VICCDA To Buhari: Convoke National Conference On Inter-ethnic Crises Now
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – A non-governmental organisation working to promote good conduct, improve journalists’ ethical conduct and capacity building on the aegis of ‘Vision Centre for Communication and Development Advocacy (VICCDA)’ has called for the immediate convocation of a National Conference to check the current spate of inter-ethnic crises in some parts of the country.
VICCDA said such a conference by the Federal Government should be pan Nigerian in outlook to seek solution to the challenges facing the country.
This is as it expressed grave concern over reports of inter-ethnic clashes across the country which it noted could lead to a civil war, if not immediately checked.
VICCDA explained that such a conference will address the immediate and remote causes of the civil strife and proffer lasting solutions.
This was contained in a statement issued in Abuja by its Acting chairman, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga
In which it further stated the proposed conference, which should be presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari, would be attended by all the state governors, service and other security chiefs, traditional rulers and representatives of relevant interest groups like herders and farmers.
VICCDA further states; “Students of history and international relations would note that no country has ever survived two civil wars. Nigeria cannot therefore afford to be plunged into another avoidable disaster and war when we are supposed to be focussed and accelerate the pace of improving our grossly inadequate infrastructure.
“As the giant of Africa, Nigeria ought to be taking advantage of and derive strength and unity in her diversity and not entertaining ethnic and other primordial sentiments,” it stressed.
VICCDA which is a media-based group, urged the media to display a high sense of professionalism and patriotism at this point in the history of Nigeria by exercising restraint in their reportage of sensitive conflict events.
It further states; “Citizen Journalists and bloggers should not to set our dear country on fire by feeding the public with sensational and unverified reports on inter-ethnic clashes.
“We should always be conscious of the negative effect of some media reports on otherwise peace loving people of Nigeria.
“The possibility of reprisal attacks due to the indiscretion of a reporter is rife, particularly on innocent and hard working Nigerians who have hitherto been cohabiting and living together peacefully over the years in places other than their own,” it noted.
