Bello Tasks Media on National Unity

Yekini Jimoh in Lokoja

Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Yahaya Bello has called on Nigerian media to avoid reports that tend to sabotage unity of the nation or undermine the corporate existence of the country for national development.

Bello, who made the call at a Ramadan fast-breaking dinner with media executives and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on Friday in Lokoja, observed that some recent reports in the media tend to polarize the nation.

“Avoid misrepresentation of facts and limit report of those things that tend divide us even if they are true. Continue to do your best.”

He added that he was aware of the menace of the social media which has overwhelmed the conventional media, calling on journalists in the country to display high sense of professionalism, discipline and patriotism.

On governance, Bello said: “We had to take a bold step and put our political interests on the line to ensure that the right things are done. I am not unmindful of the circumstances that brought me in.”

Bello promised to create a more conducive environment for interaction to enable government to make right the wrongs of the past, identify weaknesses and strengthen them for overall development of the state.

Speaking earlier, the state council chairman of NUJ, Alhaji Momoh-Jimoh Adeiza commended the governor for his courage and commitment to effecting necessary changes in various areas of the state economy.

He particularly commended Governor Bello for the positive changes effected at the state-owned Graphic Newspaper and the Broadcasting Corporation (Radio Kogi).

Adeiza assured the governor of the continued cooperation of the state council of NUJ and appealed to him to create enabling environment and provide support for journalists covering the state to discharge their duties effectively.