Osinbajo, Fashola are two people to watch out for in our political life- Former Channels TV anchorman, Suleiman Aledeh

Erstwhile Channels Television anchorman, Suleiman Aledeh in this interview with THEWILL,  spoke on diverse issues ranging from his university days; sojourn into broadcasting, NYSC experience, and of course, why he left Channels TV for Arise TV Network.

Aledeh talks about his new workplace – Arise TV, and airs his opinion on salient national and international issues. He raised an interesting poser about the whistle blower policy of the Federal Government, and even reveals the political office he would want to occupy. Happy reading…

What attracted you to Arise TV after leaving Channels?

Arise is a news network, Arise news network is basically known for news, analysis, information, entertainment from the African perspective, we are taking charge of that now because we just realize that there is a lacuna of the African perspective in the media, broadcast media space, so that is what Arise is doing. At the moment we have colleagues all over…because we have offices and studios in the US, UK and in Nigeria. As we speak I have my colleagues from outside Nigeria in Nigeria; some are in Abuja, some are here (Lagos), for instance Judita Dasilver who is my co- anchor on the morning show is here, Dan warren, Matt and couple of others are here and what we are doing is to start off a revolution that will sort of quench the thirst of not only Nigeria but Africans and many across the world. The ownership is not in the hands of a novice. The Duke, that’s Nduka Obiagbena has been there, still very much around, though this talk is not about him, but I must however, mention that his editorial prowess is really impacting on the programme and we are trying as much as possible to give every sector of our national life and the continental life a front page coverage.

Time was when entertainment can only be seen or heard on weekends or at night, but here you get to see entertainment on a daily basis, lifestyle entertainment on the morning show, you know that is a breath of fresh air in the midst of hard stories, politics, strives, whether it’s terror attack, Syria, whatever it is you still come back to talk about the fun loving things and we also look at entrepreneurial skills of individuals in and outside Nigeria, young persons who are skilled at what they do we showcase them, and, my brother, that to me is mind blowing that is noble because we try as much as not to copy and don’t forget that sometimes when people leave the way I left there is also this fear about trade secrets no, I don’t think where I am coming from you will get to see any of their plans here, you know and that is it, you need to respect them for what they had, just as we will love people to respect us on what we are doing, and in so short a time it might also interest you that Arise News Network is already making a mark, the awareness is coming and we haven’t launched yet.

Would you say your present platform gives you the opportunity to explore your inner self, which you couldn’t do in Channels?

I am so watching myself, which is the truth. I have a lot I know I can do, you know, one of it has been discovered here, it was only recently the Duke said ‘common I think this news, I just realize that you are news person you can do this, you can do that’ and we start working on something in that regard, which is to me awesome, just the way he also discusses something about Juditha her prowess on entertainment and lifestyle, don’t forget she has also covered the Grammy and the Oscars, so everyone is falling into their own space where they can really give their all, to me it’s an evolution so I won’t be quick to say yes, so its evolving for me and I am watching carefully to see how it evolves and I am liking it so far.

With the little you have seen in Arise, how do you compare that with your Channels experience?

No, I wouldn’t want to compare with Channels and I wouldn’t want to compare anything with Arise.

Did you just embraced Arise TV because you were sad at Channels and wanted to leave?

No. It’s because it’s a news station, if it’s a news station I can easily fit in, it’s a news station with an extra, the extra is what we have just highlighted…looking at it from the continent and African perspective and also looking at it from the perspective of all sectors, you know coming on board on the same platform on the same time, so if we say this is David’s show, we have it all on David’s show and we have different personalities, you know we have Charles Aniagolu and we have different people and all their personalities are been brought  to bear. I will tell you something, broadcasting has gone beyond when you run shows without the personalities, personalities must drive shows, you know, shows must be built around personalities. Anyone who is not doing that for now should quickly think of doing it, because it’s the in thing, don’t be carried away or think you that you are making the personality.  I don’t ever compare stations. I have to respect every station for what they have or churn out, what they are in the space because that’s no mean feat to be in the business and in all of this it’s been healthy among all media owners, you are not going to see them fight, I don’t think you have seen that, you are in the media, I don’t think you have seen anybody fight, there is this camaraderie amongst them and I think we who work with them should carry the spirit amongst ourselves.

