The Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has called on editors to use the media for the promotion of peace, stability and to change public viewpoints and sentiment toward a more peaceful resolution of the nation’s current crises.
He made the assertion on Monday while declaring open the 2021 Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) Biennial Convention, themed “The Media in COVID-19 Era: Challenges and Opportunities,” at Tahir Guest Palace Hotel, Kano.
According to him, “If and only if we as a nation are interested in peace and harmony, we must reject hate propaganda machinery. This is a time editors should be conflict-sensitive about our nation.
“Our powerful editors, this is an opportunity to engage in some introspection about our great country, indeed the most populous black nation on earth. I mean you should lend me your ears for us to talk briefly about the expediency of journalism and nation building at this time. More than ever before, we need to understand these difficult times in our country. “
He observed that crossing the redline by some media organisations in recent times has impacted on the nation’s unity, harmony and integration.
“Our brave, collective pursuit in uniting this nation underscores the fact that for as long as we have a common purpose, we will find no obstacle big enough to stop us from marching on. The media and particularly our gatekeepers have a role to play in this regard.”
While urging media to look at the social responsibility aspect of their practice for national development, he maintained that the call for freedom of the press and observance of ethical standard must also be respected.
Earlier, the president of NGE, Mustapha Isa, appreciated the presence of the governor at the event, acknowledging that Kano has been transformed into a more modern city.
He, however, stated categorically that in spite of the trend of fake news threatening society, the members of the NGE were not involved in it.
Isa who is seeking re-election noted that the Covid-19 pandemic had affected media practice negatively, pointing out that this informed the theme of the convention.
“We are trained journalists and responsible gate-keepers,” he said.
Present at the event were, former governor of Ogun State, Chief Aremu Olusegun Osoba; Senior Special Assistant to the President of Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu; Professor Umar Pate, former Presidents of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, former and serving presidents of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, among many other captains of the media industry.
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