World Press Freedom Day: Varsity Don Urges Media On Nation’s Unity

A professor of History and International Studies and Diplomacy and Director Advancement Office, University of Benin, Eddy Erhagbe, has said that the media has a patriotic duty to encourage things that would engender the unity of the country rather than fanning the embers of its disunity.

He disclosed this while speaking  as a special guest lecturer on the theme: “Shaping a future of rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights” during the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) World Press Freedom Day organized by the Edo State chapter of the NUJ in Benin City.

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Prof. Erhagbe said the problem of the country is not about the structure and that those who are calling for its break up due to its size, should look at other countries like Europe and see how they are doing and making progress in their endeavours.

“I want to end on the contentious issue of the unrepentant advocates of the restructuring of Nigeria; especially those that are always wielding the specter of breaking up the country.

“As a historian and expert in international studies, I believe and hold the view that the problem with Nigeria is not the structure of the country of Nigeria but the running of the affairs of the country.

“There are certain extant fallacies about the authenticity of certain geopolitical configurations of pre-colonial Nigeria, this must be corrected, so that we can focus more on conscientiously and truthfully working to emancipate our people rather than hoodwink them by parochialism and religious and ethnic bigotry.

” As stated above, breaking up the country cannot eschew ‘marginalization’ in Nigeria, it cannot stop communal conflicts, it cannot guarantee religious harmony, and worse still, it cannot guarantee better life for millions of Nigerians.

“Developments in the international community point to the fact that even countries of Europe are moving into bigger unions, such as the European Union.

”Furthermore, the size of countries such as the USA and the diversity of their population has not stopped them from developing”, Erhagbe said.

He added that he is joining his voice with those that believe that the country can make it with the right leadership, stressing that, this is the area the Nigerian media can really demonstrate their strength as it has always done.

” I join the ranks of those who believe that Nigeria can make it with the mix of leadership and followers.

“The media has a patriotic duty to encourage those things that would help to engender the unity of Nigeria.

“It has been there before and must continue to do so robustly”, Erhagbe said.

Earlier, the chairman, NUJ Edo State council, Festus Alenkhe, commended Journalists all over the world for holding tenaciously onto the tenet of their profession despite all the attacks and unfriendly environment which they operate in, yet, they have been able to hold government accountable to the people.

He also lauded the practicing Journalists in the state for being professional in their jobs adding that they must not relent but should keep doing their best for the survival of the country.