ASHENEWS reports that NEXTER Media Ltd has disowned a self-proclaimed journalist, Fodio Ahmed, who falsely claimed to have joined the investigative media organization.
In a scathing disclaimer, the newspaper condemned Ahmed’s attempt to impersonate as a NEXTER employee while using the platform to attack Aisha Wakaso, Special Adviser to Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago on Print Media.
The controversy stemmed from an online article titled “Bidding Farewell to Freelancing: Hello NEXTER! An Open Letter to Aisha Wakaso.”
In the piece, Ahmed not only falsely declared his employment with NEXTER but also used the opportunity to settle personal scores with Wakaso. The publication noted that Ahmed went as far as plagiarizing parts of its mission and vision statements in a desperate bid to legitimize his claims.
Describing him as an impostor, NEXTER made it clear that Ahmed was neither hired nor would ever be considered for employment.
“As you bid ‘farewell to freelancing,’ you may have to look elsewhere because NEXTER cannot be your NEXT port of call for blackmail journalism,” the statement read.
The organization further challenged Ahmed to produce an employment letter or identity card if he indeed had any affiliation with them.
Reiterating its commitment to ethical journalism, NEXTER emphasized that it operates within the principles of fairness, balance, and accountability as outlined by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Journalism Code of Conduct.
The organization condemned what it described as “irresponsible journalism and jaundiced reporting” in Ahmed’s article, warning that it would take legal action if he continued to parade himself as one of its staff.
NEXTER assured the public of its dedication to responsible journalism and vowed to uphold the highest standards of integrity, distancing itself from the “dim-witted postulations” of Ahmed.
