Dabiri-Erewa Replies Livinus Victor, Urges Journalism Veterans to Restore Professionalism, Ethics and Dignity
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has called on veteran journalists and media professionals to work together to restore professionalism, ethical standards and public confidence in Nigeria’s journalism practice.
Dabiri-Erewa’s position was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by NiDCOM’s Director of Media, Public Relations and Protocols, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, who said the commission’s chief executive acknowledged concerns raised by Mr. Livinus Chibuike Victor about declining professional standards in the media industry.
While acknowledging the concerns, Dabiri-Erewa described Victor’s demand for an apology as misplaced, arguing that the more urgent priority should be addressing the erosion of professional standards within the journalism profession.
She recalled her time in the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2015, when she chaired the House Committee on Media and championed the introduction of the Journalism Enhancement Bill in 2010. The proposed legislation, she explained, was intended to establish standards that would strengthen the profession.
According to her, journalism lacked the formal entry requirements and professional certification associated with fields such as medicine, law and accountancy, making it possible for individuals without appropriate training or certification to claim professional status.
She regretted that the proposed reform encountered resistance from people who, in her view, should have supported the initiative, adding that the consequences of failing to establish stronger professional standards were increasingly evident.
Dabiri-Erewa urged Victor to redirect his efforts towards collaborating with experienced journalists to address the challenges confronting the profession, rather than pursuing an apology she said would not resolve the underlying issues.
She also acknowledged the role journalism played in shaping her career, recalling the training and mentorship she received from lecturers in the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos.
Expressing her willingness to work with Victor and other concerned professionals, she said she would be glad to join efforts aimed at confronting the challenges he had highlighted.
The NiDCOM chief executive further called on the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the Guild of Editors, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and other media stakeholders to take proactive steps to protect the integrity and dignity of journalism.
She stressed that professional bodies and industry leaders must not remain passive while standards decline, urging collective action to promote ethical conduct, responsible reporting and professionalism across the media landscape.
