Youths in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital on Friday, staged a protest in response to remarks made by Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni during a televised interview with David Umahi, the Minister of Works.
The demonstrators, organized under the banner of Concerned Youths for Distinguished Senator Engineer David Umahi, issued a 24-hour deadline for Oseni to publicly apologize to the minister.
The group, consisting of young activists, condemned the interview as “disrespectful and unprofessional,” insisting that both Arise News and Oseni must offer an apology.
Carrying signs, the protesters accused Oseni of displaying “complete disrespect” towards Umahi during the live broadcast.
They claimed that the presenter’s tone and comments were intended to “embarrass and undermine” the minister, who is also a former governor of Ebonyi State and currently manages important federal infrastructure projects.
Pastor Damian Onu, the group’s leader and organizer of the protest, stated: “We are here today to express our disappointment regarding the way our esteemed leader, Senator David Umahi, was treated on live television.
“Mr. Oseni’s behavior was not only disrespectful but also resembled a media ambush. We demand a full apology within 24 hours.”
Onu referred to Umahi as a “national asset” and “a key figure in advancing President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” highlighting the minister’s achievements in road construction and infrastructure development.
Some of the protesters carried signs that read: “Senator Umahi is skilled and reliable in civil engineering,” “Arise TV and Rufai Oseni must apologize now,” “NBC and BON must address media misconduct,” and “Youths support Umahi: Architect of Nigeria’s road revolution.”
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The group also submitted a petition to the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and the Federal Ministry of Information, calling for regulatory action against Arise News and Oseni for what they described as “a violation of ethical journalism.”
“Journalism should inform and educate, not mock public officials on national television. We support a free press, but professionalism must always be upheld,” Onu emphasized.
Comrade Sunday Agbo, a former coordinator of the Effium Development Centre in Ohaukwu Local Goveenment Area, echoed the sentiments of the group.
“Individuals like Rufai Oseni cannot tarnish the reputation of someone who has significantly contributed to Nigeria’s progress. Senator Umahi is on a national mission,” he remarked.
As of the time of this report, neither Arise News nor Rufai Oseni had responded to the protest or the 24-hour ultimatum.
