The Wole Soyinka Centre for
Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) has clarified the reasons behind the
postponement of the integrity award Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was
shortlisted for.
In a statement on Tuesday, the
centre said it was wrong in its use of language that suggested the award was
postponed to protest the ill-treatment of Omoyele Sowore, convener of the
“Revolution Now” movement.
Motunrayo Alaka, WSCIJ executive
director, had earlier said the postponement was “to align with protests against
the repression of freedom of speech in recent times especially the incident
between the Department of State Security (DSS) and Omoleye Sowore, Publisher of
Sahara Reporters, on Friday 6 December.”
Osinbajo subsequently released a
copy of a letter he said he wrote to the centre, excusing himself from the
programme.
He had said he could not attend
because of his absence from the country, and because it would be insensitive to
the plight of Sowore.
In its reaction, WSCIJ said the
difference in the use of language was caused by an in-house communication gap.
The statement read: “We were
wrong and the Vice-President is right. WSCIJ accepts the statement from the
Vice President’s Office as the true position on its intended award to the Vice
President, Yemi Osinbajo.
“An in-house communication gap
caused the difference in the use of language and we accept responsibility for
this.
“The WSCIJ stands by its
intention to award the Vice President the Integrity Specialty of its
Anti-Corruption Defender Award.”
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