Hate Speech: Nigerians Risk Loss Of Freedom – NOA

Worried over the rising wave of hate speeches, the director
general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari,
has cautioned that Nigerians risk the loss of their freedoms if the
ugly trend is allowed to snowball into a war situation.

Abari, who stated this why addressing journalists in Abuja,
yesterday, said the current altercations and vituperations of hate
across the country by individuals, well-known leaders, religious
leaders, groups of persons and organisations had a strong
foreboding of looming disaster.

“Our concern is that the social fabric of our nation is being
ruined and we stand at risk of an impending crisis in the face of
unchecked hate and divisive speeches,” he stated.

Abari recalled that the 30 months Civil War of July 1967 to
January 1970, in which over two million of the country’s
compatriots lost their lives, was preceded and started by
intolerance and a series of hate pronouncements, hate speeches,
hate conducts and hate actions inflicted upon one another by the
citizens.

He, therefore, stressed that if the nation is allowed to be
plunged into a crisis just because of the antics of irresponsible
few, no one will be spared of the deadly destructive effects.

According to him, “The latest disturbing aspect of this trend is
that of hate songs. NOA is in possession of at least three songs
already recorded to preach hate in our communities. Two out of
these songs are in mass circulation in the social media,
particularly on Facebook and YouTube. The latest one was released
three days ago.”

He however assured that the federal government is committed to
its constitutional obligation to ensure the safety and security of
all Nigerian citizens, wherever they maybe and is taking all
necessary measures in that regard in the face of the current
situation.

Worried over the rising wave of hate speeches, the director
general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Garba Abari,
has cautioned that Nigerians risk the loss of their freedoms if the
ugly trend is allowed to snowball into a war situation.

Abari, who stated this why addressing journalists in Abuja,
yesterday, said the current altercations and vituperations of hate
across the country by individuals, well-known leaders, religious
leaders, groups of persons and organisations had a strong
foreboding of looming disaster.

“Our concern is that the social fabric of our nation is being
ruined and we stand at risk of an impending crisis in the face of
unchecked hate and divisive speeches,” he stated.

Abari recalled that the 30 months Civil War of July 1967 to
January 1970, in which over two million of the country’s
compatriots lost their lives, was preceded and started by
intolerance and a series of hate pronouncements, hate speeches,
hate conducts and hate actions inflicted upon one another by the
citizens.

He, therefore, stressed that if the nation is allowed to be
plunged into a crisis just because of the antics of irresponsible
few, no one will be spared of the deadly destructive effects.

According to him, “The latest disturbing aspect of this trend is
that of hate songs. NOA is in possession of at least three songs
already recorded to preach hate in our communities. Two out of
these songs are in mass circulation in the social media,
particularly on Facebook and YouTube. The latest one was released
three days ago.”

He however assured that the federal government is committed to
its constitutional obligation to ensure the safety and security of
all Nigerian citizens, wherever they maybe and is taking all
necessary measures in that regard in the face of the current
situation.