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Tag: speech

  • Adebule cautions electorate against hate speech, violence

    Lagos State Deputy Governor Dr. Idiat Adebule yesterday warned the public against hate speech and any conduct that could lead to violence during the forthcoming elections.

    She spoke during an annual prayer for the nation organised by the Fatima Charity Foundation (FCF), at Muson Centre, Onikan.

    According to her, the regulations of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are enough to make the process peaceful only if Nigerians abide by them.

    She hailed the foundation for introducing interdenominational groups into the annual programme.

    Bringing Christians and Muslims together under one roof, she said, would promote peace and understanding.

    “We are trying to create harmonious relationship between religious groups by promoting the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) at state and local government levels. If only we can keep to things that bind us and refrain from those that divide us, it will be good for our nation,” she said.

    FCF President Chief Bintu-Fatima Tinubu said the yearly event was conceived to addressing the nation’s challenges.

    “Your presence here today (yesterday) underscores your desire to see a greater and better Nigeria we all clamour for. And in retrospect, good leadership and good governance form an integral part of every great nation. Nevertheless our common philosophy is to see Nigeria develop, prosper and re-affirm itself as the pride and giant of Africa,” she said.

    The theme: Democracy: For whose benefit? she said, was a significant question to ponder on a time like this when election is coming.

    Mrs Tinubu, the Iyalode of Lagos, said: “The politics we practise must not be a do or die affair. We must all be conscious of the word of God in the Holy Quran which says – Allah is the owner of sovereignty. He gives sovereignty to whom He will and withdraws sovereignty from whom He will; He exalts whom He will and He abases whom He will. In His Hand is all good, He is able to do all things.

    “We must bear in mind that in any contest, there are winners and losers and there are  always opportunities to give it another try. Therefore, the collective goal should be to deliver a sustainable democracy that has the people and the country as its focal point.”

    Deputy President-General of Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Sakariyahu Babalola, who chaired the event, said there was no substitute for peace.

    Represented by the Managing Director, Istabaraqim Nigeria Limited, Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, Babalola urged Nigerians, politicians in particular, not to take peace for granted.

    According to him, Allah gives power to whom He will.

    “Our politicians must know that somebody will win, somebody will lose. If you miss something you strive for, it is a good thing for you,” he said.

    The guest speakers, Pastor Ituah Ighodalo, General Overseer of the Trinity Church and SheikhAbdurRahman Ahmad, Chief Missioner of Ansar-ud-Deen Society of Nigeria (Worldwide), called on Nigerians to hold their leaders accountable.

    Ighodalo said Nigerians had not enjoyed dividends of democracy in the last 20 years.

    Ahmad said the electorate  had no say in those chosen to vie for offices.

    “And unfortunately our votes do not count. We can to a large extent predict who will win election in Lagos State today,” he said.

    Democracy, he said, should achieve five things, namely security of lives and property, prosperity, equality, justice and liberty.

    These, he said, are eluding Nigerians.

  • IPC worried over increase in hate speech, fake news

    The International Press Centre (IPC), Lagos has expressed worry on the increase  in fake news, unprofessional reporting and hate speech in the social media space which may mar the smooth conduct of the 2019 general election if not checked.

    To nip the problem in the bud, the organisation recently organised a workshop Conflict Sensitive Reporting for online Journalists and bloggers across the country.

    With support from the European Union-Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) project, the second part of the workshop held at the Grand Pela Hotels, Abuja for media practitioners from the North, South East and South South regions of the country.

    Speaking during the opening ceremony of the two-day training, the president of IPC Mr. Lanre Arogundade, said the training became necessary because of some evidence that hate speech actually flourishes in the online environment.

    Arogundade who was represented by IPC Program Manager Stella Nwofia, pointed out that the online environment now occupies a very central place in media operations, as it now offers a converging point for all the traditional and conventional media.

    He noted that with the 2019 general elections approaching, it became necessary to remind participants on the rules of engagement with regards to elections reporting and conflicts therein.

    The Director drew the attention of the participants to section four (4) of the Nigerian Media Code of Election Report (revised edition 2018) where ‘Hate Speech’ was singled out as a menace in online reporting and elections conflicts.

    Arogundade said Nigeria has a large population of internet users, and as a result there is a rapid increase in the number of journalists offering to practise online to reach this ‘Internet or online population’.

