From:Femi Oyelola in Kaduna
The Concerned Northern Forum (CNF) has retracted its previous allegations against the former Governor of Zamfara State and current Minister of State for Defense, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, after its chairman, Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, revealed that the group was misled by opposition sources.
It could be recalled that CNF had urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to look into allegations of financial mismanagement during Matawalle’s tenure as governor.
Speaking at a press conference in Kaduna yesterday, Mohammed admitted that the information presented to him, which led to an earlier press statement calling for an investigation into Matawalle, was politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing the Minister’s reputation.
“I wish to unequivocally state that I was misled by the information presented to me, and the content of the press text was blown out of proportion,” Mohammed stated. “It was a political witch hunt, orchestrated by opposition elements who are envious of Matawalle’s achievements.”
The CNF Chairman went on to highlight the Minister’s accomplishments during his time as the Governor of Zamfara State, including significant strides in security, infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
He particularly commended Matawalle for overseeing the construction of a new airport, initiating road projects, and improving the state’s water system.
“Matawalle served Zamfara State with dedication and success, achieving unprecedented development in sectors such as security, infrastructure, health, economy, and education,” Mohammed added.
He also praised Matawalle’s contributions to security, noting the procurement of over 200 Hilux vehicles and ambulances, as well as the installation of solar-powered streetlights in the state capital, Gusau.
General Manager of the Channels Academy, Kingsley Uranta, highlighted the timeliness of the workshop and how it aligns with the Academy’s mission to strengthen the editorial independence of Nigerian news outlets.
“As media executives face growing pressure from operational and commercial pain points, this workshop offers timely and strategic guidance on how to navigate the challenges,” Uranta noted. “At Channels Academy, we are committed to equipping leaders with the knowledge to safeguard editorial independence and preserve journalistic integrity and survival.”
The U.S. Speaker Program on Journalism Innovation and Sustainable Media Business is the latest example of the U.S. Mission’s longstanding engagement with and support for the Nigerian media. Through our longstanding commitment to press freedom, the U.S. government has trained hundreds of Nigerian journalists on themes from health, national security, and elections to prioritizing truth, investigative journalism, and media ethics.
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