The much anticipated Channels Forum on rebuilding the police college has been postponed to enhance the participation of all stakeholders involved in the revamping of this 70 year old institution.
The General Manager Operations (GMO) of Channels Television, Kayode Akintemi on Channels TV breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily on Tuesday explained that the postponement was in order to ensure the involvement of every stakeholder that is essential in the rebuilding of the police academy.
“We have had an unforeseen circumstance that has led to a situation where the management of Channels Television has to be very responsible in the way they handle things.” stated Mr Akintemi.
The Police Project is geared to rebuild the police academy and it is planned to involve stakeholders such as Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian government, the Civil Society and Channels Television along with corporate Nigeria.
All of these stakeholders must be carried along for a definite grasp of what is needed to be done, he clarified.
Reacting to online insinuations that the television station has been pressurised by the federal government, Channels TV GMO affirmed that the station was not in any way bowing to pressure from authority to refrain the programme.
Mr Akintemi asserted that “Channels TV cannot be intimidated. We cannot be cowed.”
“We have a duty and responsibility to Nigerians, we have ethical standards that we work to and that’s why we are the first Nigerian television to have won the press prize for TV station of the year seven times.”
He further explained that “this is a CSR programme….as far as journalism is concerned, we have adequately done our bit by exposing the rot in the police academy and we can hands off once the President, the police or military are ready to do whatever they want to do. We have done our bit.”
He noted that some fundamental issues affect the capacity of our security officials and “that is why Channels TV has chosen to focus on the training of the police officials. We want to take it a step further as our CSR and we cannot shave somebody’s head in their absence” therefore “we just have to carry the police along.”
Mr Akintemi also denied that the event has been cancelled indefinitely, saying “the event is postponed to get things in order.” “We are looking at having it as soon as possible” adding that “we will soon get it reconvened and the event will hold in the coming weeks.”
He also made it clear that the station’s editorial judgement is not compromised, “changing the date has absolutely nothing with our editorial judgement.”
We will continue to sensitise Nigerians on this issue to sustain the interest of corporate Nigeria and Nigerians as a whole to find a solution to this problem.
A new date for the Channels Forum will soon be announced.