What do you make of the apparent Executive-Legislature faceoff in the country?

Now you are taking this interview to something that I like to keep my opinion unknown to what I have here on Arise you know, I know, but anyway but I think the legislators and hmmm…I think they are confusing all of us.

Do you think the deadly Meningitis outbreak in parts of the country is a punishment from God?

What are you saying? Are you saying that my mother and my father wasted money in taking me to school? I’m asking you?

But that was what a Governor was reported as saying?

I think that will stay for a long while, it is still trending and I’m happy that my daughter hasn’t asked me that question. You know they make it difficult for parents, some politicians make it very difficult for parents to answer some questions when they ask you like: dad is it true, how do you tell them that someone who is older than their father hasn’t been truthful about something, you know or all the monies that they have been discovering in different homes, how do you make your children to know that is not the way to live life. It’s quite difficult, it’s an arduous task.

Do you think the whistle-blower policy is paying off?

It’s paying off, but there is the down side of it, you know it’s paying off and now you get to see so many things happening and you know many things happening, but there is something I wrote because the downside of it is that, bankers, they have all turned whistle blowers, oh people are saying it’s fantastic, yes it’s fantastic, but what then happens to the client-banker privacy privileges which is about to be abused, if it has not been abused already. You know I recall then Apple, now we are talking about Apple, they refused to unlock an iPhone for the Department of Homeland Security despite treat by FBI, homeland security the police you name it. So the Nigeria banks and bankers, they must understand that there is what we call client-banker confidentiality which is sacred regardless of any treat from EFCC or the Central bank until we know that, they shouldn’t be destroying institutions.

Back to the homes that we have seen monies, in the first place don’t be bad, when I say don’t be bad, don’t be a bad guy, don’t be corrupt, I’m using words my children understand best every other thing, everything just put one word and you will qualify them, the bad guys. So it’s good when you say the bad guys, everything about people who do that, if they are guilty, really they are the bad guys, so don’t be a bad guy, its only when you are not a bad guy before we can now start talking about treating your staff and people would work with you with respect, because even though that some of these people are bad guys if they were good to some of these people I don’t think they will even blow whistle on them.

It was only last year we heard that one of them, the house help took about six million dollars and the car of the person and drove through the Cotonu border and out of the country and since then everyone thought it was a lie until now people are getting to discover more money and more money and those names are just flying everywhere, so let’s hope that Nigeria becomes a better place for us all, as journalists we are so trying to be open and be objective and watch. As I did say the whistle blowing policy is good and also bad.

PDP leadership crisis; Sheriff, Makarfi what do you make of that?

That is their headache.

No sympathy for them?

I don’t have sympathy for politicians. Even tomorrow, if I could get into politics I don’t want anyone to have sympathy for me.

Are you saying that you getting into politics in the future?

I never said so, I said even if I get into politics.

But would you be willing to take political appointment?

Political appointment? I have had something close to that which I did not go for.

Maybe spokesman to the President?

No, Mr. President? No way.

Maybe not this president maybe some other one?

No, no to president, I have seen fantastic people who have actually not been respected after they leave that position; I might be your spokesperson okay? But on the Presidential level, men, I’d rather be a Governor.

You’d rather be a spokesman to a governor or you rather be a governor yourself?

I will rather be a Governor myself….

(Cuts in) Or maybe a university lecturer like your wife?

Oh, my wife is the book person, maybe someday, yes, I like to also impart knowledge but for now, it’s my wife’s space. You know then, we used to argue when I get home she would be like ‘what you guys did on air today was rubbish’ and I’ll be like ‘no way’, you know, she would tell me it’s what she was correcting her students about and seeing us doing same thing and all that but trust me, I no go gree (laughs). So maybe, maybe not; I really can’t say for now but I remember her inviting me to her class one time, like years ago to talk with some of her students in UNILAG. I did it, I kinda liked it.

Let’s return to the earlier question, we’ve have in the recent past had presidential spokespersons like Rueben Abati, Segun Adeniyi, do you think their reputation waned of their stewardship?

