Former president Olusegun Obasanjo, on Monday, condemned the activities of the Niger Delta Avengers, the Boko Haram sect and the Fulani herdsmen, saying that the violence being perpetrated by these groups posed serious threat to the unity of the Nigerian nation.
Obasanjo , who said that the gruesome attacks by the violent groups had fractured the unity of the country, called on the media to join hands with the government by using their profession to fight against the nefarious activities of the various groups.
He said this while speaking on the theme, “The media and National Unity” at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Union of Journalists’ National Summit held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The former president, who was represented by Professor Peter Okebukola, urged the media to support government in promoting peaceful coexistence towards ensuring national integration and development.
He said, “At no time in our history, except probably during the civil war, has Nigeria being so fractured in the feeling of oneness and belongingness by the citizenry. In the last four months, we have an average of twenty hotspots across the country with huge potential for national disintegration.
“The media should support the efforts of government in fighting internal security challenges. The Press should mobilise the masses to strengthen the democratic process and play a crucial role in promoting a culture of tolerance, non-violence and mutual co-existence.
“For me, this Summit will only be successful if we find a niche for the press in our march towards ensuring greater national cohesion, especially at this time in our history.
“Our strength as a nation lies in our unity and national cohesion and I want to entreat you (media) to begin to preach the gospel of unity in diversity and unity of purpose and cohesion.”
Obasanjo also lamented that the media had shirked in its responsibility by not doing enough in the area of investigative journalism, adding that many news items lacked credibility.
“It is unacceptable that a number of media organisations place low premium on investigative journalism. These days, many news items that are used as headlines lack credibility and are based on rumours.” he noted.
Declaring the event open, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, stressed that the media should be objective and investigative in their reports.
Amosun added that the should always unearth the truth without entertaining any fear.
“It has even become more important that the profession divests itself of partisanship, ensure objectivity in its reportage and inculcate investigative journalism, if it desires to continue to remain relevant.
“Journalism serves as the watchdog of the government; based on this position, therefore, the people often look forward to the profession for information dissemination and unraveling of the hidden truth without fear or favour,” the governor said.
Amosun, therefore, charged media practitioners to “strive for continued professional development so as to keep abreast of the best global practices in the industry.”
The Minister of Interior, Lt. Gen. Bello Dambazau stated that the media should not be biased in their report and endeavour to always balance their stories.
“The media must adhere to the ethics of the profession. Where the media is unbiased and balanced in their reports, the people will be well informed to make informed decisions,” he said
On his part, Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, stated that the media must wage war against crime and criminality with their pen.
Speaking, Kwara State Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed, who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Mamud Ajaigbe, noted that the media should fight for the oppressed by reporting terrorists’ activities in order to promote national unity.
Also speaking, NUJ National President, Waheed Odusile, said that the purpose of the Summit was not only to address some of the challenges facing the media but also the nation as a whole.
Odusile said, “This Summit is in furtherance of our repeated commitment to national unity and is aimed at providing a platform for us to brainstorm over the various problems facing our country and attempt to find solutions to them.”
He noted that hostility on the part of some people to the media and the inability of some media houses to pay the salaries of their workers , were part of the challenges confronting media professionals.
