Is Russia Immune to Media Scrutiny in Africa?

•Press freedom, sovereignty and Africa’s refusal to be silence

By Oumarou Sanou

A dangerous precedent is emerging across Africa’s diplomatic and media landscape: the public targeting of individual journalists by foreign missions for simply asking difficult questions. The recent pattern of responses from the Russian Embassy in Nigeria toward African journalists and media platforms raises deeper concerns, not only about geopolitics but also about press freedom, sovereignty, and the dignity of African voices.

Bullying a single African journalist through official diplomatic channels is not merely a disagreement; it is an intolerable affront to free expression. Journalism exists to question power, whether domestic or foreign. When embassies shift from presenting facts to publicly discrediting individuals, the implication is clear: criticism will be punished personally rather than debated professionally. Today it is one journalist; tomorrow it could be an entire media ecosystem.

In recent months, respected outlets, including Premium Times, THISDAY, The Guardian Nigeria, and Leadership Newspaper, have faced unusually harsh diplomatic rebukes after publishing critical analyses. Prominent commentators such as Azu Ishiekwene and Richard Akinnola, as well as Oumarou Sanou, have also been singled out. Instead of counter-evidence, the response has often been personal accusations and insinuations of hidden sponsors. That approach undermines constructive dialogue and erodes trust in diplomatic engagement.

Let us be clear: journalists are human and can make mistakes. Professional reporting welcomes correction. If the facts are incorrect, present evidence, make the data open, and allow readers to judge. Insults, calumny and attempts to destroy professional reputations are not rebuttals; they are attempts to silence scrutiny. No foreign government should expect immunity from questioning on African soil.

Africa’s position in the evolving global order must remain principled and independent. Africans are not invested in the confrontation between Russia and the West; it is not our war. A genuine Pan-African perspective demands equal scrutiny of all external powers. If tomorrow credible evidence emerges that Britain, France, America, China or any other actor is recruiting Africans into foreign conflicts under deceptive pretence, the same criticism must apply. The principle is simple: African lives are not expendable tools in geopolitical struggles.

Reports of African nationals—including Nigerians—fighting and dying thousands of miles away in foreign wars raise serious ethical and security questions. Whether through informal networks, deceptive job offers, or shadow recruitment channels, African citizens are being drawn into conflicts that do not belong to them. Journalists who expose these risks are not attacking any nation; they are protecting their fellow Africans from exploitation and preventable tragedy.

Kenya’s recent stance offers a compelling example. Kenyan authorities publicly condemned the recruitment of their citizens into foreign conflicts and moved to close illegal agencies while seeking diplomatic explanations. That response signals a broader African awakening: governments must prioritise the safety and dignity of their citizens over the sensitivities of powerful partners. Nigeria and other African states would do well to adopt similar vigilance.

Beyond individual cases lies a deeper philosophical question. Neocolonialism today is not defined by flags or territorial control but by influence, dependency and narrative domination. Great powers—East or West—sometimes behave as though African voices must align with their geopolitical agendas. This assumption is unacceptable. Africans have their own interests, challenges and aspirations. We are not puppets in anyone’s strategic theatre.

Respect in diplomacy must be reciprocal. If a foreign embassy publicly attacked a journalist by name inside Moscow, Paris or Washington, would it be considered acceptable conduct? Sovereignty demands mutual respect, not selective outrage. African countries deserve the same diplomatic courtesy that global powers expect at home.

At the same time, African journalism must remain grounded in professionalism and evidence. Responsible reporting strengthens credibility and protects the integrity of public discourse. But professionalism cannot thrive in an atmosphere of intimidation. When journalists are targeted individually, the chilling effect extends far beyond the targeted individual; it discourages others from investigating sensitive issues of public concern.

The response from Africa’s media community must therefore be collective. Silence in the face of intimidation risks normalising it. Journalists, editors and civil society organisations should stand together to defend the right to ask difficult questions without fear of diplomatic retaliation. Protecting a single journalist ultimately concerns protecting the profession and safeguarding the democratic space.

