The Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and ARISE Television presenter Rufai Oseni have engaged in a public exchange over allegations of ethnic insensitivity and the standards expected of journalists.
The disagreement followed Dabiri-Erewa’s criticism of media practitioners she accused of reporting claims without adequately verifying facts during a panel session in Lagos on Saturday.
The event was organised to celebrate Kike Abati’s 20th anniversary in the media industry.
During the discussion, Dabiri-Erewa revisited a controversy involving a social media post about Igbo people, alleging that Oseni had misrepresented her reaction to the post as support for an offensive description of the ethnic group.
She explained that her involvement began when she reacted with a smiling emoji to a post by a user she identified as Stephanie, who allegedly operated an X account under the name “Voice of Igbos”.
According to the NiDCOM chairperson, Oseni subsequently accused her of describing Igbo people as “monkeys and gorillas”, an allegation she denied.
Dabiri-Erewa argued that journalists must exercise caution when interpreting social media interactions, insisting that media professionals should demonstrate the same accountability they demand from public officials.
She also expressed concern over what she described as declining ethical standards in parts of the journalism profession.
However, Oseni rejected her explanation, arguing that reacting with a laughing emoji to a post that denigrated an ethnic group could be interpreted as endorsing its message.
In a series of posts on X, the ARISE Television presenter accused Dabiri-Erewa of focusing on criticising him publicly instead of concentrating on the responsibilities of the commission she heads.
Oseni maintained that her reaction to the controversial post amounted to support for its content and challenged her to a public debate over the matter.
He said he was prepared to defend his position and explain why he believed the reaction was inappropriate, while accusing the NiDCOM chairperson of being unwilling to accept criticism.
The presenter also urged Dabiri-Erewa to focus on the welfare and interests of Nigerians living abroad, which fall within the commission’s mandate.
The exchange has renewed discussions about the interpretation of social media reactions, the limits of journalistic criticism and the responsibility of public figures when issues involving ethnic identity arise.
While Dabiri-Erewa maintains that Oseni misrepresented her position, the presenter insists that her reaction to the post conveyed endorsement of its message.
The dispute highlights the challenges of interpreting online interactions, particularly when they involve sensitive ethnic issues and public figures whose statements and reactions attract widespread scrutiny.