I respect all of them, these are fantastic people, now you understand my pain, now people don’t get to respect them because they have a thing or two to do with the government, and it’s a shame. In fact recently people were talking about Abati and Big Brother Africa.

I was coming to that…

Hey, common, he has his license let him talk. But I still think if anyone is against him they should also go against him in an academic way and they know he was a bit of you know, you know how he writes, he can be cynical and he can be funny sometimes he put a bit of comedy, he puts a bit of cynicism in his writings and plenty of sense, so I still love this people and I’m hoping, I think these names you called out, I think they still stand as some of the best presidential spokespersons we have had.

What of Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu?

They are still working when they are out, we can now access them.

You made mention of Big Brother, did you follow the show?

I have never watched it, so people don’t take me to the cleaners; I have never watched it even while I was growing up. I had a friend, Godwin. He used to record the episodes on VHS cassette, he knows I have never watched it and I am so sorry it’s not because, it’s a personal thing I don’t want to watch it. I think it’s good for business, everybody likes it if you like something I won’t criticize you for what you like, so I still think we should respect those people who like it, who loved it, those people who follow it and those people who partook in it, well done, but me I have never watched it .

What did you think of it being shot in South Africa?

No, I think that was wrong. But now we are talking about South Africa the tax and the monies and there are so many people who would have been able to get engaged by the organizers, but we’ve taking everything to a place and don’t also forget they don’t do that to us. I think it’s time for Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama (Foreign Affairs minister) and his team to start looking in that directions as well as, people should respect Nigeria for who we are and what we do, we are not in war, so many things could as well happen here, we have seen stations, television, radio, empires and business everything been run on generator, diesels 24/7, we are not saying that we have the best of power situation, but taking that thing out was the height of it all, to me that wasn’t a Nigeria programme, it was already a South Africa programme, we can as well seat down people the way we watch television in the comfort of our home.

What’s your thought on the demolition of the riverine community area, Otodo-Gbame, by Lagos state government despite of a reported court order?

I’m happy you said reported because I have not even seen it. I don’t even know if it exists truly. You know, we live in times where we see a lot of reports from court; everyone flashes a document saying this is from the court.

Don’t you think the new Lagos should have a human face; do we really have to demolish those sites?

If the Governor, who is a fantastic guy and is working, you know if he will relocate these people I think that is good, but if you pull them out on the street or water as the case may be, you know that is really not too good, I hope they look in that direction and really rehabilitate these people get them a place. All over the world, people like that should be rehabilitated and Lagos has always been a hospitable place, we shouldn’t wake up and see that it is otherwise, it is really painful to see what is happening there but some lawyers have taken it up and they will take the conversation and Lagos also has the best lawyer, let’s wait and see how that unfolds.

Granted that APC has been in power for just about two years with PDP being there for 16 years, how would you want to assess Buhari?

I think you want me to join politics now that is why you keep asking me all of these; maybe, maybe I should go into politics. Should I? What do you think; should I?

I will vote for you (laughs)…

(Laughs) All the same, I think PDP, APC, you know sometimes you think they are on course, some other times when you feel the pang, you are like ‘oh God what is this,’ but I think to some extent, there is a semblance to what we see in PDP, So we are hoping but the only difference is this renewed fight against corruption which some people will also say it’s not that fantastic, and are not excited that EFCC is not doing a fantastic job. ‘How do you know that they are not doing a fantastic job,’ they are losing cases, but those people who are winning the cases will ask ‘are you stupid, are you saying that we should have lost the case, what do you mean by EFCC are not doing a fantastic job,’ so let them continue do what they are doing, they should up their game, they should pass the budget, they should make life cool for the people in the country, there is hardly no one who is going to pick up his/her phone and not see a text message of someone asking for money, I am broke, I’m sure you are broke, a lot of people are broke things are rough and tough, they say, you know after darkness comes the light, we are hoping that people will live to see the light, that is why they must act very fast and see what kind of good will come out of their policies.