    He however, noted that the activities of the practitioners should help checkmate the menace of hate speech and conflicts in the country.

    He said :“the online now covers Radio, Television and the Print – such that we now speak of media convergence. The online media now offers a broad spectrum of information and dissemination as well as access to the media by millions if not billions of Internet users be they as individuals or groups”.

    “With the large population of internet users in Nigeria, there is a rapid increase in the number of journalists offering to practise online to reach this ‘Internet or Online population’.

    “What all this means is that we simply cannot ignore what goes on Online in the name of journalism especially against the background of growing perception that online media and social media platforms are the major harbingers of hate speech and stokers of inciting flames.

    “it is feared that in the realm of politics, violent conflict during elections could occur if online journalism practitioners and bloggers refuse to embrace conflict sensitive principles.

    “The emerging consensus therefore is that online journalists and bloggers need to strive to do better so they could be part of efforts that seek to remove hate narratives from political communication as a way of making the electoral environment healthier.”

    He urged the participants to understand and imbibe the principles of fairness, diversity and objectivity in reporting the electoral process and the elections.

    “Our expectation is that the online media would be used as a platform for fair, balanced, language sensitive and conflict sensitive reporting of the elections”.

    He commended the European Union for its support that made the training possible through Component 4b: Support to the Media of the European Union Support for Democratic Governance in Nigeria (EU-SDGN) project.

    “In the above regard, it is expected that this training will help participants to understand and imbibe the principles of fairness, diversity and objectivity in reporting the electoral process and the elections”.

    He said that the Centre expects the online media practitioners to use their platforms for fair, balanced report, language sensitive and conflict sensitive reporting of the elections.

    Leading a session on ‘Social Media & Elections: Giving Practical Effect to Conflict Sensitive Reporting Online’, the Editor-In-Chief, Premium Times, Abuja, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, advocated for fair and balanced news reporting by the practitioners.

    He also cautioned against hate speech and conflict-inducing headlines.

    “Therefore, the need to be cautious has risen, especially when we cast headlines; as conflict can be triggered by ambiguity in communication intended by the journalist involved.

    “Thus, when issues arise in the society, journalists can provide parties with the information that convoke wise decisions in managing and resolving conflicts. Always remember that your ‘business’ thrives only when Nigeria is peaceful,”

    He went further to enumerate how online journalists can make a difference in the profession.

    The Editor-in-Chief of Premium Times, further urged the participants to “Be proactive and careful with translation (intended meaning or language) and to avoid  the use of offensive and graphic images or videos”

    In her presentation on ‘Understanding Conflict, its Nature and Character’, Dr. Ruqayyah Yusuf Aliyu of the Department of Information and Media Studies, Bayero University, Kano State, described conflicts as a natural and inevitable occurrence orchestrated by perceived threats while mutual respects is the antidote.

    She classified conflicts into seven; namely: intrapersonal, inter-personal, Intra-group, party factions, Inter-group, intra-society and international conflicts.

    On hate speech and fake news, she urged online media practitioners to be abreast of the cardinals of journalism to guide against escalating the scourge which is capable of causing breakdown of law and order in the entire country.

    She cautioned the practitioners from sourcing news from social media, especially without verifiable sources.

    According to the Facilitator, identified embellished news reports with tribal, ethnic and religious undertone are purveyors of conflicts in the Nigerian setting.

    Similarly, the Executive Director, CITAD, Kano, Dr. Y.Z. Ya’u, facilitated discussions on ‘Contemporary Conflicts in Nigeria and Possible Impact on Media Coverage of 2019 General Elections’, urging all stakeholders to work harmoniously towards conflict-minimised 2019 general elections.

    “Online journalists in particular must not fail to uphold peace through reporting, especially those that fuel conflicts like Boko Haram, Political-thugs, IPOB, etc.

    “You are required to be very careful about certain colourations which tend to depict individuals in the form of Hate Speech. For instance, some individuals are reported in the media as sympathisers of Boko Haram, IPOB, Militants, etc.

    “It is important to understand the root or what the conflict is all about before reporting to avoid inflammatory reportage.

    He however warned that the fear of fake News should not incapacitate journalists from carrying out their duties effectively.

    “The answer to it is investigative journalism as today fake organisations are issuing press releases to incite people against others”, the ED of CITAD, Kano, said.

