Nasarawa Deputy Gov. cautions journalists on stories that will incite,destablize the Country

Mr Silas Agara, the Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, has advised newsmen to focus more on developmental journalism to help Nigeria’s search for a diversified economy.

Agara made the call on Monday in Lafia, when members of the Correspondents’ chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Nasarawa State, paid him a courtesy visit.

He said that diversifying the economy required a cross fertilisation of ideas, and challenged the media to facilitate that.

He cautioned journalists against sensational reports capable of igniting civil or communal disturbances or stories that could incite members of the public against those in authority.

“Nasarawa State is just recovering from a plethora of crises; the media should not force us back to such bad moments,” he said.

He suggested that reports should be geared toward promoting peace and not stir up rancour and acrimony in the land.

The deputy governor reminded the reporters that the image from whatever they filed was the way the world would see the state, hence the need for them to be “positive and responsible”.

He accused the reporters of “poor coverage” of government’s achievements, and called for a greater collaboration toward speedy progress.

Earlier, the chairman of the chapel, Mr Suleiman Abubakar, had pledged the support of the union towards effective coverage of government activities, and particularly stressed his chapel’s commitment to objectivity.

He urged the government to carry journalists along in its activities, and also stressed the need for an open system that would eliminate suspicion, rumour mongering and distrust.