Nigeria’s Minister of State Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubair Dada has urged Journalists to checkmate the proliferation of fake news in the country .
Ambassador Zubairu Dada stated this during 2022 Niger State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists Press Week, with the theme: ‘Journalist as Indispensable Allies In Tackling Problems of Fake News,’ in Minna the State Capital .
Ambassador Zubairu Dada emphasized that Journalism is a noble profession saddled with responsibility of setting agenda in the society.
The Minister who commended the executives of NUJ Niger state Council for their commitment and foresight in piloting their affairs, mentioned that collective efforts by Nigerians is required in moving the country forward.
Niger state Governor Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello represented by the Secretary to the state government Rahim Matane at the occasion, explained that fake news has lead to the relocation of many communities to other locations thereby leading to loss of lives and properties which he said must be squarely addressed.
“Niger state government in partnership with Federal Government are doing everything possible to ensure and guarantee safety and lives and properties of Nigerlites within the shortest possible time,” added Gov Sani Bello.
Niger state Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr Emmanuel Umar Musa lamented that Federal Government presence on the issue of insecurity in Niger state has been very minimal and stressed the need for all hands to be on deck tackle such problem.
National President of NUJ Comrade Chris Asiguzo explained that fake news has lead to communal political and religious crisis.
The Chairman Niger state Council of the Nigerian Union of Journalists Comrade Abu Nmodu, said Journalists have actually left to bring back democracy as well as promotion of democratic value and practice across the Nation.
“We cannot allow fake news to overshadow our patriotic role especially now that we are being faced with security challenges that put us and other Nigerians on the line of dangers,“ added Abu Nmodu.
