Debates Over Nigeria’s Future Can Be Intense, Passionate But Not Toxic, Says Osinbajo

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday that Nigeria is not
a perfect nation but the cure for its imperfections is most
certainly neither destruction nor a heedless descent into anarchy
being promoted by some voices.

He admitted that debates over Nigeria’s future will always be
intense and passionate but they need not be toxic or
polarizing.

All Nigerians, according to him, have a share in the much needed
work of rebuilding, redesigning, reforming and healing our
nation.

“Creating commonality of purpose in ethnically and culturally
diverse societies is challenging the world over. However,
nation-building is not the sole preserve of politicians and
governments; in fact, it is just as much a task for civil society
of which the media is an important member,” Osinbajo said at a
memorial tagged “An Afternoon of Tributes in honour of nine
departed giants of the media at the Muson Centre, Onikan,
Lagos.

The event, anchored by the duo of Kadaria Ahmed and Ademola
Oyinlola, was organised by The Newspaper Proprietors Association of
Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ) and Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria
(BON).

Osinbajo said the giants being celebrated understood that
journalism operates in a social context and cannot be
value-neutral.

This same cognitive commitment, he said, is incumbent upon all
media workers.

According to him, Nigeria is at a time in its national odyssey
in which retailers of discord and merchants of strife are working
assiduously against our collective potential as a people.

He said: “Among the powers of the press is the ability to
amplify and drown out voices. Media practitioners have a
responsibility to exercise discernment in their deployment of their
platforms.

“In this regard, we must ask ourselves whether we are empowering
and amplifying the most insensate, intemperate and incendiary
voices in our midst while marginalizing voices of reason.

“It is true that freedom of expression is enshrined in our
constitution. But, we all agree that society, progress and order
depend upon the responsible exercise of freedom, otherwise the end
result will be anarchy.”

Continuing, he said: “As we struggle to build our nation with
the bricks of mutuality, plurality and tolerance, I would suggest
that those of us that stand as gatekeepers in the fourth estate
must demonstrate a greater awareness of the sensibilities and
sensitivities of our society. Debates over our country’s future
will always be intense and passionate but they need not be toxic or
polarizing.

“The media can help to promote a climate of civility in which
even the most contentious national issues can be discussed in full
and frank terms without degenerating into chaos. Let us reject the
temptation to fracture our society and choose instead to elevate
those constructive elements in our midst that can promote justice,
healing and togetherness.”

He also said: “I remain unyielding in my belief that we have a
common destiny and that we, the constituents of this nation, are
stronger together. I believe that all of us have a stake in
advancing the cause of justice, equity and progress. This is a task
that is incumbent on all of us.”

Media leaders honoured posthumously were Alhaji Lateef Jakande,
Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua, Chief Gbolabo Ogunsanwo, Mr. Bisi
Lawrence, Malam Wada Maida, Mr. Eddie Aderinokun, Mr. Ben Egbuna,
Prince Tony Momoh and Sam Nda-Isaiah.

Media icons who took turns to eulogise the media honourees
included Chief Segun Osoba, Mr. Sam Amuka represented by Gbenga
Adefaye, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Mr. Tony Akiotu, Mr. Ray Ekpu, Mr.
Lade Bonuola, Mr. Lanre Idowu, Mr. John Momoh and Mr. Azubuike
Ishiekwene.

The event had in attendance Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
State and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Deputy
Governor of Ogun State , Mrs. Noimot Salako -Oyedele, Aremo Segun
Osoba, and top media executives, including Chairman, The Guardian
newspaper, Maiden Ibru, the Etsu Nupe, Alh.Yahaya Abubakar Kusodu
Nupe, among others.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo said yesterday that Nigeria is not
a perfect nation but the cure for its imperfections is most
certainly neither destruction nor a heedless descent into anarchy
being promoted by some voices.

He admitted that debates over Nigeria’s future will always be
intense and passionate but they need not be toxic or
polarizing.

All Nigerians, according to him, have a share in the much needed
work of rebuilding, redesigning, reforming and healing our
nation.

“Creating commonality of purpose in ethnically and culturally
diverse societies is challenging the world over. However,
nation-building is not the sole preserve of politicians and
governments; in fact, it is just as much a task for civil society
of which the media is an important member,” Osinbajo said at a
memorial tagged “An Afternoon of Tributes in honour of nine
departed giants of the media at the Muson Centre, Onikan,
Lagos.

The event, anchored by the duo of Kadaria Ahmed and Ademola
Oyinlola, was organised by The Newspaper Proprietors Association of
Nigeria (NPAN), Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Nigeria Union of
Journalists (NUJ) and Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria
(BON).

Osinbajo said the giants being celebrated understood that
journalism operates in a social context and cannot be
value-neutral.

This same cognitive commitment, he said, is incumbent upon all
media workers.

According to him, Nigeria is at a time in its national odyssey
in which retailers of discord and merchants of strife are working
assiduously against our collective potential as a people.

He said: “Among the powers of the press is the ability to
amplify and drown out voices. Media practitioners have a
responsibility to exercise discernment in their deployment of their
platforms.

“In this regard, we must ask ourselves whether we are empowering
and amplifying the most insensate, intemperate and incendiary
voices in our midst while marginalizing voices of reason.

“It is true that freedom of expression is enshrined in our
constitution. But, we all agree that society, progress and order
depend upon the responsible exercise of freedom, otherwise the end
result will be anarchy.”

Continuing, he said: “As we struggle to build our nation with
the bricks of mutuality, plurality and tolerance, I would suggest
that those of us that stand as gatekeepers in the fourth estate
must demonstrate a greater awareness of the sensibilities and
sensitivities of our society. Debates over our country’s future
will always be intense and passionate but they need not be toxic or
polarizing.

“The media can help to promote a climate of civility in which
even the most contentious national issues can be discussed in full
and frank terms without degenerating into chaos. Let us reject the
temptation to fracture our society and choose instead to elevate
those constructive elements in our midst that can promote justice,
healing and togetherness.”

He also said: “I remain unyielding in my belief that we have a
common destiny and that we, the constituents of this nation, are
stronger together. I believe that all of us have a stake in
advancing the cause of justice, equity and progress. This is a task
that is incumbent on all of us.”

Media leaders honoured posthumously were Alhaji Lateef Jakande,
Alhaji Ismaila Isa Funtua, Chief Gbolabo Ogunsanwo, Mr. Bisi
Lawrence, Malam Wada Maida, Mr. Eddie Aderinokun, Mr. Ben Egbuna,
Prince Tony Momoh and Sam Nda-Isaiah.

Media icons who took turns to eulogise the media honourees
included Chief Segun Osoba, Mr. Sam Amuka represented by Gbenga
Adefaye, Prince Nduka Obaigbena, Mr. Tony Akiotu, Mr. Ray Ekpu, Mr.
Lade Bonuola, Mr. Lanre Idowu, Mr. John Momoh and Mr. Azubuike
Ishiekwene.

The event had in attendance Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos
State and his Ekiti State counterpart, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Deputy
Governor of Ogun State , Mrs. Noimot Salako -Oyedele, Aremo Segun
Osoba, and top media executives, including Chairman, The Guardian
newspaper, Maiden Ibru, the Etsu Nupe, Alh.Yahaya Abubakar Kusodu
Nupe, among others.