Media is critical to world peace – Gov. Sani Bello

Olabode Adaramola

 

Media is critical to world peace – Gov. Sani Bello

Niger State governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello yesterday said that the media remain critical stakeholder in ensuring global peace, especially at this time of heightened crises between nations of the world. 

This was contained in his goodwill message to mark this year’s World Press Freedom day signed by the Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Mr. Jide Orintunsin and made available to newsmen in Minna.

 

The governor noted that the media has a critical role to play in stabilising the polity in the  face of many global conflicting political interests and differences that have continually threatened the world peace.  

 

Apparently referring to the theme of this year celebration, “Critical minds for critical times – Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies”, Gov. Sani Bello said media content should strive to always promote peace and an egalitarian society. 

 

According to the governor, “the peace of the world is being threatened daily by many factors: political interests and differences, quest for power and control and above all the ravaging effects of corruption and corrupt practices. 

 

“While political leaders, technocrats, religious and opinion leaders are striving to proffer solution to these crises, it behoves of the media to come up with a deliberate, conscious and well thought out campaigns that will help forge unity among the various interests, sustain societal peace and promote principle egalitarian society. 

 

“As we celebrate this year’s World Press Freedom day, I wish to appeal to media practitioners in the country to strive to live up to the theme of the celebration. You have to do all within your powers by engaging your various platforms to promote peace, douse tension and play up those values that bind us together as a people and as a nation”. 

 

Gov. Sani Bello then felicitated with media practitioners in the state over the celebration and acknowledged their immense contributions to the actualisation of the restoration agenda of his administration. 

 

The governor expressed his continued support for press freedom and promised that under his watch, the press will not be stiffled, saying, “we shall do our best to protect the interest of the fourth estate of the realm.