0:00
Whenever controversies surround Rufi,
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the outspoken and fearless broadcaster
0:05
on Arise television, one recurring
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argument often resurfaces in public
0:10
discourse. The claim that Rufi is not a
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journalist, critics are quick to
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emphasize that he lacks a formal
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academic background in journalism,
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having originally trained in animal
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anatomy. But beyond the semantics of
0:23
qualification, a deeper question
0:25
emerges. What truly defines a
0:27
journalist? And what are the core
0:29
functions of journalism in society? As
0:32
mass communication teacher, we teach
0:34
students from the very first class that
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the media exists to inform, educate,
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entertain, and preserve cultural
0:41
heritage. Journalists also play the
0:44
crucial roles of agenda setting and
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acting as watchd dogs, holding public
0:48
officials accountable and amplifying the
0:50
voices of the government. The media's
0:53
capacity to shape national conversations
0:55
is immense. By highlighting specific
0:58
issues and giving them prominence,
1:00
journalists help raise awareness and
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influence public perception. It is
1:04
through such agenda setting functions
1:06
that societies engage in dialogue,
1:09
debate and reform, thereby playing
1:11
participatory role in the process of
1:14
governance. When examined through this
1:16
functional lens, it becomes clear that
1:18
Rufi has consistently fulfilled these
1:21
journalistic responsibilities over the
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years. His incisive questioning,
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fearless commentary, and commitment to
1:29
public accountability have made him one
1:31
of the most recognizable broadcast
1:33
personalities in contemporary Nigerian
1:35
media. A notable example is his now
1:38
famous exchange with the Minister of
1:40
Works, Engineer Dave Yumi, on Arise
1:43
Television. Before that encounter, few
1:46
Nigerians had publicly interrogated the
1:49
cost per kilometer of road construction
1:51
projects executed by government
1:54
While the minister initially dismissed
1:56
Rufi's question as elementary, the issue
1:59
soon gained traction nationally. In
2:02
fact, subsequent clarifications by Yumi
2:05
and even a public response by Oyo State
2:08
Governor Sei Marinde demonstrated that
2:10
Aseni's line of questioning had forced
2:13
an important accountability conversation
2:15
into the mainstream. Through this
2:17
singular act, Rufi did what the media
2:20
are mandated to do. Hold power
2:22
accountable, enlighten the public, and
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stimulate civic engagement. It is true
2:28
that a formal qualification such as a
2:30
diploma or degree in journalism is
2:33
generally considered a prerequisite for
2:34
professional practice. Yet, history
2:38
tells a different story about the
2:39
Nigerian press. Many of the country's
2:42
most celebrated media pioneers from
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Herbert McCauley to Ernest Aoli Nambia
2:48
Ziki way and Omi Awaloa