Africa’s future in a multipolar world will depend on its ability to engage all partners while remaining fiercely independent. That independence begins with intellectual sovereignty: the freedom to question everyone and align with no external agenda. Whether criticism targets Russia, Western nations or any other power, the standard must remain consistent: facts over propaganda, dialogue over intimidation, and mutual respect over coercion.

No nation is above scrutiny. No African journalist should be silenced for doing the work that democracy demands.

Oumarou Sanou is a social critic, Pan-African observer and researcher focusing on governance, security, and political transitions in the Sahel. He writes on geopolitics, regional stability, and African leadership dynamics. Contact: sanououmarou386@gmail.com

Is Russia Immune to Media Scrutiny in Africa?

NSCDC Mobilises 4,000 Personnel to Safeguard FCT Area Council Polls

By: Michael Mike

Ahead of the February 21 Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has rolled out extensive security arrangements, assuring voters of protection against intimidation, violence and electoral malpractice.

FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, gave the assurance in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the National Peace Committee, which paid him a courtesy visit to discuss election security preparedness and collaboration.

Odumosu said the Command has concluded strategic briefings and operational planning sessions with divisional officers to ensure watertight security across polling units and vulnerable communities. He disclosed that 4,000 personnel would be deployed throughout the six Area Councils, supported by covert operatives already stationed in identified flashpoints.

He stressed that NSCDC officers have undergone specialised election security training conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), positioning the Corps to respond professionally and decisively to any attempt to disrupt the process.

“Our engagement does not start and end on election day,” Odumosu said. “We are committed to maintaining vigilance before, during and after the polls to ensure that results are declared in an atmosphere free of chaos or violence.”

The Commandant urged residents to participate confidently in the democratic process, assuring them that security agencies are working in synergy to provide a safe and orderly environment. He also cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be recruited by politicians to foment trouble, warning that security operatives would not hesitate to enforce the law against offenders.

Odumosu commended the National Peace Committee for its proactive engagement, describing the visit as timely and reflective of a shared commitment to peaceful elections. He reaffirmed the Command’s readiness to collaborate with civil society organisations, observer groups and other stakeholders to guarantee transparency and public trust in the electoral process.

Speaking earlier, Project Manager of the National Peace Committee, Asabe Ndahi, said the delegation sought to assess the evolving security landscape in the FCT and explore areas of partnership ahead of the elections. She praised the Command’s level of preparedness and expressed confidence in continued cooperation, noting that credible field reports remain critical to the Committee’s peace-building and monitoring efforts.

With security deployments underway and inter-agency coordination strengthened, authorities say all necessary steps are being taken to ensure that voters in the FCT exercise their franchise without fear.

NSCDC Mobilises 4,000 Personnel to Safeguard FCT Area Council Polls

Tonlagha: Forged in the Creeks, Bridging Nigeria to the World

•Quiet Power, Citizen Diplomacy and the Promise of Nigeria

By Jude Obioha

In a country where activism often clashes with national cohesion and where loud voices frequently overshadow steady hands, Matthew Tonlagha represents a rare Nigerian archetype. This bridge builder fights fiercely for his people while working tirelessly for the peace, stability and economic future of Nigeria. His journey from the creeks of the Niger Delta to global engagement is not merely a personal success story. It is a powerful narrative of resilience, citizen diplomacy and quiet nation-building.

Tonlagha’s story begins not with privilege but with adversity. Born into a disciplined military family in Delta State, his early life was marked by profound physical challenges after complications from an ill-administered polio vaccine impaired his mobility. For nearly a decade, he depended on his mother’s strength to attend school and navigate daily life. Social stigma, financial hardship and the early loss of his father could have silenced his ambitions. Instead, these experiences forged in him a deep empathy for the vulnerable and an unyielding commitment to service. His eventual recovery and rise stand today as a testament to resilience; a personal struggle transformed into a lifelong mission for collective empowerment.

