By Warefa Pereke.
July 10, 2025.
Warri, Delta State – Marking its fourth anniversary today, July 10, 2025, the Congress newspaper hosted a crowd of dignitaries . The keynote address delivered by Ekanpou Enewaredideke at the TM Hotel, Airport Road, centered on the importance of journalists to operate free from external corrupting influences, particularly in its critical role of fostering robust institutions, good governance, and accountability.
Enewaredideke, a poetic writer, speaker and publisher, passionately articulated that the journalistic endeavor must never be “animated by sympathy, brown envelope, and financial inducements.” He emphasized that this practice needs a fundamental shift, saying, “This has to change if we must build strong institutions to activate good governance and accountability.” His words resonate deeply in a society where the integrity of information is paramount to democratic health and progress.
The essence of Enewaredideke’s message is loud and clear: when journalistic practice is swayed by emotional bias, clandestine payments, or monetary incentives, it fundamentally betrays its core purpose. The press, ideally a relentless watchdog against corruption and a crucial conduit of truth, will transform into a compromised instrument, incapable of effectively scrutinizing power or informing the public.
For any nation to genuinely progress, transparency and accountability must be woven into the fabric of its governance. This can only be achieved if the media, remains unbought and unafraid. A compromised media landscape allows misconduct to flourish in the shadows, unchecked by public scrutiny.
Ekanpou Enewaredideke’s call to action is an important reminder of the solemn responsibility vested in journalists. Their commitment must lie solely with truth and public interest, unshaken by the allure of personal gain or the sway of subjective sentiment. Only then can journalism fulfill its transformative potential, becoming a genuine catalyst for a society where good governance and accountability are not mere aspirations, but ingrained realities.