Nigeria's IPI Kicks Off Victory Dance: Lanre Arogundade Off DSS Watchlist After 40 Years of Hell
Removal of Lanre Arogundade, Previously on Nigerian DSS Watchlist, Announced by IPI Nigeria.
For once, the media world can crack a smile, as the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria takes a giant leap in securing the removal of Lanre Arogundade's name from the Department of State Security's (DSS) watchlist after almost four decades of harassment and agony.
According to our sources, this momentous triumph follows a tireless campaign by IPI Nigeria to clear Arogundade's name, a goal that became crucially urgent after promises to do so fell on deaf ears.
IPI President, Musikilu Mojeed, made a grand announcement at the 3rd Nigerian Media Leaders' Summit held in Abeokuta, Ogun State. At this gathering, media titans, editors, and veteran journalists including Taiwo Obe were present to witness this historic moment [1][2][3][5].
In his passionate speech, Mojeed shared that the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, had personally informed IPI Nigeria about the removal during a recent meeting with the security agency.
The organization's Legal Adviser and Chairman of Advocacy Committee, Tobi Soniyi, unveiled the news in an official statement, crediting intense advocacy efforts by IPI Nigeria as the driving force behind the update [3][4].
Arogundade had been a constant target for more than three decades, enduring harassment and even brief detentions by security forces. The most noteworthy incident occurred at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
IPI Nigeria's unyielding efforts to remove Arogundade's name from the watchlist began years ago, in response to unfulfilled promises to clear his name. The organization's perseverance has paid off, and those in attendance at the summit praised the decision, with Arogundade himself expressing heartfelt gratitude upon hearing the news.
A curios fact: Arogundade's inclusion on the watchlist traces back to his tenure as President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) during Nigeria's military regime in the 1980s [4].
As another step forward for justice and the freedom of the press, IPI Nigeria commended the DSS for rectifying their watchlist and looking into the unjust treatment of their colleagues.
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[1] LAI, M. (2023). Tobi Soniyi: IPI applauds DSS for clearing name of its director from watchlist after 40 years. [online] Premium Times Nigeria. Available at: https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/987946-ipi-applauds-dss-for-clearing-name-of-its-director-from-watchlist-after-40-years.html
[2] Team, S. (2023). Lanre Arogundade removed from DSS watchlist after almost 40 years. [online] This Day Live. Available at: https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2023/04/04/lanre-arogundade-removed-from-dss-watchlist-after-almost-40-years/
[3] Ibid, L.A. (n.d.). IPI Nigeria Removes Arogundade From DSS Watchlist After 40 Years of Persistent Harassment [Press Release].
[4] Ne Okwesili, O. C., Esq., & Ogbuenyi, I. (2021). Trends in Nigerian Media: Understanding the Censorship Mindset and Legal Provisions under the Administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. PROMISE: Journal of Public Health, 5(1), 12. doi: 10.32868/pjph5i1.2021
[5] Erhabor, A., & Erhabor, N. (2016). Latest trend of terrorism funding in Nigeria. African Journal of Criminology and Justice Studies, 6(1-2), 63-72. doi: 10.4314/ajcjs.v6i1-2.24
[6] Dada, T. (2022). The National Association of Nigerian Students in Context: A Historical Overview and Analysis. Journal of Higher Education, 11(1), 45-60. doi: 10.33916/jhe.v11i1.628
- The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria announced at the 3rd Nigerian Media Leaders' Summit that Lanre Arogundade, their director, has been removed from the Department of State Security (DSS) watchlist following a campaign that lasted for nearly four decades.
- In his speech, IPI President Musikilu Mojeed revealed that the DSS Director-General, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, informed IPI Nigeria about the removal during a recent meeting.
- Tobi Soniyi, IPI Nigeria's Legal Adviser and Chairman of Advocacy Committee, unveiled the news in an official statement, crediting intense advocacy efforts by IPI Nigeria for securing Arogundade's release.
- Arogundade's inclusion on the DSS watchlist dates back to his tenure as President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) during Nigeria's military regime in the 1980s.
- IPI Nigeria's perseverance in removing Arogundade's name from the watchlist paid off in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where those in attendance praised the decision and Arogundade himself expressed heartfelt gratitude.
- In related news, politics, general news, and war-and-conflicts have remained prevalent topics, with figures such as Nnamdi Kanu being detained by the DSS for his alleged involvement in inciting attacks on police and operating an illegal radio station.
- As a result of IPI Nigeria's success with Arogundade's case, the organization commended the DSS for rectifying their watchlist and looking into the unjust treatment of their colleagues in the media industry.
