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The Nigerian Guild of Investigative Journalists, NGIJ, has used the 40th anniversary of the assassination of journalism icon, Dele Giwa, to announce a major institutional investment in press freedom and accountability journalism in Nigeria.
The Guild, in a statement jointly signed by its President, Mallam Abdulrahman Aliagan, and Secretary, Rowland Olonishuwa, on Tuesday in Abuja, unveiled plans to establish the Dele Giwa Annual Public Lecture on Investigative Journalism as its maiden public lecture and legacy project.
Business Of Truth: Why Dele Giwa Still Matters To Nigeria’s Democracy And Economy
Dele Giwa, co-founder and pioneer Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch magazine, Nigeria’s first bold news magazine that redefined business and political reporting, was killed by a parcel bomb on October 19, 1986, at his Lagos residence. Four decades after, no one has been held accountable.
NGIJ said Giwa’s murder remains a defining moment in Nigeria’s struggle for press freedom, democratic governance and business accountability.
“Forty years after Dele Giwa was murdered, Nigeria must not allow his sacrifice to fade into history. His life represented the courage to investigate the powerful and defend the public’s right to know,” NGIJ said.
For Abuja Business Reports, Giwa’s legacy is critical: He pioneered a model of journalism that made investigative business reporting bankable, created jobs in media value chain, and forced corporate and public sector accountability – principles that remain central to ease of doing business today.
New Lecture To Drive Media Business, Safety And Accountability
According to NGIJ, the Dele Giwa Annual Public Lecture will be more than remembrance. It will be a business and policy platform bringing together media executives, policymakers, investors in media industry, academics, civil society and development partners to discuss sustainable funding for investigative journalism, press freedom, safety of journalists and democratic accountability.
“We do not want Dele Giwa to be remembered only through anniversary tributes. We want his name to become a permanent institution in advancing investigative journalism in Nigeria,” the Guild declared.
The Guild said the lecture will promote professional independence, courage, accuracy and ethical responsibility, while exploring practical solutions to challenges confronting investigative journalism, including dwindling newsroom revenues, safety risks and shrinking civic space.
NGIJ To FG: Immortalise Dele Giwa With National Journalism Centre In Abuja
In a direct call to the Federal Government, NGIJ urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration to immortalise Dele Giwa by naming a public institution, national journalism centre, media research facility or national monument after him.
“National recognition should extend beyond political leaders and public officeholders to include professionals whose sacrifices have significantly advanced democratic development and the protection of citizens’ rights,” NGIJ stated.
The Guild argued that such immortalisation would not only affirm vital role of journalists in nation-building but also inspire younger generation and signal to investors that Nigeria values transparency and free press as pillars of economic growth.
Justice Must Accompany Remembrance – NGIJ Warns
NGIJ expressed concern that four decades after assassination, circumstances remain unresolved.
“A nation cannot adequately honour a journalist who died in the pursuit of truth while allowing the questions surrounding his murder to remain unanswered. Remembrance must be accompanied by action,” the Guild said.
“A nation cannot allow four decades without accountability to become a symbol of impunity,” it warned.
It called on Federal Government, law enforcement and judicial authorities to renew efforts to review available evidence and pursue credible investigative leads.
“Dele Giwa may have been silenced 40 years ago, but the ideals he represented must never be silenced. His legacy must live on in every journalist who dares to investigate, every report that exposes wrongdoing, every institution held accountable and every citizen empowered by the truth,” NGIJ concluded.
ABUJA BUSINESS REPORTS will provide coverage of the maiden Dele Giwa Annual Public Lecture on Investigative Journalism scheduled to hold in Abuja.
ABUJA BBUSINESS REPORTS NEWSPAPER & MAGAZINE
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