Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, the Sultan of Sokoto, has accused the media of playing both positive and negative roles in the just-concluded 2023 general elections. He also decried the rapid rise of banditry and other types of insecurity nationwide.
At Thursday’s second quarterly meeting of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) in Abuja, Sultan highlighted that the media is a crucial stakeholder in nation-building and should be involved in all government operations and programmes.
“Take a look at what’s occurring around the world where the media compromise on quality, facts, and truth,” he stated. Unfortunately, Sudan is at war, and the media can stop or prolong it.
The 2023 elections saw a distinct media role. The next administration will also depend on the media. We anticipate media professionals to share their challenges and expectations with the incoming government.
Regrettably, insecurity is rising again. No insecurity occurred during the campaigns or elections. After the elections, killings resumed in Niger, Plateau, Kaduna, and other regions. Uninformed people committed these murders, not religion.
“Imagine outlaws invading a community, killing people and destroying their property with little or no pushback from security officers. Only for security officers to emerge long after the attacks and possibly insult the people or look at the ashes of destroyed property.
“A few days ago, US Embassy personnel in Anambra state were slain and burned. That was cruel and unjustified.
In his remarks, CAN President Archbishop Daniel Okoh, who is also NIREC’s co-chair, noted that the theme of the second quarterly meeting was chosen to recognise the media’s vital role in nation-building and the need to foster unity and a better working relationship between the media and leaders for the country’s benefit.
“The media may enrich the discussion of leaders by offering thoroughly investigated and research stories to strengthen the religious literacy of the leaders, which simply means having basic awareness of various religions and engendering respect for other religions,” he said.
“This is the mentality that will allow them avoid selfishness and strive for the good and growth of Nigeria,” he advised media professionals.
He said media professionals have the capacity and platform to end the problem and enough information to unite diverse religions and ethnic groups. Therefore, they must grasp Nigeria’s predicament.
He praised journalists who never compromised quality or truth, especially during the last general elections.
In his remarks, Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha explained that NIREC leads religious institutions to promote peaceful coexistence.
He said NIREC’s framework and terms of reference can enable Nigeria’s resurrection and peaceful coexistence.
“If God handed Nigeria’s rescue to Christians and Muslims, failing to establish peace would be like failing God.
I pray that God guides NIREC’s leadership with a cohesive mission and sincerity of purpose to fulfil its task.
He commended the traditional and religious leaders’ unwavering support of SGF, which helped Nigeria’s democracy evolve.
He proposed that more should be done, especially ineffective and investigative coverage that promotes peace and unity among the country’s religious and ethnic groupings.
