By Chibuike Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Popular Arise Television presenter, Rufai Oseni has replied critics who have abandoned the issues but are now chasing shadows by arguing that he should leave broadcasting and focus on animal-related adventures since he holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) degree in Animal Physiology from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB).
Precise Post recalls that since yesterday the social media has been buzzing over the war of words between Rufai Oseni and Lere Olayinka, the spokesperson of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
Olayinka, who was a guest at Arise TV show on Friday said Rufai “should begin to act like a human being that you are suppose to be. Is it not you that studied animal anatomy? Go and be doing documentary on animal now and stop talking to human beings.”
Reacting on Saturday (today) on his X account handle, Rufai in a statement titled, “Time to correct the ignorance” said;
“I have heard some warped analogy about what people studying in school definning them.”
“Based on the warped analogy, That says to be a politician, you must study political science, Madam Thatcher wouldn’t have emerged, she should have focused on the Chemistry the studied and work in the Lab.”
“Probably, Theresa May shouldn’t have become the British prime minister, she could have focused on Geography and become a geographer, trying to discover River Thames.”
“The sad part is people that should know better propagate this propaganda because they can’t challenge me with facts and figures, So they go the route of abuse and insults and I laugh so glowingly because they have confirmed that I am definitely doing something right.”
“For us to build the Nigeria we want, we must do the hard work of making our leaders accountable. Accountability means seeking the best solution to the problem.”
“I am not oblivious that those don’t want to be accountable have tools they use to propagate propaganda but they must realize that, the reason they have become tools is due to the dysfunctional nation, we are trying to set right.”
“I am not delusional to think I can change Nigeria, but it will be on record i challenged it. The question is,what are you doing to challenge norms that are not right in society.”
To drive home his point, the popular TV presenter further gave long list of local and international personalities who have distinguished themselves in the media profession who didnt do any course that is journalism related.
For reference, he said:
“Below is a list of Journalist that never studied journalism;
Anderson Cooper: Studied political science at Yale University. He is now a prominent CNN anchor, known for “Anderson Cooper 360°.”
• Lester Holt: Studied government at California State University–Sacramento but did not graduate. He is the anchor of NBC Nightly News.
• Matt Murray: Earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University. He served as editor-in-chief of The Wall Street Journal (2018–2023) and is currently the executive editor of The Washington Post.
• Yvonne Okwara: Pursued a bachelor’s degree in zoology, botany, and chemistry at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). She is a senior anchor and content producer at Citizen TV in Kenya.
• Paul Njoroge: Earned a bachelor’s degree in public administration and Kiswahili at the University of Nairobi. He has worked as a broadcast journalist at the BBC, QFM, Easy FM, and Citizen TV in Kenya.
• Julie Gichuru: Holds a bachelor’s degree in law from the University of Cardiff, UK. She is a Kenyan media personality, founder of Arimus Media Limited, and has hosted numerous news and current affairs shows.
• Wudan Yan: Was pursuing a PhD in cancer biology at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center before transitioning to journalism. She is now an independent journalist who started by pitching stories and working as an intern.
• Libby Solomon: Earned a BA in global studies from the University of Maryland-Baltimore County, taking only one feature-writing class. She began her career as an editorial assistant at a small paper and now freelances.
• Sammy Mack: Studied public health and worked as a public health reporter for WLRN in Miami. She took writing classes and pursued internships to build her journalism career.
• Prannoy Roy: Studied economics and is a chartered accountant. He is the founder of NDTV, one of India’s major media houses.
• Vinod Dua: Completed a degree in English honors from Hansraj College. He was a veteran journalist and one of Doordarshan’s first news anchors in India.
• Sucheta Dalal: Studied B.Sc. in statistics and trained as a lawyer. She is a top Indian business journalist known for breaking stock market scam stories.
• Peter Jennings: Did not complete a college degree. He was a renowned Canadian-American journalist and anchor for ABC World News Tonight.
• Walter Cronkite: Attended the University of Texas at Austin but did not graduate, studying political science and economics. He became a legendary CBS news anchor.
• William Safire: Dropped out of Syracuse University. He was a Pulitzer Prize.
Precise Post further recalls that Rufai Oseni has not just brought directness and accountability to journalism, he has carved a distinct niche for himself in Nigerian journalism. His interview style brings several noteworthy qualities to bear on the field:
Directness and Accountability
Rufai is known for his forthright and uncompromising questioning. He often challenges politicians and public figures with direct, pointed questions—pressing them on inconsistencies, evasions, or failures to deliver. This approach reflects a broader trend in journalism where accountability journalism is essential in holding power to account.
2. Intellectual Rigor
He brings an informed and intellectually curious tone to his interviews. His background in science and training in entrepreneurship gives him a cross-disciplinary perspective, which often enriches discussions. He tends to dig deeper beyond surface-level responses and insists on substance over rhetoric.
3. Courage in Confrontation
In a media landscape where many avoid confrontational questions for fear of political backlash or reprisal, Rufai’s courage in challenging powerful guests stands out. He has faced both public and political criticism for his tough style, yet continues to remain consistent—this has gained him a reputation as a principled journalist.
4. Balance and Clarity
While he’s seen as combative by some, Rufai typically balances his assertiveness with clarity and fairness. He often cites facts and public records to support his questions, which helps ground the discourse in truth rather than speculation.
5. Engagement with the Youth and Reform-Minded Public
His style resonates with younger Nigerians and reform-minded viewers, who are often disillusioned with traditional media’s perceived complicity or timidity. By asking the hard questions and pushing back on spin, he reinforces a culture of civic awareness and public engagement.
In essence, Rufai Oseni has helped elevate journalistic standards in Nigeria through fearless inquiry, informed questioning, and a focus on public accountability. His presence on Arise TV has significantly influenced how political discourse is shaped in the Nigerian media space.
