share the money, but Rochas is working and cannot afford such luxury” For Onwuemedo, the “working” and “cannot afford such luxury” is a mere subterfuge meant to propagate familiocracy in governance, as resources are controlled by one family under “My Family, My Family” mantra, where a whopping sum of N600m will be used for a fantasy like the longest Christmas tree in Africa, that will only last for two weeks. And the “Rochas is Working” remains the starvation of the people through flagrant abuse of court processes to destroy their means of livelihood, reduction and non- payment of workers’ salaries, non- payment of pensions in place for White Elephant projects like the worthless Akachi Tower, ICAPs building, 27 empty General Hospitals occupied by reptiles, deceitful Free Education that allows for payment of “ancillary fees”, abandonment of economic viable establishments like Adapalm, Shoe Industry, Avutu Poultry and Nsu Clay Industry for consistent demolition of existing structures in the name of Urban Renewal and construction of China Roads in few places across the state.
For lack of space, I continue next week.
