By Osaigbovo Iguobaro
The Federal Government has urged the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to reject bribes from ambassadors of hate speeches ahead of 2019 general elections in Nigeria.
Minister of Information, Culture and tourism Alhaji Lai Mohammed gave the charge at the ongoing 6th triennial delegates conference of NUJ on Wednesday in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital.
“Media, hate speeches and 2019 general elections in Nigeria: A democratic participant or Democratized press” was the theme of the Conference.
Mohammed who was represented by a Director in the Ministry, Mrs.
Omolara Esan, also urged media owners in the country not to “lend their media organizations to hate speeches” not to erode the confidence in the media as a watchdog of society.
The minister who described as evil, irrespective of the benefits that may be tied to it, said president Muhammadu Buhari was committed to the ideals of good governance, peaceful, free and credible elections in 2019.
According to him, “hate speeches are evil and highly destructive and
must be avoided”, especially among social media users.
Ogun State Governor, Sen. Ibikunle Amosun who declared the Ceremony opened, urged the NUJ as a Stakeholder must “divest itself of partisanship ahead of the general elections and promote objectivity.
Amosun who was represented by his deputy, Mrs. Yetunde Ononuga challenged the NUJ to “adapt to the ever changing world and re-invent its leadership structure”.
The outgoing president of NUJ, Abdulwaheed Odusile, gave a brief account of his stewardship in the past three years while, Prof. Muyiwa Popoola from the Department of Communication and Media studies in Ajayi Crowder University, Oyo State delivered the conference lecture.
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