Dave Umahi, AriseTV, Rufai Oseni, The Narrative Of Not Being A Journalist

OsazuwaAkonedo

Dave Umahi, AriseTV, Rufai Oseni, The Narrative Of Not Being A Journalist https://osazuwaakonedo.news/dave-umahi-arisetv-rufai-oseni-the-narrative-of-not-being-a-journalist/ #Columns #AriseTV #Journalism #Oseni #Rufai #Umahi ©October 12th, 2025 ®October 12, 2025 6:06 pm Whenever controversies surround Rufai Oseni, the outspoken and fearless broadcaster on Arise Television, one recurring argument often resurfaces in public discourse — the claim that “Rufai Oseni is not a journalist", critics are quick to emphasize that he lacks a formal academic background in journalism, having originally trained in animal anatomy, but beyond the semantics of qualification, a deeper question emerges: What truly defines a journalist, and what are the core functions of journalism in society? #OsazuwaAkonedo

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00:00Whenever controversies surround Rufayasani, the outspoken and fearless broadcaster on Arise television,

00:07one recurring argument often resurfaces in public discourse, the claim that Rufayasani is not a journalist.

00:14Critics are quick to emphasize that he lacks a formal academic background in journalism,

00:19having originally trained in animal anatomy, but beyond the semantics of qualification,

00:24a deeper question emerges. What truly defines a journalist, and what are the core functions of journalism in society?

00:32As mass communication teacher, we teach students from the very first class that the media exists to inform,

00:38educate, entertain, and preserve cultural heritage.

00:43Journalists also play the crucial roles of agenda-setting and acting as watchdogs,

00:48holding public officials accountable and amplifying the voices of the governed.

00:51The media's capacity to shape national conversations is immense.

00:56By highlighting specific issues and giving them prominence,

01:00journalists help raise awareness and influence public perception.

01:04It is through such agenda-setting functions that societies engage in dialogue, debate, and reform,

01:11thereby playing participatory role in the process of governance.

01:15When examined through this functional lens,

01:17it becomes clear that Rufayasani has consistently fulfilled these journalistic responsibilities over the years.

01:25His incisive questioning, fearless commentary, and commitment to public accountability

01:30have made him one of the most recognizable broadcast personalities in contemporary Nigerian media.

01:36A notable example is his now-famous exchange with the Minister of Works,

01:41Engineer Dave Umahi, on Arise Television.

01:44Before that encounter, few Nigerians had publicly interrogated the cost per kilometer of road construction projects

01:51executed by government agencies.

01:54While the minister initially dismissed Rufayas' question as,

01:58elementary, the issue soon gained traction nationally.

02:01In fact, subsequent clarifications by Umahi, and even a public response by Oyo State Governor,

02:09Sayemar Kinde demonstrated that Assani's line of questioning had forced an important accountability conversation into the mainstream.

02:17Through this singular act, Rufay did what the media are mandated to do,

02:22hold power accountable, enlighten the public, and stimulate civic engagement.

02:26It is true that a formal qualification, such as a diploma or degree in journalism,

02:32is generally considered a prerequisite for professional practice.

02:36Yet, history tells a different story about the Nigerian press.

02:41Many of the country's most celebrated media pioneers,

02:45from Herbert Macaulay to Ernest Akali, Namdi Azikiwe, and Obafemi Awaloo,

02:50were not trained journalists in the academic sense.

02:53Nevertheless, through passion, intellect, and experience,

02:58they became towering figures in the nation's journalistic landscape.

03:02In the decades that followed, major Nigerian newspapers like The Guardian,

03:07The Punch, The Tribune, and the defunct National Concord

03:10were edited by professionals whose backgrounds spanned literature,

03:14political science, law, and the humanities, not necessarily journalism.

03:19What mattered was their adherence to journalistic ethics and commitment to truth.

03:25Today, journalism is evolving faster than ever.

03:28The rise of social and digital media has democratized information dissemination,

03:33giving birth to citizen journalism,

03:35a space where individuals, regardless of academic background,

03:39can contribute meaningfully to public discourse.

03:42The boundaries of professional journalism have expanded,

03:46now encompassing voices trained in diverse disciplines

03:49but committed to the principles of truth, balance, and fairness.

03:54In this context, Rufayasani's two decades of consistent broadcast experience,

03:59his engagement with media ethics,

04:01and his pursuit of professional development courses,

04:05all reinforce his credibility.

04:07His work reflects a mastery of journalism's essence,

04:10even if his educational roots lie elsewhere.

04:14The debate over Rufayasani's academic background may continue,

04:18but it misses the more profound point.

04:20Journalism is as much a calling as it is a profession.

04:24It demands curiosity, courage, critical thinking,

04:27and an unwavering commitment to public interest.

04:31By these measures, Rufayasani has proven himself a journalist,

04:35not by certificate, but by conviction and consistent service to society.

04:40Writer, Issa Abdulaziz,

04:43Mass Communication Lecturer,

04:44Federal Polytechnic,

04:46Ouchie.

04:48Minister, I would like to interject.

04:50This monologue is quite long.

04:51So, at first, Minister,

04:53after you had gone to report me in front of President Sinubo

04:56and said all sorts,

04:57anyway, I am not beholden to you.

