During a Lagos panel on Saturday marking Kike Abati’s 20‑year media milestone, [Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nigerians_in_Diaspora_Commission) chair Abike Dabiri‑Erewa accused certain journalists of abandoning professional standards after a social‑media exchange that led to claims she called the [Igbo people](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_people) “monkeys and gorillas,” a charge she denied.
Dabiri said the controversy began when she replied with a smiling emoji to a post by a user she identified as Stephanie, who runs an X account titled “Voice of Igbos.” She asserted that the emoji was a neutral reaction, not an endorsement of the offensive description.
She alleged that [Arise Television](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arise_Television) co‑host Rufai Oseni misread her response and publicly claimed she had labelled the ethnic group as “monkeys and gorillas.” Dabiri condemned the alleged misrepresentation, accusing journalists of amplifying unverified claims.
“Somebody replies to her. Then I do a smiley. And then Rufai Oseni comes and says, Abike Dabiri calls everybody — Igbos — monkeys and gorillas,” she recounted, adding that she had never made such a statement.
The NiDCOM chair warned that “journalism is going to the dogs” and called for greater responsibility among media practitioners, insisting that reporters must verify information before broadcasting it.
**What was Oseni’s counter‑argument?**
Oseni responded on X with a series of posts, accusing Dabiri of using the panel to launch a personal attack rather than addressing the real concerns of Nigerians abroad. He wrote, “Abike Dabiri is more concerned about attacking Rufai Oseni in public instead of doing her job.”
**Did Oseni consider the emoji an endorsement?**
He maintained that sharing a laughing emoji on a post that disparaged an ethnic group constituted an endorsement of bigotry. “You are guilty as charged. How can you share a laughter emoji at a post that denigrates a tribal group?” he asked.
**Is a public debate on the issue forthcoming?**
Oseni challenged Dabiri to a face‑to‑face debate, stating he was ready to “speak the truth to your face and prove to the world you endorse bigotry.” He also urged her to focus on the NiDCOM’s mandate rather than the personal spat.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over media ethics in Nigeria, with both parties vowing to hold each other accountable while the broader public watches the dispute unfold on social platforms.