From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Acting President Yemi Osinbajo has canvassed the support of the media against hate speech in the country.
He said there was need for the media to raise the question of hate speech and its implications for the country, her polity and for peace and security.
The acting president made the call when he had audience with the board of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute (IPI), during a courtesy visit at the Presidential Villa, meant to intimate him on plans for the 2018 World Congress of the Global Network of Free Media, scheduled for Abuja in June 2018.
The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, Osinbajo assured the delegation led by the Chairman of Thisday Newspapers, Nduka Obaigbena, that government, in line with its commitment to promote private sector partnership, will partner the Nigerian chapter of IPI, to host a hitch-free Congress.
“It is a very important opportunity for Nigeria to showcase ourselves and also to show that Nigeria is safe and secure for business. It is also an opportunity to advertise all of our ease of doing business initiatives,” the acting president said.
He also assured the visiting IPI board that states could participate in the hosting of the event, especially as it provides “an important opportunity for tourism and for them to showcase some of the great initiatives that they have.”
He urged the local organising committee to consider putting on the agenda of the event, the issue of hate speech and its implications for our polity and for peace and security.
“I think that it is important that we find ways of controlling these things. I think that we owe a responsibility, especially leaders of journalism, to find ways of dealing with this issue because it is a cancer,” he said.
Earlier, Obaigbena had solicited the support of the Federal Government in the hosting of the event in different areas including the provision of a secured and safe environment for delegates, visas on arrival amongst others.
Obiagbena stated that the issue of hate speech will indeed form one of the thematic issues to be discussed during the IPI congress.