If anyone is not working you know at the speed of what is expected, the person should be shown the way to where the chair is and get someone else on board. We need ministers, we need agency heads that will work and will really drag the policy of the government and don’t forget that the made in Nigeria policy of the government which the Senate President is spear heading is already taking off really well, we have so many Nigerians who are really enterprising youths, you know fixing and manufacturing this here, now that, that its coming from the Senate President now the government also, that is the Executive is also keying into all of that, I think they should form an alliance and see how they can help this people, go out there on the street find a way of recognizing some of these people who can help us, let whatever CBN is going to do in there, their own policies help this people in the manufacturing industry, help these people in the small entrepreneurial things that they’re doing, let the BOI (Bank of Industry) be more open and far reaching to this people, I think we can survive if we see all of that move at the speed, that lot of Nigerians will love to see happened.

Who is your best guy in government today?

My best guy in government, I have two people in government you know in government. The Vice President, oh my God, he is a fantastic man, sparkling clean in what he does, and result-oriented person, give him a day and you have result and I think that is a man to watch out for in our political life.

Then I have Babtunde Fashola, yea I knew when you were talking about light, a lot of people will still think that, hey common, he has three in one and so far, you must have seen that the housing policy of the government is taking shape, because I go through all of those movement and I see that many state, and I think the last time he was in Ekiti state and we had him here on Arise and he was the first person we had on our programme on Sunday when we started the morning show, and I asked him, you went to an opposition state and things are working there how are you coping, because once upon a time lot of people in opposition state wouldn’t want to go into other state to fix things especially if the government at the centre is different from the state government and what I’m seeing is that there are working with the state government so long as they provide the land, then you know the housing policy is taking shape, and many roads, I have been doing quite a few trip lately and if you check from Lagos to Benin, especially from part of Ondo to Benin, now it is coming to Ogun state and couple of places and the Lagos Ibadan express way is being fixed and for the fact that they didn’t mess up with the contractors who were brought in by President Jonathan, I think it’s a good thing that is how government should work, not because you are coming in you will fire all the contractors these contractors were not sacked its good and we can see the result. For the power sector which is one thing, for the fact that I say he is my man, that doesn’t mean I won’t be able to say he should do more than enough, so I am hoping to see them do enough and so that there should be light.

Suleiman, leave a message for Nigerians?

You are turning me into a politician! ‘Leave a message to Nigerians,’ like now I’m seeing myself like I’m in the podium, like fellow Nigerians (laughs)… (Gets serious and emotional) Its hard really, it’s hard and I say it with all sense of feeling the pain as well, it’s really hard, if you are not feeling it you must have cousins and people who are feeling it, let’s soldier on, let’s try not to get to the limit, let’s look out for each other, let’s not wait until we stop seeing the person, we’ve seen a few suicide cases, lets reach out if you can help the person a word, you know don’t ignore calls from the people you know if you can’t pick calls get anything you can get a word or a text or a line to the person, let’s be more humane and more humans, if we do all of that it will help us, let’s live like a community, a communal life has always been the life of Africans. I think that is how we can pull together as a people in the event of maybe a government that wouldn’t want to act fast or that is slow in acting or that will ultimately deliver the deliverables.

Let’s just talk about international affairs, what’s your view about Trump bombing Syria?

I think that the issue that is happening in Syria, I hope will not ultimately scatter the friendship and alliance of President Trump and President Putin, we are waiting to see how that pans out, because now we getting to hear Russians and Assad say that the chemical attack wasn’t from them kind of and perhaps maybe it’s any kind of heat or chemical, I don’t know, but let’s see how it goes. But he (Trump) is shifting away from his core policy of America first, we thought he was going to look into America and America alone and everything that concerns America, now unconsciously he is gradually moving towards the way of every other United States president – outside, dominance, see what we can do there and see what we can show- but I think it could be some kind of spontaneous action, because anyone who sees the footage of these children dying even gasping, it’s something if you have your way you will want to move your arsenal and fight, but I think the world is not ready for fight, we have more than enough refugee crisis in our hands and in North-East of Nigeria, Borno state alone, we have about 1.8 million displaced persons, that is a record displaced people, so we are hoping that all of these and not also forgetting that there is also the fear of maybe famine, I think that we should also let this people talking about famine know for the record, usually they put famine in Nigeria, it’s not famine in Nigeria it’s a small place is Nigeria not even the entire north, not the entire country, so that small place let’s see how we can handle it and help the people on and stay  board.

Source: THEWILL