Plagiarism: The undiagnosed ebola in Nigeria I love Linda Ikejis Blog space and the overarching vision is driving her initiative. However, considering the embarrassing shutdown of her tabloid weblog, we have to revisit the position of the Nigerian elite, the academia and the populace at large on the issues of plagiarism. I for one do not run a second of my time surfing the content of her sensational stories as I do believe that the journalistic approach associated with that genre of mass media required to be professionally presented. Randomly copy-pasting news and stories and over-hyping sensational events whose content hold zero significance and influence on the society in a view to amassing viewership is a defiance to the standards of professional journalism. And It is obvious that this blogstress needed be reminded that even the dons of sensationalism and the patriarchs of tabloid journalism still make conscious effort to gather, process and disseminate their information abiding by the core principles of objectivity, truthfulness, fairness and public accountability. However, too late for Linda, ALmighty google taught her shrewd lessons in a very hard way. However, no misgivings here, I am sure that Linda Ikeji would someday pick her batons, reposition again and return to the kitchen of journalism applying more ethics and standards in dishing out her gossip buffet with an ambitious focus on content and quality as opposed to loudness and self-centeredness This is a learning process for her., she will emerge better and perhaps stronger. And as Linda Ikeji , Hardcore Fan, I am pleased to donate my widows mite for this vision. I will gladly supply her with the domain names Thisislindaikeji and Thisislindaikeji.net without cost and unlimited hosting thisislindaikeji, Thisislindaikeji Linda Ikejas issues aside, this single example of intellectual dishonesty brings to light a hidden virus that has inflicted more damaged on our national and institutional pedigree than the Ebola fever. Plagiarism is prevalent in our society, it has been nationalised, it has become a new normal both at the highest and lowest level of our institutions, and it pride seats on the table of a vast array of our organisational settings both at the public and private sector level. Recently, A former central bank governor was dragged before the federal high court over an alleged case of plagiarism was recently. Ask your yourself How many Nigerian students, even amongst the best of the best can produce an original work of proper Thesis/Dissertation without cutting corners and transgressing?. It should be a huge issue of national concern, if our thinking are not fresh and our thought process are not original, how do we expect that real development and meaningful national progress emanate from those we call students, researchers, lecturers and professors who are honorably expected to position as pioneers of new theories, and to engage in solving new and existing problems , and devising new applications and solutions to domestic challenges from their stock of knowledge. It is high-time we created an awareness of this state of concern. Device national policies to punish those responsible for this crime, and let them feel the overarching effect of this barbaric act of supposedly subtle dishonesty. Trading academic projects for 5 and 10 thousand naira should be made a grave offense, its underlying effect on our state and nationhood should be emphasized and all perpetrators involved in the malfeasance should be made to answer for it. Its high time we let our people be aware of the risk in plagiarism. The brutal repercussions of this virus on our national creativity and its overarching effect on our social, scientific and economic development. Lets be our brothers keeper by teaching ourselves to do things right. Dipo Daramola.
Posted on: Wed, 08 Oct 2014 20:26:51 +0000