  • Group hails President’s achievements, speech

    INTER Party Advisory Council (IPAC) National Chairman Muhammed Nalado has hailed the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari led-All Progressives Congress (APC) administration as read in his democracy day speech.

    Nalado, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja yesterday, said the achievements listed in Buhari’s speech were verifiable and that Nigerians could judge them.

    He said the fight against corruption by the Buhari-led administration had helped to correct a lot of wrong practices, adding that it had brought the country back on track.

    “In the area of security, even though we still have insecurity challenge, this administration has been able to reduce it, though government can still do more to protect Nigerians.

    “The insecurity in the Northeast has reduced and the numbers of road blocks across the country have reduced.

    “Our foreign reserve has also increased. Many children are now benefiting from the Home Grown School Feeding Programme. I believe in what Buhari said he has done,” he said.

    He added that government policy on diversification had also helped many Nigerians to go back to farming unlike before that the country’s economy relied solely on oil revenue.

    Nalado also said Nigerians have course to celebrate democracy day, saying the sustained long years of democracy was an evidence that politicians and democratic governments were back on track, in spite of contrary opinions.

     

     

  • El-Rufai’s hate speech signposts danger

    IT doesn’t seem like anything or anyone can curb the dangerous populism and messianic disposition of the Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai. He has always been controversial, loquacious, arrogant, undemocratic and impertinent. Now he is adding to his repertoire the more frightening attributes of populism and propagandism, probably as telling and destructive as those of any fascist regime. He is naturally opposed to the concept of democracy, and cannot understand that it is part of democracy to disagree peacefully with his friends as well as his enemies. Speaking during a rally at the Kaduna Township Stadium last Friday in preparation for the state’s local government poll, Mallam el-Rufai used the opportunity to assassinate the characters of the state’s three senators, Senators Shehu Sani, Suleiman Hunkuyi and Danjuma Leah. He accused them of blocking the states $350m loan request from the World Bank.

    Here is what he told the rally as reported by Cable online: “The senators from the state who worked against the World Bank loan are useless; they came out and said this loan should not be given. What is their reason for rejecting the loan? It is because they are haters of the masses in Kaduna state. If a road project is initiated in your town, they don’t want it to be completed. If we start renovating a hospital, they don’t want it to be completed. If five schools are renovated and 10 are remaining, they will not want the remaining 10 to be renovated. Today, there are no haters of the masses of Kaduna state like Shehu Sani, Suleiman Hunkuyi and Danjuma Laah, God will curse them. God will reward their wickedness against the masses. May God never bless them…Members of our state assembly who gave us their cooperation before the World Bank approved the loan to us, may God bless them and may God return them to their seats in 2019. But those ones that are cursed, if they come to Kaduna, shave their heads and beard. They have shown that they are bastards, they have no origin, therefore, it is important to tell them that they did not originate from this state…Their major concern is to amass money at the expense of their people. The electorate are at liberty to call their bluff, and this is the right time.”

    Nigerians are unlikely to find a worse hate speech anywhere. A governor could in theory turn his state into an oasis of democratic charm and fecundity in a vast desert of intolerance. It was erroneously thought that the eloquent and hugely polemical Mallam el-Rufai would be that man. How he was, therefore, not personally discomfited by the hateful and spiteful abuse he spewed out against the three Kaduna senators may not be unconnected with his other natural but repressed instinct for intolerance, an example of which he showed in Zaria in December 2015 when the State murdered 347 Shiites in cold blood.

    Nigerians must begin gradually to admit that three years ago, they unwisely entrusted their democracy to many closet fascists. These hardened and adamant fellows will brook no opposition, continue to exude contempt for press freedom and free speech, and imbibe the habits and manners of despots. Compared with the likes of Mallam el-Rufai, Nigerians now know that past governors were angels and democrats par excellence. The next general elections should, therefore, not just be an opportunity to cavort in the democratic fiesta of balloting; it should be a sober time of reclaiming democracy from the clenched fists and closed minds of Nigeria’s tin-pot messiahs, irredentists and conceited and despicable autocrats.

  • Media scholars advocate self-regulatory system against hate speech

    Media scholars advocate self-regulatory system against hate speech

    Media scholars have advocated the need to put in place a self-regulatory system and intensify activities aimed at sensitising the media community about the industry standard to avoid high-level of hate speech and partisanship in the coverage of election.

