Dear Sir: Further to our telephone conversation of Monday, August 16, 2010, I write to tell you, once again, that I found it rather insulting to read in your report that I was hired to cover General Babangida's meeting with over thirty journalists.
Dear Sir: Further to our telephone conversation of Monday, August 16, 2010, I write to tell you, once again, that I found it rather insulting to read in your report that I was hired to cover General Babangida's meeting with over thirty journalists.
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On the contrary, I was there in two capacities: 1. As a STILL PHOTOGRAPHER who has chronicled the Babangida family tree over the years; and (2), as a friend of the family. I met the late Mrs. Babangida when she was 17 years old (through her elder brother, a friend). I have known General Ibrahim Babangida for 45 years.
I was the first correspondent for the PUNCH newspaper group in the United States of America in the 1970s. I was the pioneer Photo Editor of the GUARDIAN newspaper group; pioneer Editor of Lagos Life newspaper; Managing Editor of the GUARDIAN newspaper group; Consultant to the now defunct DAILY TIMES; PUNCH and VANGUARD newspapers; Director of Photography for THISDAY newspaper group; Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of PHOTONEWS magazine (now online).
I have been fortunate (and thankful to the Almighty God), to have developed a reputation as a journalist who has never asked for or taken bribe from ANYONE, ... with zero tolerance for corruption in the Media. Therefore, I can tell you categorically that no money was distributed whilst I was at the press briefing ... I was there from 10.30 p.m. to 2.15 a.m. when the journalists returned to their hotels.
I find it ludicrous that you can suggest that somehow men and women, in a room full of grown people, were forced to sign a birthday card. As the oldest media practitioner present (I shall turn 69 on September 25, by God's grace), I was asked to hand over a birthday card, signed by ALL the journalists, without duress, to General Babangida.
Although you said to me, on the phone, that you did not accuse me of accepting any money from anyone, you portrayed me in your report as documenting the "cash exchange''.
It is ironic that you have chosen to smear the Media that fought for your civil rights and freedom, in battles with the University system and the Government.
The Chairperson of the Editorial Board of PUNCH newspaper group has lost his job because of your untrue story and attempt at character assassination.
I have consulted my lawyers. I reserve the right to sue you, in the United
States of America or in Nigeria, for tarnishing my reputation.
Yours very truly,
Sunmi Smart-Cole
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