BREAKING NEWS, Politics
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FORMER President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo has decried the continued threats of disintegration resulting from the activities of various armed groups in different parts of the country, noting that aside the thirty-months civil war period; Nigeria has never been as divided in history as it is presently.
He spoke at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, national summit held at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Abeokuta. Obasanjo, who was represented by Prof. Peter Okebukola, warned that the media should not fan the embers of disunity but rather take the lead in the marching towards greater national integration and development.
While criticising those calling for the breakup of Nigeria, he lamented that the activities of the Niger-Delta Avengers, NDA, Boko Haram terrorists and Fulani herdsmen had fractured the country. The former president said, “At no time in our history, except probably during the civil war, has Nigeria been 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.” Obasanjo called on the media to support the efforts of government in fighting internal security challenges.
He said, “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 to 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 (the media) to begin to preach the gospel of unity in diversity and unity of purpose and cohesion.”
The ex-president also charged the Nigerian media to pay close attention to investigative journalism, as most news headlines lacked credibility and were based on rumours. “It is unacceptable that a number of media organisations place low premium on investigative journalism,” he said, adding that “These days, many news items that are used as headlines lack credibility and are based on rumours.” – Premium Times
— Aug 17, 2016 @ 19:00 GMT
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