The United States Mission
in the country is gearing up to training some 100 Nigerian journalist in
preparation for the 2019 general election, reports ITRealms.
Disclosing this on
Thursday in Lagos, the Consul General, Mr. John Bray at the occasion of the
2018 World Press Freedom Day, said the training will be for 100 political reporters
and editors.
This training, he also
said, has been scheduled in four cities across southern Nigeria, and will be co-facilitated
by Voice of America’s Director of International Media Training and a renowned
Nigerian journalism professor.
Bray explained that this
support was designed to help the media further appreciate their huge
responsibility of reporting accurately on elections and electoral processes.
He described democratic
societies are not infallible but they are accountable, and the exchange of
ideas is the foundation for accountable governance.
“Peaceful and credible
elections are essential to Nigeria’s continued economic, political, and social development
so I am interested in your discussion today on media and the transparence of
the 2019 election,” he said.
Nigeria, he also said,
plays a vital role on the world stage and as the largest economy in sub-Saharan
Africa, Nigeria’s stability is crucial to the security and economic prosperity
of the rest of the continent.
“Nigeria’s future is
full of promise and opportunity,” Mr. Bray declared.
The U.S. government, he
reiterated, is dedicated to supporting Nigerians in ensuring that the 2019
elections will be transparent, credible, and peaceful.
He charged media to foster
active debate, provide investigative reporting, and serve as a forum to express
different point of view.
“When people don’t have
the facts, they make them up and that creates unstable environments, rife with
rumors, gossip and lies,” he said.
Urging Nigerian journalists,
to ensure this doesn’t happen, by providing information, researching,
conducting interviews, and then educating the electorate.
“The people of Nigeria
rely on your unbiased and accurate coverage of the campaign season and the
elections. That is why your role is so important,” he enthused.
Assuring that on the
2019 election, the U.S. Mission will supports journalists effort toward
providing objective and balanced reporting to the Nigerian people.
The U.S. government, he
said, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), has
assisted Nigeria with strengthening the elections process since 1999.
“Working with Nigerian
and international partners, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria has also engaged
diplomatically and publicly to prevent violence and increase accountability,
contributing significantly to the goal of free, fair, credible, and peaceful
elections in Nigeria,” he assured.
Other speakers at the
occasion include former chairman, National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Chidi
Odinkalu, Professor Femi Mimiko, Professor of Political Science and Former
Vice-Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.
Equally special guest
at the occasion comprised President Nigeria Guild of Editors, Ms. Funke
Egbemode; Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Dr. Qasim Akinreti and Zonal
Public Relations Officer, Nigeria Police Zone 2 Command, Superintendent of
Police Dolapo Badmus.
Remmy Nweke/ED, Ops
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