Nigerians have been called upon to elect credible leaders in 2023 general elections that could proffer solutions to the mirage of challenges bedeviling the country rather than considering religion and ethnicity as basis for their choice candidates.
The Rector, Federal Polytechnic Ado Ekiti, Dr. Dayo, Oladebeye gave the charge at a lecture tittled: 2023 ELECTIONS, BEYOND RELIGION, ETHNICITY-THE PLACE OF THE MEDIA as part of activities to mark 2022 NUJ Press Week held on 8th December, 2022 at Sanni Abacha Hall, Old Governor’s Office, Ado Ekiti .
The Rector whose lecture was delivered by a senior lecturer of the institution, Engineer Emmanuel Adeosun said Nigeria was in need of a credible leader who could fix the country not minding religion, ethnic or region where the person hails from.
The Rector emphasized that 2023 election is crucial, hence, Nigerians should view it with seriousness beyond religion and ethnicity.
Pointing at what led Nigeria to this precarious situation, Dr Oladebeye said” Challenges that Nigeria faced was occasioned by Religion and Ethnicity that have bastardized the system coupled with some perceived level of insecurity on the part of government premised on agitation with respect to restructuring for Republic of Biafra and Oduduwa nations”
According to the Rector, “as at August, 2022 ,96.3 million Nigerians had registered to take part in 2023 election,the zeal was as a result of socio- Economic problems facing the Country such as : High rate of unemployment, inflation, poverty e. t.c”
Proffering ways that 2023 elections could be used to correct previous anomalies, the guest speaker charged journalists to educate the masses on issue based campaigns, how to exercise their franchise for them to make choices of those to vote for rather than being overwhelmed with religion and ethnic sentiments.
Stressing that the roles of journalists are important before, during and after 2023 elections for national interest to triumph over religion and Ethnicity sentiments.
In addition the guest speaker enjoined media practitioners to provide comprehensive information devoid of propaganda to the masses for them to make informed choices of candidates to vote for. As he advised government to protect and prioritize the welfare of journalists to enable them discharge their duties with all sincerity.
Also,The Deputy Speaker, Ekiti’ State House of Assembly, Hon Hakeem Jamiu said the solutions to good governance was to elect competent leaders who could fix Nigeria for the masses to enjoy dividends of democracy.
While welcoming the participants , the Chairman of NUJ, Ekiti State Council called on the electorates to keenly examine the manifestos of the candidates contesting to knowing who could lead the country out of” the woods.”
There were good will messages from the leadership of NLC and TUC
Also, the Ekiti State Coordinator of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Mrs. Mary Nenna Chikezie charged Journalists in Ekiti state to assist the Corps members to publicize the benefits of the NYSC Trust Fund to the public.
The Coordinator was represented by the Public Relations Officer, of the NYSC in Ekiti State, Mr. Tunde Odunsi, made the plea during the lecture. He noted that the Trust Fund would go a long way in providing sustainable jobs for corps members, and also avail them the opportunity of sourcing for funds and finance the skills acquired during their service year.
In addition, th Public Relations Officer urged the Corps members who are expected to participate as Adhoc Staff members during the 2023 general elections to be apolitical in all ramifications.
Dignitaries at the lecture include:
Deputy Speaker, Ekiti’ State House of Assembly, Hon Hakeem Jamiu, State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Ekiti State, Pharmacist Olatunde; his counterpart in the Trade Union Congress, TUC, Comrade Sola Adigun; the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, Honourable Taiwo Olatunbosun,PRO Ekiti’ police force ASP Abutu, Representative of Amotekun, Immigration Officers among others.