Nigeria, Dec. 15 -- Last Thursday's sudden death of the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, came as a shock to Nigerians. I want to believe, particularly, all genuine lovers of pluralistic democracy in the country, are saddened by his demise.

When the report of his death came to the newsroom, the first thing any media organisation would do is to seek confirmation or official pronouncement of the state government on this incident. Sadly, those whose responsibility it is to do that were not forthcoming.

It is this attitude of not responding to inquiries by those whose responsibility it is to make this official statement that encourages several newspapers to report the death of people that are still alive.

Nige...