The Beam and the Quest: Their Connection, a Sure Lead to the Future

In March 2018, a publication was made and I read of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) where it states clearly the role of media and investigative journalism in combating corruption.

It says the “media and investigative journalism play a crucial role in bringing allegations of corruption to light and fighting against impunity”. An international consortium of investigative journalists is an example of international cooperation that leads to tangible results in bringing financial and economic crime to the attention of the public and law enforcement authorities.

Media reporting is an essential—albeit untapped—the source of detection in corruption cases. (Chapter 4 of the OECD study. December 2017).

In summary, the report in chapter 4 from the study includes further information collected through country reviews undertaken by the OECD Working Group on Bribery in International Business Transactions and through responses to the OECD Survey on Investigative Journalism.  It also explores good practices and challenges in the detection of international corruption cases via media reporting and investigative journalism.

The birth of the Beam Newspaper in 2002 (as was and still is) has its stand of not to report happenings copied from other sources or mere hearsay but to gather information first hand through investigative journalism; giving excellence in reportage and building character in journalism.

The Beam Newspaper as a local tabloid (as many saw it) got into the heart of its vendors and readers to the extent readers would seek the opinion/report in the Beam Newspaper to accept what’s in the media space. The Beam Newspaper separates TRUTH FROM FALSEHOOD; uncovering facts hidden even by those who are placed in positions of responsibility. Investigative journalism and accurate reportage have been the thriving grace of the Beam Newspaper.

19 years after, the advancement in the magic wands and power of the pen in the informative mission of the Beam Newspaper cannot be overemphasized. What the local tabloid has impacted in society transcends international arguments.

In these 19 years and more to count, the Beam Newspaper went through her dark days but something keeps keeping it because it is true that ‘good ventures are fought against; even by good people, especially the uninformed ones’. Alas, the Beam keeps beaming.

The founder/Editor in Chief, Adaoha Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe, a seasoned figure and an indisputable authority in the media space; one certified as an investigative journalist chose not to end with the Beam Newspaper but shoot farther a little more as she aimed higher to establish the Citizen’s Quest for Truth Initiative CQTI, a Non-Governmental Organization with the mission to take the truth the informative journalism through a different and entirely new angle altogether. With the Beam Newspaper, she separates truth from falsehood and in the Citizen’s Quest for Truth Initiative; she leads you to SEE FOR YOURSELF.

With bright minds and hearts willing to engrave their names on the rocks of time, the CQTI took the society by storm and with Chief Obiaruko Ndukwe leading from the middle to the front, the Quest has touched the society from government-related issues to community trust and development et al.

Someone asked me: is she a superwoman and I couldn’t find a better adjective to qualify this grand leader for generational change.

Through the recently established CQTI, she had developed readers, improved writers, made business ideas blossom and into fruition and here, I am also a product of her school of mind development.

The New Living Translation of the Bible explains better the verse in Habakkuk 2:3 as: “This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed”. This is true in the case with the Beam Newspaper and her relationship with the CQTI. The story is of a gradually nursed vision that is leading to a grand opening of what the media is yet to experience.

Now, the QUEST TELEVISION (QUEST-TV) is underway and through to this, it shall, again, unveil a side that will clearly take the world by storm.

Separating the truth from falsehood can only (as it has been now), happen WHEN YOU SEE FOR YOURSELF. The Beam Newspaper and the Citizen’s Quest for Truth Initiative rocks.

Sukari Alex Owuru (SMG) is a public relations practitioner based in Port Harcourt