The national leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists has expressed concerns over insecurity in the country even as it commended government effort at handling the challenge suggesting that government should accept the inputs of well meaning Nigerians on alternative ways of dealing with the issue.

This hint was dropped by the NUJ delegation to the Vice President ,Prof Yemi Osinbajo in his office at the Aso Presidential Villa,Abuja.

Leading the delegation,the NUJ President,Christopher Isiguzo expressed delight to Prof Osinbajo for according them courtesy of giving the delegation audience amidst his tight and very pressing schedule.

He commended the government on the evolution of the “Innovation Fellowship for Aspiring Inventors and Researchers i-FAIR, an initiative of Your Excellency’s office in collaboration with the State of Israel.

We see this six months programme as a unique opportunity for Nigerians to transform their ideas into inventions with the mentoring of renowned experts in the Israeli and Nigerian innovation ecosystem. ”

He prayed that programme, will go a long way in empowering the youths as well as generating the desired employment opportunities. Isiguzo equally commend the renewed determination by the Federal Government to end the protracted insecurity challenges ravaging some parts of the country, especially the insurgency in the North East and banditry, kidnapping in the North West and other acts of criminality that constitute a threat to the development of the nation.

He lauded also the courage and professionalism of our Armed Forces even as he appealed to Nigerians to unite against terrorism and other acts of insecurity rather than resorting to issues of politics that may not have any positive bearing in the fight against these evils.

The NUJ president expressed appreciation on the fact that government has adopted new approaches that would tackle insecurity in the Country and urged further that additional strategies be adopted to address the specific political, economic, and social challenges that encourage these security problems in general and the potential solutions that reduce them as the most reliable way forward.

Isiguzo posited that ” While we encourage the government to listen to suggestions from well meaning citizens who provide credible and workable alternative options in dealing with the devastating security situation, we similarly urge government to be tolerant in dealing with the anger and frustration of the citizens.

He lamented the effect of insecurity on food production even against the backdrop of a boutiful rainny season, however, it is worrisome that agricultural activities have been adversely affected in many different ways and in many parts of the country because of insecurity,”Many citizens have been displaced and these have heightened the risk of food insecurity. We believe Government is taking steps to ameliorate the suffering of displaced persons and other persons so affected.”

He disclosed the contribution of the NUJ through in training and retraining of journalists with assistance from various development partners to build capacity of journalists to effectively bring to public attention humanitarian situations in the country in a fair manner, honestly, and constructively pointing out the significance of the media as an effective tool for solving security challenges in the country which cannot be wished away. He frowned at ” the various comments of some highly placed Government officials that accuse the media of over-blowing security challenges in the country before the international community. We caution that lack of adequate information can, at any stage of a conflict, make people desperate, restless and easy to manipulate.”

The NUJ president stated further that “While we call on Journalists to be careful not to be tempted into propagating fake news by ensuring proper and adequate checks before stories are written and transmitted for public consumption, we insist that Leaders should be held accountable to the people by the media through objective criticisms devoid of any sentiments and bias. This is the only way we can help sustain our democracy. Distracting leaders from acts of Governance through such frivolities and fake news, hate speeches will not auger well for the country and certainly, blaming the media for government’s inability to contain insecurity and other developmental issues is wrong and very unhelpful. ”

He used the occasion to inform the Vice President of the near conclusion of his first tenure and his quest for a second term.