    Speaking at a Media Project Stakeholders Meeting organised by the Institute for Media and Society (IMS) as part of the support to the media component of the European Union (EU) Support to Democratic Governance in Nigeria Project, Executive Director of Media Rights Agenda Edetaen Ojo said there is a consensus that there were disturbing levels of hate speech and partisanship in the coverage of the 2015 elections by many media outlets.

    He said since then, no concerted effort has been made to address the problem, although various government officials and other stakeholders have repeatedly expressed concern about the challenge posed by hate speech to both the electoral process and public discourse.

    He said: “There is a risk that if the media community does nothing to address this problem, government could take legislative measures in response and this would most likely be in the form of criminal law.

    “In order to address this problem and other breaches of professional standards ahead of the 2019 elections, the media community should make efforts to put in place a self-regulatory system and intensify activities aimed at sensitising the media community about the industry standard.

    “I believe that there is a move to update the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage that was developed ahead of the 2015 elections to make it more comprehensive.  I am in complete support of such an effort.

    “A major challenge with the Nigerian Media Code of Election Coverage was that it was developed too close to the 2015 elections as a result of which not much could be done to familiarise media practitioners with the contents and standards contained in the Code. It was therefore not possible to fully apply the Code in the context of the 2015 elections and to assess its effectiveness.

    “The media community, which collaborated to develop that Code, now needs to urgently revise and update it so that the final document can be read far ahead of the 2019 elections and the necessary sensitisation carried out.”

  • I Go Dye gets award for anti-graft speech

    I Go Dye gets award for anti-graft speech

    •Dedicates honour to pensioners

    Popular comedian, Francis Agoda, better known as I Go Dye, has been honoured by Ukaid and Youth Alive Foundation, for lending his voice to speak against ills in the society.

    Recently, the comedian has been in the news for speaking on different issues that have to do with Nigeria, including corruption, welfare of the youths, good leadership, among others.

    Sharing the good news on his Instagram handle, the comedian wrote, “First I thank Ukaid and Youth Alive Foundation for this, making a difference against corruption today. I am humbled to receive this honour and I feel more obligated to influence my generation to live selflessly”.

    Dedicating the award to pensioners, he stated, “Consequently, I dedicate this award to all pensioners across the country and their children, whom have suffered so much for their families, bearing in mind that their parents worked selflessly for this nation, yet they have faced series of tribulations, just trying to get their pension entitlements.

    “Many of these pensioner’s children have continued to walk the endless journey of accompanying their loved across the country. Honestly, their children and next of kin have gone through a lot. I commend their sacrifices.

    “I want to once again remind us, that the issue of corruption witnessed against pensioners is the highest form of ill treatment against humanity, denying them their benefits is unimaginable in a society like ours that has no social welfare package for elderly people. We all should speak now for their comfort, because this is part of the reasons why young people hate public service and when they often get employment they see it as a means to steal public funds to preserve them against foreseeable situations facing pensioners across the nation.”

    I go dye was recently in the news when he wrote an open letter to former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, asking him to quit using sentimental empathy on the youths to express his political ambition.

  • No to hate speech, yes to restructuring!

    Those who governed well did not arm, those who were armed well did not set up battle lines, those who set up battle lines well did not fight, those who fought well did not lose, and those who lost well did not perish – Zhuge Liang, third century.

    It was the legendary essayist C.P. Scott who once wrote that ‘Comment is free, but facts are sacred’. This statement has endured over the years as the strategic point of reference for free speech and indeed free press in a democracy and it will continue to underscore the way individuals and political leaders conduct themselves in the public arena. However, recent hate speeches, messages and comments coming from the perfidious and distressed leaders of political parties, pseudo – intellectual analysts, ethnic extremists and the media is disquieting and awkward at this time of our nation-building efforts.

    Today, the traditional and social media is being used by mischief-makers, conceited individuals and ethnic organisations across the political divide to threaten and taunt us with footage of their most horrendous and atrocious acts of communication barbarity and hateful messages.  Nevertheless, in my view, the most difficult new element is the attraction that a tiny but relevant majority of Nigerians have seen this hate speech to the point that they are ready to internalize the messages as true and sacrosanct. Therefore, it will require a much more difficult and long-term effort to win back the hearts and minds of people that today seek to destroy the society because of their selfish desires. Equally worrisome, is the government disregard for structured national debates and dialogue to unveil strategy and action plans to resolving the knotty issues of fiscal federalism, constitutional reforms, justice and transparency, which are the hallmarks of sustainable democracy.