From his earliest activism in the Benikrukru community in the Gbaramatu Kingdom of Delta State, Tonlagha distinguished himself not only as a protester but also as an intellectual force behind the Niger Delta emancipation struggle. He confronted exploitation and neglect with courage, yet consistently advocated peaceful engagement, negotiation and constructive dialogue. Like many iconic leaders who understood that lasting change requires both firmness and foresight, he pursued justice for the Niger Delta without undermining Nigeria’s unity. This duality—fighting for regional equity while championing national stability—has defined his leadership philosophy.

His grassroots activism evolved into entrepreneurship and indigenous industrial growth through MATON Engineering Nigeria Limited, a company that has become a major employer and a driver of local capacity development. But Tonlagha’s influence extends far beyond boardrooms. As Vice Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, he emerged as a critical private-sector partner in Nigeria’s oil security architecture. The success of efforts to curb oil theft, protect pipelines and restore production levels has had direct implications for national revenue, economic recovery and investor confidence. In a sector long plagued by instability, his role has been central to fostering sustained economic growth.

Yet perhaps the most compelling aspect of Tonlagha’s legacy is his understated philanthropy. He is a quiet humanitarian who has been funding scholarships, supporting widows and orphans, empowering youth through vocational training, and sustaining free feeding programmes without fanfare. His giving is not performative; it is rooted in lived experience and a belief that dignity must accompany assistance. This approach reflects a leader who remembers the pain of exclusion and seeks to build systems that offer opportunity rather than dependence.

Beyond Nigeria’s borders, Tonlagha has emerged as an informal yet effective citizen diplomat. Through international engagements and policy advocacy, he contributes to shaping Nigeria’s global image, strengthening bilateral conversations and promoting economic diplomacy. In an era when official channels alone cannot capture the full spectrum of global influence, individuals like Tonlagha help bridge gaps by advancing national interests while fostering international goodwill. His work underscores a new model of diplomacy in which private citizens complement formal statecraft, thereby reinforcing Nigeria’s strategic standing on the global stage.

What sets Tonlagha apart is not only the breadth of his engagements but the philosophy underpinning them. He embodies a generation of Nigerian leaders who believe that peace in the Niger Delta is complementary to Nigeria’s prosperity and that local development should align with national progress. His early activism against exploitation, including dramatic acts of defiance that drew attention to neglected communities, gradually evolved into a more nuanced strategy; one that combines dialogue, economic empowerment and security collaboration.

As he marked his golden jubilee in 2026, the outpouring of recognition from community leaders, national figures and global stakeholders revealed a man whose impact has long been felt but rarely publicised. Friends and admirers describe him as a peacemaker, a unifier and a patriot whose influence transcends ethnic and political boundaries. Indeed, his ability to convene diverse actors—from grassroots leaders to international partners—demonstrates a rare gift for consensus-building in a nation often divided by competing interests.

Nigeria’s future will depend not only on official institutions but also on citizens willing to shoulder responsibility beyond personal ambition. Tonlagha’s life offers a compelling blueprint: resilience forged through hardship, advocacy grounded in intellect and peace, economic empowerment anchored in indigenous enterprise, and diplomacy driven by patriotism rather than self-promotion. From the creeks of the Niger Delta to the corridors of international engagement, he has quietly shaped conversations on development, security and national cohesion.

In an age hungry for loud heroes, Tonlagha reminds us that the most enduring influence often operates in silence; building bridges where others see barriers, lifting communities where others see divisions, and proving that one individual, driven by empathy and vision, can help align regional emancipation with national unity. His story is not only a tribute to personal triumph but a reflection of the Nigeria that is possible when courage meets compassion and service meets strategy.

Obioha is the Director of Strategy at the Hope Alive Initiative (HAI), a group dedicated to good governance in Nigeria.

Tonlagha: Forged in the Creeks, Bridging Nigeria to the World