Mr Olatunji
Against the backdrop of the abduction and release of its Editor, by men of the Nigerian Army, the management of First Media Network Limited, publishers of FirstNews, has said it would secure an insurance policy for all its editorial staff.
The Editor, Mr Segun Olatunji was on March 15, 2024 forcefully taken away from his Lagos home and made to spend two weeks at a detention facility owned by the Defence Intelligence Agency in Abuja, until his release was secured by the trio of the International Press Institute in Nigeria, the Nigeria Union of Journalists and the Nigeria Guild of Editors on March 29, 2024.
The management said the decision to secure the insurance cover for its editorial staff was reached at an extra ordinary meeting of its board of directors held over the weekend.
FirstNews management in a statement noted that the unjust abduction and detention of its editor, serves as a wake up call for all its employees to be extra vigilant and mindful of their safety as they go about their lawful duties.
It said, “If one of us for no just cause can be whisked away by a critical agency of government and in the process deployed the full power of the state at its disposal to “arrest” an innocent citizen whose only offense was simply doing his job, then it’s imperative to reason that none of us is safe.
”In view of the this sad and dark reality that we no longer feel safe carrying out our lawful duties as members of the fourth estate of the realm, especially considering the stark revelations and painful ordeal of our editor in the hands of his captors, that we decided to take out a life insurance policy on every member of our editorial staff.
“The decision became necessary as it seems the only plausible option available to management to give assurances to our staff and members of their families who are dealing with a siege mentality at the moment that peradventure the same scenario could play itself out.”
Back on the beat, the editor of FirstNews, Segun Olatunji, has said, ” the incident of his unjust abduction by the army will not deter him from pursuing the truth and to continue to expose corruption in high places.”
He gave this indication at a radio interview while appearing as guest of Splash F.M. over the weekend to narrate his ordeal.
He said “the incident rather than cowering him has further strengthened his resolve to pursue and report the truth in line with the tenets and ethics of the journalism profession and went on to thank all those who fought and pushed for his release.
“I remain fearless and committed to my profession. I have been in this for years, and so rather than being deterred, it has strengthened my resolve to continue to use my pen to do justice to certain ills in our country. My gratitude goes out to all those who took part in facilitating my release. It is victory for journalism and democracy.”