    This article draws attention to a few of the complex interrelated issues of hate speech and propaganda rather than the fundamental issues of nation- building and the uncensored social media rape on our collective consciousness as people and a nation. The challenges ahead in my view are undeniably serious for our democratic enterprise and the likely fall-out of uncontrollable hostility cannot be ruled out and as people we must be vigilant not truncate this democratic milestone.

    For the avoidance of doubt, hate speech is one which attacks a person or group based on label, ethnicity, gender or religious persuasion. It can be propagated through spoken words, gesture or conduct, writing, or display, which, is forbidden in many countries because it incites violence or prejudice against a group or individual based on their membership of the group.

    While there is unprecedented interest in the devolution of power, fiscal federalism and restructuring and the fundamental rights of every Nigerian to defend their democratic principles and values as well as the expressions of solidarity for a better country, we should walk and speak cautiously and avoid the bullish media manipulations and the outward show of shame that has characterised the conversations for true federalism so far.

    Most nerve-racking of all in my view is the increasing socio-political affectation from the various ethnic groups and the untamed falsehood resonating from press releases, interviews, conferences and indeed the town hall meetings by their narrow-minded leaders and obscure supporters which can only predict trouble for the nation.

    Sadly, content analysis of the Nigerian media particularly newspapers could easily leave one with the impression of extreme anxiety by our leaders and the political culture of improbability that is evolving and the half-hearted speeches of a do or die restructuring that is spreading like harmattan fire and it is likely to consume us as a nation if self-regulation is not brought to bear in our national dialogue and conversations.

    Therefore, going forward, we must draw insights and lessons from other jurisdiction like Ethiopia. It is instructive to note that in 1996, the 14 historical provinces of Ethiopia were dissolved and nine autonomous regions and two chartered cities – Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa were created to replace them. Six of these regions are inhabited almost entirely by a single ethnic group each, with the three remaining regions more ethnically diverse. The federal authorities deal with issues of national concern, including economic and social development, national standards and policy criteria for health and education, defence, federal police, foreign policy, foreign commerce, and immigration. Therefore, the renewed calls of restructuring of the Nigeria state is a welcome development but a workable document, must be brought to the table and each groups canvass critical positions for the creation of autonomous regions in line with resource endowment and homogenous ethnic group through referendum, which is not in  the 1999 constitution.

    Disappointedly, the leadership at all levels in my view has not set the moral, ethical, social, motivational climate in their narratives and blueprint to earn the untainted trust of the average Nigerian. What is more is that their actions and inactions do not reflect the moral and reputational compass that we required as a people to retool this great nation.

    Besides, the quality of message, resources and presentation skills of what constitute the critical milestone for nation-building are totally absent from their body language and utterances. Reasonably, there are institutional frameworks and conference reports irrespective the conveners that address the core issues of our nationhood. Therefore, it is expedient that we adopt citizens’ diplomacy to lobby and take steps as pressure groups through the National Assembly to do needful.

    Pointedly, one of the damaging impact of hate speech on good governance will be the erosion of social and moral fabric of the Nigerian society which will weaken institutions, undermine leadership competency, accommodation of alternative views, diversity of opinions and more importantly, mediocrity is sacrificed at the negative altar of representation by constituent parts which has been one of the bane nation-building efforts in Nigeria.

    All things considered, the radicalization of the traditional and social media space and the complex phenomenon of Nigerians embracing subtle but radical ideology of ethnicity and hate, which are very disturbing trends,  must be checked, by deliberate and a sustained national conversations that put the nation above all interest and the time is now!

     

    • Orovwuje is founder, Humanitarian Care for Displaced Persons, Lagos.

  • Between hate action and speech

    The threat by the federal government to criminalize the bizarre fad of unbridled demonization of other ethnic groups, religions, cultures and even neighbourhoods, by ethnic champions, schizophrenias or mere social scallywags, has thrown up several contradictions.

