Again, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, and Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni have clashed.
Umahi has accused Oseni of repeatedly disseminating false information to the public.
Umahi made the allegation on Thursday during a media briefing in Abuja, where he emphasized the need for journalists and public office holders to verify facts before releasing information.
He expressed displeasure with a morning broadcast on Arise News, faulting the anchor for what he described as a pattern of presenting unverified and misleading claims. According to the minister, such conduct unfairly damages reputations and misinforms the public.
Umahi specifically referenced a report suggesting he failed to respond to a question concerning Mikano. He insisted that he addressed the issue during the interview, clarifying that he was unaware of any link between Mikano and InfoWest and noting that InfoWest is executing projects in the Southeast, including a third legacy project in Ebonyi State.
The minister said the claim that he avoided the question was inaccurate and harmful to the image of the Ministry of Works, urging the media outlet to review the footage and issue corrections where necessary.
“It is very important that when we have the opportunity as leaders and as journalists of this country, we make verification before we dish false information to the public.
“I wasn’t happy with Arise News this morning because of the number of things they said, and Rufai is too fond of doing that.
“You cannot serve the public with venom and a mind that is already made up. If you are damaging my reputation, I must speak out.
“First you said that they asked me a question about Mikano, and I didn’t answer it. I want them to go back and check the clips because of what they said about Mikano.
“And that’s when I said I’m not aware that Mikano has anything to do with InfoWest and that InfoWest is doing work also in the Southeast, in fact, in Ebonyi State for the third legacy project.
“But they said that I didn’t answer the question, and that’s very annoying and damaging to the reputation of the Ministry of Works.
“That’s not good because you should find out whether I answered the question or not. But you dished to the public that I didn’t question. I answered the question, and it will be good for them to correct themselves.”
The Nigerian Newssphere recalls that Umahi and Oseni had earlier clashed about the cost of the Lagos-Calabar road project.