04:59My job is accountability to you.

05:00You are too small for me to report you to the President.

05:02No, but they are empirical...

05:03You are too small for me to...

05:04Minister, Minister, let me speak.

05:07Who are you for me to report you?

05:08Minister, Minister, let me speak.

05:10I have empirical evidence.

05:12The world watched it on the commission of the project

05:14where you mentioned the questions I asked you to the President.

05:18That was reporting me to the President officially.

05:20The world watches,

05:21so you don't need to delete that all about the empirical facts.

05:24I don't talk without facts, Minister.

05:25You know, when I have my facts, I talk.

05:27And I insist on my question when I ask on calls.

05:29Let me...

05:30Minister, you will not allow me to speak.

05:34The problem is you will not allow me to speak.

05:36You spoke for over 20 minutes, over 10 minutes.

05:38Because you don't know what you are speaking.

05:40But let me speak.

05:41Let me speak.

05:42You will not allow me to speak.

05:45You see?

05:45If you can just keep quiet and be calm

05:47and just allow me to speak,

05:49I will be happy.

05:50All right?

05:50So, my question still persists

05:53as regards the cost per kilometer.

05:54You cannot tell me

05:55that we don't have a right to know the cost per kilometer.

05:58Even if it's an undulating landscape.

06:00Give us all the facts and the details of the cost per kilometer.

06:03That's all we'll ask for.

06:04Other questions as regards the loans taken.

06:08Let me finish.

06:09No, no, no.

06:09I will keep quiet for you to damage me for the show.

06:11Let me finish.

06:12Listen to me.

06:12Minister, you will not allow me to speak.

06:14The Minister will not allow me to speak.

06:16No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.

06:17Don't do that with me.

06:18Minister, you will not allow me to speak.

06:20I was in your studio.

06:21Minister, I will not allow you to speak.

06:22And when the first session was on,

06:24and I ran the figures.

06:26And what you are asking us

06:27is 750 kilometers of coastal highway.

06:31We should tell you cost per kilometer.

06:32So, you multiply by 750.

06:34That's not Sissica.

06:36No, sir, tell me the cost per kilometer.

06:37There's nothing too hard for you to tell me that figure.

06:39You've not still told me that figure.

06:40So, I was right on that point.

06:42The second point...

06:42Because you don't...

06:43Because you don't understand anything.

06:45The second point I'm trying to make is this.

06:46You don't understand anything.

06:47I'm a professor in this field.

06:49You don't understand anything.

06:51What university gave you professorship in this field?

06:53And you cannot ask me to tell you a cost.

06:55What university gave you professorship in engineering?

06:57I didn't know you were Professor Omayi, minister.

06:59I didn't know.

07:01So, please...

07:02I'm a professor in practice.

07:06In practice.

07:06I'm a professor in practice.

07:07Okay.

07:07I'm understanding engineering very well.

07:09So, secondly...

07:10And you have no knowledge of what to ask you.

07:12If you will let me...

07:12You have no knowledge.

07:13If you will let me ask you.

07:14So, you keep quiet.

07:16Okay.

07:16And then stop, you know...

07:18Okay.

07:18Minister, it's all right.

07:20Keep dignifying yourself.

07:21And let the world see you for who you are.

07:22If you will allow me to speak, the other 100 kilometers that you said you've added to it,

07:29I would like to know the cost per kilometer of that one.

07:32And the Winsome Homes, the case is in court.

07:36Now, I would like to know the cost per kilometer for that one.

07:38I would like to also know the over 700 billion first tranche of loan you guys got for this project.

07:44Has the money been spent?

07:45How was the money deployed?

07:47I would also like to know...

07:48I would also like to know the times of that loan.

07:51All right?

07:52How many years?

07:53What's the payback period?

07:54What's the payback return of that loan?

07:56And for the Winsome Homes, isn't it interesting that as somebody that has been a governor in the

08:01state, you know the law, a case is in court, and then you're coming to talk about the

08:05details of the cases in court.

08:07Because you denied that the case was not in court, now you've already accepted that the

08:11case is in court.

08:11So, it's not just better you thrash it out with the woman that has been reporting her

08:16case in public that we all heard, and I ask you questions based on that.

08:20So, Minister, just answer the questions.

08:22I've got no axe to grind with you.

08:24You know that.

08:24We've spoken many times.

08:26In fact, when your people call to book, I booked them, and I said you should come on air.

08:30So, please, just tell us those information.

08:32It's very important, Minister.

08:43I'm not hearing, even though this guy is, it's not.

08:46We are the first-year-old.

08:47We are the first-year-old.

08:48We are the first-year-old.

08:49We are the first-year-old.

08:50We are the first-year-old.

08:51We are the first-year-old.

08:52We are the first-year-old.

08:53We are the first-year-old.

08:54We are the first-year-old.

08:55We are the first-year-old.

08:56We are the first-year-old.

08:57We are the first-year-old.

08:58We are the first-year-old.

08:59We are the first-year-old.

09:00We are the first-year-old.

09:01We are the first-year-old.

09:02We are the first-year-old.

09:03We are the first-year-old.

09:04We are the first-year-old.

09:05We are the first-year-old.

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