President Muhammadu Buhari says Nigeria’s hosting the Global Media and Information Literacy Week depicts the country’s commitment to the promotion of media and information literacy.
He made the declaration in Abuja on Monday, at the official opening of the 11th session of the Global Media and Information Literacy Week organized by UNESCO.
The President further stated that the hosting of the event buttresses the mutual relationship existing between Nigeria and UNESCO.
“The hosting of this event is an indication of the growing symbiotic relationship between Nigeria and UNESCO in addressing one of the challenges facing our world.
“It also further amplifies our commitment as a Government and people to the continued implementation of the United Nations General Assembly Resolution on media and information literacy, which calls on all countries around the world to develop and implement policies, actions and strategies related to the promotion of media and information literacy,” he said.
President Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, highlighted the role Nigeria played in the introduction of the global media and information literacy week nine years ago.
“It is pertinent to note that Nigeria played a leading role in giving birth to the global media and information literacy week when our country in 2013 hosted the first global forum for partnership on MIL, tagged “Promoting media and information literacy as a means to cultural diversity” culminating in the UNESCO MIL alliance and ultimately, the global MIL week,” he added.
The President also noted that this year’s theme of the global event underscores the place of trust in sustaining democracy.
“The theme of this year’s Global MIL “Nurturing Trust in Media and Information Literacy Imperative focuses on the use of MIL to address a fundamental element of human and national development which seems to be winning in most societies throughout the world.
“Trust is a key ingredient of democracy and good governance. Without first, our vowed pledge to deliver on our promises as leaders will be impeded by the lack of commitment from the government. As it is evident in our societies, getting reliable information is a constant battle.”
The Nigerian leader pledged that government would continue to promote and execute policies that will promote media information literacy to promote peaceful existence.
“On our part as a government, we will continue to support policies and plans aimed at advocating the use of MIL to create a peaceful and cohesive society where trust and respect for each other become a norm rather than an exception.
“Already, our collaboration with UNESCO and other partners has stimulated the development and promotion of MIL policies at all levels of government as well as strategies aimed at his desire to learn and imbibe the skills of MIL. In furtherance of this mission, we encourage the establishment of the MIL coalition of Nigeria MILCON in 2017, a coalition established to facilitate coordination of interventions on MIL in Nigeria and promote synergy among the stakeholders,” he said.
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