    One of the challenges is how to differentiate between a hate speech and a fair comment especially with the wide-spread bad governance that induces anger. But also condemnable and deserving attention is hate action, especially by those in authority, considering that it could be more insidious and treacherous than hate speech.

    Of course, a fair comment does not connote favourable comment, unless one is guided by the obnoxious provisions of the infamous Decree 4 of 1984 – one of the sully remembrances of President Muhammadu Buhari’s earlier incarnation as military head of state. But significantly, this time, it was Vice President Professor Yemi Osinbajo, an erudite constitutional law teacher who pushed the argument to link hate speech to terrorist conducts, while serving as acting President.

    Perhaps the promoters of the proposed law intend to promulgate a new federal act to curb the scourge, or as some have advocated they will rely on the provision of the terrorism act, by equating statements that could arouse hate-conduct, to actual terrorist conduct, to achieve their objectives. In fairness to the promoters, some of the statements credited to the ethnic warlords, including the musical variant, rankles.

    But, some of the supporters of the criminalization of hate speeches are pushing for an elastic criminalisation of speeches so long as it will conflagrate a hated ethnic group or culture or religion or persons. Those on the opposing side despise the champions of criminalizing hate speech; and are quick to refer to variants of hate speeches, made in the past by those now in government, especially in their effort to win the last election.

    So, between the promoters of a law against hate speech and the opponents of criminalizing hate speech, there appears to be incipient hatred and contempt for the other. In essence, even before the law is promulgated, or the term is clearly defined, the effort has already further polarised the society instead of uniting it against a bad cause. A comparable dilemma in the Nigeria menu is what does restructuring mean?

    But even as we contend with the definition of hate speech and what to do about it, I think it will be fair to treat hate action similarly. Let’s use a husband and wife that fight as a template to set a comparison. As is most common, whether arising from biological or cultural make-up in the home when there is a quarrel, while a wife engages in a ‘hate speech’, a husband engages in a ‘hate action’. Usually a wife would curse and spew ‘hate speeches’ against the husband, and that is bad.

    On his part, the husband will usually act a taciturn, but when determined to engage in hate action, will lock up the doors, pummel and abuse the wife without uttering a word. Of course with the wife kicking and cursing the husband and his generations, a neighbour who refuses to come to her aid or peep through the window will go away with the impression that the wife is the worst culprit in the imbroglio.

    The above scenario can be juxtaposed with what is happening in Nigeria in many instances. Take the issue of restructuring for instance. While the weaker party in the Nigerian marriage is kicking and cursing in an attempt to force a redefinition of the terms of the marriage, the stronger party, with the stronger political muscles under the current arrangement, is acting dumb and pretending not to understand the meaning of restructuring.

    Yet, the stronger party has pinned the weaker party to the ground, and while uttering few words, is however pummelling the weaker party to submit. In the meantime those incapable of reading the situation objectively are arguing that the weaker party is merely looking for trouble and raising unnecessary dust. One example is the use of disputed census numbers, number of local governments and other disputed criteria, to determine the sharing formula of the revenues forcibly appropriated from the states while pretending that it is normal in a federal system of government.

    Another example is ignoring the constitutional provisions on the spread of appointments, by concentrating appointments in the appointer’s region, while pretending that it is based on merit. For instance, at the inception of PMB’s presidency, the government was accused of appointing nearly all the security chiefs from a part of the country and completely leaving out the south-east geopolitical zone. While the presidency played the taciturn, some of its sympathisers made lame excuses in attempt to justify the conduct.

    Recently, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) reorganised its top management. Again acting unconstitutionally, disproportionate majority of the appointees came from a part of the country, and the south-east was again left out, even when a part of it is an oil bearing state. The consternation over that conduct which is trending in the social media describes the hate action as going well beyond the proverbial red line, set by the President with respect to hate speech.

    Similar hate action took place recently in the Nigerian LNG employment saga. There, the Finima community whose land was forcibly taken over by the federal government to build the conglomerate and its allied infrastructure was relegated in the employment opportunities. While the land owning community got scant chance, communities in far flung areas, which do not suffer Finima’s inconveniences, but which control the levers of government, got preferences.

    Of course, if the Finima or any of the other abused groups should raise their voice in demand for a fairer and more equitable treatment; and where they are ignored, they become trenchant and abusive of those oppressing them by hate actions, they run the risk of being accused of engaging in hate speech. If they raise the ante and call for a renegotiation of the rules of engagement, they stand the risk of being accused of working for the disintegration of the country.

