Premium Times has added some traditional indictment to journalism in relation to the death of Kaduna State Commissioner of Education Professor Andrew Jonathan Nok.
Late Nok, who is a renowned Professor of Biochemistry and 2008 winner of the 2009 Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas prize for identifying the gene responsible for the enzymes that cause sleeping sickness, was reported to have died at his home in the early hours of Tuesday.
The cause of his death is yet unknown but a family member known as Mr Jack Zock, said the deceased fell ill and was rushed to the hospital two weeks ago but returned last week after his health had improved.
But PremiumTimes suggests the Commissioner’s death is not from natural cause based on the fact that he was the one who supervised the process leading to the sack of over 21, 000 Primary school teacher in the State.
The headline of the Story read: “Top official who oversaw controversial test of Kaduna teachers dies”.
The obituary was surprisingly connected to the role he played as the supervisor of the competency test, expressing displeasure at the performance of teachers when the result was revealed.
He was quoted to have said: “You will be surprised to know that someone teaching science, for example, could not define science.
“Those that do not fit in the profession will be transferred to areas they could make impact and those that are beyond redemption, I am sorry, they will have to go.”
Even at the end of the story, there was an editor’s note that reads: “This post has been updated with additional details and background information.” Yet, it did not deem it fit to withdraw the suggestion that his death is not unconnected to his role in the sack of the teachers.
In some part of Africa, there are beliefs in charms and voodoo.
Journalism is built on fact and truth; ascribing the death of a person, to some metaphysical powers due to the role he played in the disengagement of the “unqualified” teachers should not be found in or near it.
