Again, Presidency Raises Alarm Over Misinformation, Parleys With International Media

The presidency has again expressed concern over the circulation
of fake news and misleading information aimed at causing social
discontent and disunity in the country.

Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and
Publicity, stated this at a media parley with international
journalists organised by the Presidential Media Team at the old
Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

Mr Adesina condemned what he described as deliberate
misinformation and incorrect reports by some international media
outfits who reported the protests in some part of the country.

He explained that the meeting was part of the ongoing critical
engagements with both local and international media aimed at
ensuring better understanding of events in the country.

“There have been different kinds of reportage, particularly from
the international media, some informed; some not quite informed and
some downright incorrect.

“We just felt it was necessary to invite these international
journalists so that we can share perspectives with them and it can
condition their reportage positively, because if they have
background information I don’t think journalists will set out
deliberately to skew reports.

“At times, their reports end up being skewed because they do not
have enough information.

“So, that is why we held this meeting so that the necessary
background information that they can condition their reportage.

“There should be no end to engagements. We should continue to
engage – engage with local journalists and engage with
international journalists.

“Engagement should be a continuous process because through
engagements we can forge better understanding,’’ Mr Adesina
said.

Speaking at the forum, the Attorney General and Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami, saluted the Nigerian Police Force (NPF)
for the mature way it handled the #EndSARS protests despite the
killing of its personnel in some parts of the country.

Mr Malami assured that the federal government would continue to
ensure institutional provisions to the NPF to enhance the quality
of policing in the country.

“How does the reform of police now translated into manifestation
associated with the EndSARS incident.

“I think the answer is clear; for the first time in over past 20
years, we do not have incidences associated with massive loss of
lives by way of reactions of the police.

“And in effect, we eventually have in our hands an incident
where 20 policemen were provocatively killed by purported
protesters without counter reactions by way of counter provocative
attacks on the part of the public.

“What further evidence do you need of a reform of the police
force in a situation whereby in as nation our security outfit,
security personnel and indeed our security infrastructure are being
attacked with impunity to such an extent that over 200 police
stations were set ablaze without provocative reactions on the part
of the police.

“I think I have made my point that we do not only have a
reformed police force arising from the legislative frameworks that
are in place, but we have an established proof of reform both in
terms of attitude, sentiment and associated reactions on the part
of the police,’’ he said.

The media engagement also featured questions and answers session
where Mr Malami and the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi,
debunked the allegation that soldiers were ordered to shoot
#EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate in October.

Mr Malami disclosed that the federal government had directed
that all cases of police brutality and maltreatments of innocent
citizens by security personnel should be investigated and culprits
should be brought to book.

On his part, Mr Magashi revealed that the Lekki EndSARS incident
was being investigated by both the federal and Lagos State
governments.

He, therefore, appealed to the media to always avoid speculative
reports on the incident as government was doing all it could to
identify and prosecute all those behind the crisis.

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who
also spoke at the event, dismissed the assertion that the #EndSARS
protests would affect the smooth consideration and passage of the
Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by the National Assembly.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab
Ahmed, who highlighted the state of the nation’s economy,
reiterated the commitment of the government to ensure full
implementation of the 5-point demand of youths occasioned by the
EndSARS protests.

She also expressed the readiness of the federal government to
complement the efforts of those state governments that established
Compensation Fund meant to to compensate families of victims of
Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) killings.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on
Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, expressed the hope that the
presidency would sustain the media engagements for the general good
of the society.

The presidency has again expressed concern over the circulation
of fake news and misleading information aimed at causing social
discontent and disunity in the country.

Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President on Media and
Publicity, stated this at a media parley with international
journalists organised by the Presidential Media Team at the old
Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, on Monday.

Mr Adesina condemned what he described as deliberate
misinformation and incorrect reports by some international media
outfits who reported the protests in some part of the country.

He explained that the meeting was part of the ongoing critical
engagements with both local and international media aimed at
ensuring better understanding of events in the country.

“There have been different kinds of reportage, particularly from
the international media, some informed; some not quite informed and
some downright incorrect.

“We just felt it was necessary to invite these international
journalists so that we can share perspectives with them and it can
condition their reportage positively, because if they have
background information I don’t think journalists will set out
deliberately to skew reports.

“At times, their reports end up being skewed because they do not
have enough information.

“So, that is why we held this meeting so that the necessary
background information that they can condition their reportage.

“There should be no end to engagements. We should continue to
engage – engage with local journalists and engage with
international journalists.

“Engagement should be a continuous process because through
engagements we can forge better understanding,’’ Mr Adesina
said.

Speaking at the forum, the Attorney General and Minister of
Justice, Abubakar Malami, saluted the Nigerian Police Force (NPF)
for the mature way it handled the #EndSARS protests despite the
killing of its personnel in some parts of the country.

Mr Malami assured that the federal government would continue to
ensure institutional provisions to the NPF to enhance the quality
of policing in the country.

“How does the reform of police now translated into manifestation
associated with the EndSARS incident.

“I think the answer is clear; for the first time in over past 20
years, we do not have incidences associated with massive loss of
lives by way of reactions of the police.

“And in effect, we eventually have in our hands an incident
where 20 policemen were provocatively killed by purported
protesters without counter reactions by way of counter provocative
attacks on the part of the public.

“What further evidence do you need of a reform of the police
force in a situation whereby in as nation our security outfit,
security personnel and indeed our security infrastructure are being
attacked with impunity to such an extent that over 200 police
stations were set ablaze without provocative reactions on the part
of the police.

“I think I have made my point that we do not only have a
reformed police force arising from the legislative frameworks that
are in place, but we have an established proof of reform both in
terms of attitude, sentiment and associated reactions on the part
of the police,’’ he said.

The media engagement also featured questions and answers session
where Mr Malami and the Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi,
debunked the allegation that soldiers were ordered to shoot
#EndSARS protesters at Lekki Toll Gate in October.

Mr Malami disclosed that the federal government had directed
that all cases of police brutality and maltreatments of innocent
citizens by security personnel should be investigated and culprits
should be brought to book.

On his part, Mr Magashi revealed that the Lekki EndSARS incident
was being investigated by both the federal and Lagos State
governments.

He, therefore, appealed to the media to always avoid speculative
reports on the incident as government was doing all it could to
identify and prosecute all those behind the crisis.

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, who
also spoke at the event, dismissed the assertion that the #EndSARS
protests would affect the smooth consideration and passage of the
Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) by the National Assembly.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab
Ahmed, who highlighted the state of the nation’s economy,
reiterated the commitment of the government to ensure full
implementation of the 5-point demand of youths occasioned by the
EndSARS protests.

She also expressed the readiness of the federal government to
complement the efforts of those state governments that established
Compensation Fund meant to to compensate families of victims of
Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) killings.

In his remarks, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on
Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, expressed the hope that the
presidency would sustain the media engagements for the general good
of the society.