Urges media to stop undermining citizens’ effort to live in peace
* As Ubani emerges ‘Champion of the voiceless’

The Commandant of Police Training School, Ikeja, DCP Musa Yusuf Garba (fisn, iips, csp) has expressed worry and anger at the display of the Nigerian media agencies particularly as it relates to reportage of security issues. He made his assertion at the maiden edition of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) Dinner and Awards held last week in Lagos.

The Commandant contended: ‘The country is not only facing insecurity challenge but also facing wrong insecurity reportage where the successes of security agencies particularly the Nigerian Police is either under reported or twisted to fit in the narration of those who are harbingers of hate speech and media abuse with sole aim of undermining the collective efforts of citizens to live in peace, harmony and humility.’

‘Therefore the country needs patriotic individuals, groups and associations to use their professionalism to counter these negative narratives in the public domain.’

He advised members of the security news association, ‘this is where your National Association of Online Security News Publishers NAOSNP should distinguish themselves as a conglomerate of professional media experts to change the situation. There is also need to use your platform to promote and create more awareness about the activities and successes of the Nigerian Police in its quest to rid the country of criminals.’

‘Online platforms and particularly social media are very effective tools in the expression of opinions but many people have abused the privilege, and hence professionals and experts in this area like you should deploy your expertise to help in creating awareness and security consciousness among the citizenry which may improve citizen participation in building content and value-based society.’

On his part, the chairman of the occasion, the former National Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Barr. Monday Onyekachi Ubani, who bagged the award ‘NAOSNP Champion of the Voiceless’ reiterated ‘Security is everyone business despite the challenges of insecurity across the country, I’m very optimistic our great country will come out strong.’

Also winning the NAOSNP awards were former Inspector-General of Police, MD Abubakar; AIG Zone 2, Ahmed Iliyasu; Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu; his Imo and Osun State counterparts, CP Isaac Olutayo Akinmoyede and CP Adie Jeremiah Undie.

Equally honoured on the night were the Comptroller of Immigration Service, Usman Musa Abdullahi; Commander of Inspector General of Police-Intelligence Response Team (IRT), DCP Abba Kyari; Commandant of Police Training School Ikeja, DCP Musa Yusuf Garba; General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Engr Olajide Oduwoye; CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun; Chairman of PCRC Lagos state, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo; Chairman of PCRC Victoria Island, Mr. Matthew Ibadin; Chairman of Silicon Valley Nigerian Economic Development SV-NED Inc.; HRH Queen Mother Chief Mrs. Amina Temitope Ajayi F.I.I.M; Chief Security Officer of Fidelity Bank, Mr Peter Okoloh; CEO of Evergreen Protective Services, Chief Anthony Gasby Ayoh; CEO of Garu Technologies Limited, Alhaji Lukman Garu and Vice Chair, Ikorodu Local Government, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba.

Expressing her joy, the elegant and vibrant Vice Chair, Ikorodu Local Government, Princess Folashade Olabanji-Oba shared an important prediction ‘in the next 12 years, Nigeria would be a wonderful place to be’.

In his welcoming speech, the President of NAOSNP, Mr Samson Oki noted that the association works in cooperation with all the national security agencies and corporate security organizations with a view to promoting security and checkmating the spread of fake news in the social media space. He, then, charged newsmen especially investigative journalists to ensure check and balance in their reportage and give room for equity and fairness.