By Hajara Usman
For the first time in the history of media-security outfit relation, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, has been honoured by the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria.
On the other hand, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, and two governors have also been listed in its Book of Infamy.
The governors are Mohammed Bago of Niger State and Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom state famed for their attacks on media freedom.
The Book of Infamy was unveiled by Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday at the second annual conference of IPI Nigeria, held at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja.
Applause has since trailed the DG’s award. He was described as a listening head of a sensitive government agency who intervened and heeded IPI’s request each time there was infringement on the rights of journalists and conversely would correct the infractions.
Top on the list of such was the removal from the government’s watchlist of the Executive Director of the International Press Centre, Lanre Arogundade, after 40 years.
Ajayi was also credited with the quick release of journalists wrongly arrested by the secret police.
Responding to the position of the IPI Nigeria, as presented by its President, Musikilu Mojeed, during the unveiling of the Book, Vice President Shettima said he would reach out to all those accused of having breached the rights of journalists.
He invited Mojeed to travel with him to Akwa Ibom State, where he would be visiting soon, to resolve the issue Eno had with Channels TV.
He also promised to reach out to Bago, who he described as his friend, and Egbetokun.
With additional reports by OptimumTimes