    Furthermore, if their demand for renegotiation is ignored or they foresee the futility of such approach, and they rather ask directly for a dissolution of the unfair union, they stand the risk of being accused of engaging in treasonable felony; with the consequences that the coercive powers of the forces they complain against will be unleashed on them. Of course, with many unable to follow or choosing to ignore the sequence, starting from the maltreatment, before the abusive tantrums; the abused is considered the trouble maker.

    For me, the challenge before those in authority working assiduously to criminalize hate speech is to first criminalize or eliminate hate action. Unless they don’t give a damn, there is the possibility that more despicable hate speeches will continue, to add to the disgusting hate actions and induced crisis facing our dear country.

  • PFN urges tribal leaders to eschew hate speech

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has called on the political class and tribal leaders to eschew hate speeches if they want a strong, virile and united Nigeria.

    It said it was important for all Nigerians to imbibe and adopt the spirit of selfless life for the purpose of moving the nation forward.

    National President of PFN, Reverend Felix Omobude, who stated this in his Sallah message, urged the Muslim faithful to demonstrate the virtues of love and sacrifice which are the hallmarks of the Eid-El-Kabir festival.

    Dr. Omobude’s Sallah message, which was contained in a press statement endorsed by his media aide, Deacon Ralph Okhiria, enjoined the adherents of Islam to be obedient to God by showing love towards one another.

    According to the statement, “The two holy books (the Bible and the Koran) talk about sacrifice. Therefore, we should be ready at all times to sacrifice for one another, irrespective of our religious affiliations, and also to make the desired sacrifices for the peace, growth and development of Nigeria.

    “With fervent prayer and love, Nigerians can live together in peace as brothers and sisters, and contribute to the progress and unity of the country.

    “It is important for all Nigerians to imbibe and adopt a spirit of living a selfless life for the purpose of moving our great nation forward.”

  • Hate speech: We must be careful

    SIR: When reasonable avenues are opened for people to express themselves without fear or unnecessary gagging, inherent inferences are drawn from contending national issues for immediate resolutions. However, when political leaders become ‘know-it-all’ and hence become acutely intolerant to differing opinions, emotions and angers of people are bottled-up overtime and later explode to social imbroglios and national calamity.

    In a nation where the political class is swimming in affluence and the downtrodden masses are further confined to the state of irrecoverable poverty, there is bound to be hate speech. Also, when youths/graduates are massively unemployed, under the nasty grip of hunger and starvation, hate speech cannot be ignored. When people have lost hope in the system because of adventures of leaders, hate speech cannot be ignored. Hence, our political leaders are encouraged to uplift our nose-diving welfare through realistic dividends of democracy and not degrade it through selfish pursuits.

    The question is: what is the government doing convincingly to mitigate present prevalent poverty and hunger among her citizens? What is the strategy to turn around the skewed vice of illegal wealth accumulation among political leaders that has become the basis of massive corruption, kidnapping for ransom, ritual killings, internet frauds, political killings, etc.?

    It is an irony that our so called-leaders are now considering hate speech as a national aberration when some of them got to power through spiteful actions/statements against other political contenders. What will they do to dubious leaders (among them) who were involved in looting the pubic treasury in plainly crude and intelligent manner? Is the law against hate speech an ideal panacea to resolving its causal factors? Ideally, there should be proper penalties to sanction political leaders who siphoned our resources, demeaned our society and brought us to this hateful condition. A reasonable law should also suffice to deter political leaders from siphoning our collective resources and further confining the poor masses to the bay of suffering and hopelessness.

    No individual, group, press, association, etc., should be gagged from saying or writing or dissemination obvious truths in whatever manner that they deem proper through draconian law.

    The strategic inducement of fear to dampen legal complaints of poor people and their quests for reliable political change will not work under a polity universally acknowledged as politically-heated. We must prevent utopianism in power that can lead to display of absolute power. Dubious hijackers of electioneering process for selfish gains, mandate grabbers and political marauders desperately lusting after self-succession or sit-tight in power must be checked by ‘Eagle Eyes’ of watchful Nigerians.

     

    • Akinniyi Joseph Akinwumi,

    Lagos.