Posted by From Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja on
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr said yesterday that members of the British Parliament who alleged that Nigerian Police demanded for gratification on their entry into the country lied.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mr Frank Nweke Jnr said yesterday that members of the British Parliament who alleged that Nigerian Police demanded for gratification on their entry into the country lied.
Speaking at the on-going All Nigerian Editors Conference, he said the British parliamentarians were economical with the truth and wondered the connection between police and the nation's "Where in the ports do you have policemen. Is it possible that members of the parliament were visiting and members of the National Assembly were not aware to organise a welcome party for them. Is it also possible that the British High Commission is not aware of their visit to make the necessary arrangement for them?" he posed.
He said the lawmakers were angered by the fact that the Nigerian Customs had to subject their luggages to a thourough search.
"They did not believe that Nigeria Customs will do their job and should not search their bags but even as a minister of Information, I have had dogs sniff at me and my luggages at their airports. If British Customs will do their duties, Nigerian Customs will equally do so', he said, noting that when he met the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, he (High Commissioner) apologised but it was belated as there was no way the information would change in the ears of those who heard it.
On the conference, he said the journalism profession had fallen into disrepute when compared to the exploits of the founding fathers of journalism in Nigeria notably the fisrt President Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe among others noting that a friuitful partnership existed between the leadership and the media as against the endled anti-establishment position of the madia today.
While commending Journalists for their heroic deeds especially during the military era, he for the routing of bad eggs that give the profession a bad name.
Eearlier Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, former President of the Guild of Editors and chiarman of the occassion called for adherence to the ethics of the profession and the need to address other issues relating to welfare among others.