The media does not only exist for information dissemination but also to drive the change process in the society especially in a deformed one like ours and, it is worrisome that we have fewer platforms that do this more often.

The Kano Governor, Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje is currently enmeshed in a bribery allegation. He was filmed taking bribes from a contractor in a foreign denomination in his office. The video released by Daily Nigerian an online newspaper company is now in its sixth episode – going to fifteen.

The Kano House of Assembly initially commissioned an ad-hoc committee to look into this but it wasn’t forthcoming as they have suspended the inquiry owing to a court order.

While Nigerians are outraged as to the seemingly uninterested disposition of anti-graft agencies in the country to look into this issue, the New Telegraph newspapers last week awarded Ganduje the Governor of the year award under the Health and Education category.

The award which has drawn condemnations from Nigerians on social media is, to say the least, an error that should not have been committed by the media. While Ganduje is still innocent until proven guilty, it is totally out of place for such award to have been conferred on him at the moment when he is yet to clear himself as regards the bribery videos whose genuity have been certified.

The media which New Telegraph represents is expected to be above board and further drive the change process and not culpable of celebrating individuals that have failed the public integrity test.

In saner climes, New Telegraph would have stripped him of such award before the award day to show their displeasure about the Gandujegate but this is Nigeria where everything goes.

tosin adesina