The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has asked media practitioners in Nigeria not to sit on the fence in matters of national importance even as he described Boko Haram terrorist activities as the major challenge facing the nation.
He therefore appealed to them to galvanize support among the populace for the ongoing war against the menace.
Lai Mohammed, who met representatives of media professional bodies in Abuja today, said that it is important for the media to report the fact that the military has turned the tide against the insurgents by degrading their ability to carry out spectacular attacks and retaking captured territories.
This feat by the military, according to him has paved “the way for displaced persons to gradually return to their homes, for schools that have been destroyed to be rebuilt and for pupils who could not go to school to do so.
“The war against terrorism is not a war for the military alone but for all Nigerians. The media must reflect this in their reporting and galvanize the people to know that it is not just a battle against a few insurgents but a war for the very survival of our nation,” he stated.
The Minister stressed the importance of national unity, saying: “we have taken our unity for granted and have not made a conscious and concerted effort to constantly service and strengthen it.
“Unfortunately, what started as a crack is now widening into a gorge; The media must not remain on the fence when the issue of our national unity is involved. They must carry out their duties in such a way that will unite, rather than divide our people. Our unity is fragile, and the fragility comes into the open at a time of economic downturn as we have now. We cannot afford to be neutral on the issue of national unity,” he said.
The government spokesman assured that the government would work with the media in the interest of the country, disclosing that, “we are working on forging a partnership between the government and the media that will see military and intelligence chiefs interfacing with you to give you first hand information on the progress of the war against terrorism.
“We believe it is important to carry the media along, because if you are well informed about the war, you will be in a better position to inform Nigerians about it. In this regard, you will hear more from us in the days to come.”
The Minister assured the journalists of timely and accurate information from the government, saying: ”if you run into any roadblock while seeking information from any government establishment, kindly notify us.” [myad]
