By Oluwasegun Abifarin
Director General of the National Orientation Agency, NOA, Dr. Garba Abari has urged the Media to stop amplifying narratives and stories that tend to widen the differences and divisions in the social and political tendencies in the country.
Garba in his opening remark at a parley with media executives in Lagos on Tuesday explained “our concern now, as we try to fulfil part of our mandate is to build a people of peace, a cohesive nation and sensitize an important stakeholder, the Media on what we need to do to maintain the peace and stability of our nation.”
He added that “the media served as the link between the government and its people. It also attracted the much needed feedback to government through its numerous criticisms and willingly set the agenda for both the government and the people.
“One of the challenges of our country is in managing the diversity of a big nation like ours. That challenge become even more burdensome during national election as we had recently. We must commend ourselves as Nigerians because, the culture of violence which usually follow our elections has begun to fade away.”
The Director General maintained that “the 2023 election will be recorded as one of the least violent elections in Nigeria. It is not because people were not provoked enough, but our people appear to have received well the gospel of non-violence as one of our nation’s social creed.”
According to him, “Lagos is an important and strategic state in Nigeria. It remains the commercial capital, the media hub, the melting point of culture and tradition and one of the most advanced political environment in the country. Unfortunately too, it was one of the flash points of violence during the last election. Allegations and counter allegations are being hauled all over the place. That is not the Lagos we all admired.”
As an Agency, Dr. Abari noted that “we believe that one of the best places to rebuild the fabric of social cohesion is to encourage the leaders of our communities, the government and the media to stay on the narrative that promote tolerance, unity of purpose, non-violence, peace and stability. The media is a stakeholder in the peace and stability of Lagos and our nation.”
He emphasised that “It is at times like this that patriots, elder statesmen and women, men and women of conscience who put country over self must rise up to be counted. We must all be sensitive and circumspect in the things that we say, write or show on our screens.
“The role of the media in this is to refrain from giving vent to the caustic, insultive narratives that characterised the campaigns. The elections have come and gone and a new administration is set to assume office at the centre.”
