The International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria, has announced that the Department of State Security (DSS) has removed the name of its Executive Director, Lanre Arogundadade from its watchlist.
The removal of Arogundade’s name from the DSS Watchlist was coming almost 40 years after.
Tobi Soniyi,Legal Adviser/Chairman, Advocacy Committee, IPI confirmed the development in a statement obtained by Vital News on Wednesday.
Soniyi said IPI Nigeria President, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed disclosed this on Tuesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State at the 3rd Nigerian Media Leaders’ Summit convened by Journalism Clinic led by veteran Journalist Taiwo Obe with media owners and top editors in attendance.
“Mr Mojeed said the Director-General of the DSS, Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, informed IPI Nigeria of the development during a recent engagement with the Service,” he said.
The DSS decision followed sustained and intensive campaign by IPI Nigeria to get Mr Arogundade’s name removed from the watchlist.
The renewed campaign became necessary when Mr. Arogundade’s name was not removed despite previous assurance.
For about forty years, Mr Arogundade was subjected to persistent harassment and embarrassment, including brief detention by security operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos.
IPI Nigeria says it welcomes the decision and commends the DSS for finally removing Mr. Arogundade’s name from the watchlist.
Media executives present at the Abeokuta summit applauded the announcement while Mr. Arogundade, who was also among them, expressed his gratitude and that of his family to IPI Nigeria for the commendable effort.
Arogundade’s journey to the watchlist started during the military regime when he served as the President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) between 1984 and 1985.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
