Obama Congratulates Jonathan …Flays Electoral Violence

United States of America (USA) President, Barrack Obama has congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan on his election victory, but described as “deplorable” the post-election violence that followed the April 16 presidential election.

Obama also commended Nigerians for their resolve and patience during April’s historic presidential, legislative and gubernatorial elections’’.

A White House statement said Obama conveyed his support to Nigeria during a telephone conversation with Jonathan last Wednesday.

“As I told President Jonathan, I look forward to strengthening our partnership with Nigeria so that this and future generations of Nigerians can live in peace, democracy and prosperity,” Obama said.

The U.S president said the “success of the elections was a testament to Nigerian voters who waited in long lines, stayed to watch their votes counted and were  determined that these elections marked a new chapter in Nigerian history.”

He commended Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), members of the National Youth Service Corps and Nigeria’s vibrant civil society, for playing a role in ensuring that the final results reflected the will of the Nigerian people.

He urged Nigerians to also ensure that authorities “investigate and address” any allegations of fraud or irregularities.

Condemning the post-election crisis in the country, Obama said: “Violence has no place in a democratic society and it is the responsibility of all Nigerians to reject it.

“ Democracy, however, neither begins nor ends with elections.

“Now is the time for Nigeria’s leaders and its people to come together and build the future that they deserve —a multi-party democracy that addresses the aspirations of all Nigerians, especially its youth, who did so much to make the recent elections a success, and who will define the nation’s future,” he said.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Terrence McCulley, has lauded the Nigerian media for its comprehensive coverage of the just-concluded 2011 general elections.

McCulley gave this commendation on Wednesday in Abuja at the World Press Freedom Day Training organised by the UNESCO in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).

He noted that several reports by election watchers and the media indicated that a vibrant and tech savvy media influenced the electoral process in Nigeria.

The US envoy said : “With this election, Nigerians have made their mark on the social media sphere.

“And it is now time to harness the forum in holding elected leaders accountable to ensure good governance and economic growth Nigerians deserve.

“As Nigeria prepares for the swearing in of the fourth democratically-elected civilian administration on May 29, its citizens are actively debating the role played by social media in the outcome of the elections,’’ he said.

He said the establishment and fostering of an independent, pluralistic and free press was essential to the development of civil society and democracy across the globe.

McCulley further noted that the new frontiers of social media and the internet were building bridges by creating a community of informed citizenry and offering a platform for association.

According to him, social media users are also playing a starring role in the drama unfolding in the Middle East and North America.

“In many countries in the region, including Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria, the internet is serving as a catalyst for journalists, activists and ordinary citizens to connect with each other and participate in online dialogue about changing world.

“In this new public space crowded with news and chatter, journalists play an essential role in searching for the truth, analysing trends, maintaining credibility and providing reports to serve the public,’’ he said.

McCulley explained that the arrival of the digital age and the evolution of the internet brought about emergence of new forms of media and the rise of online social network.

In a presentation, Prof. Kwaghikondo Agber of the Department of Media Arts, University of Abuja, described satellites, fibre optic and internet as new technologies that had linked the world into a web.

He said the new communication technologies had dramatically altered the face of information dissemination and journalism practice across the world.

“They have greatly reduced the cost of doing journalism business and the time it takes to do it. It has also reduced the barriers of distance.

“However, there are barriers being introduced by many countries on the use of the new technologies. These include tariffs, denial of access and direct censorship,’’ he noted.

Noting that the actions inhibited access to information that could propel societies, the don urged the government to allow all citizens free access to information.

Our correspondent reports that the World Press Freedom Day, established by the UN, is observed annually worldwide on May 3 to celebrate the principle of press freedom and honour those who died in the practice of journalism.

In his speech, the National President of NUJ, Malam Muhammad Garba, thanked God for sparing the lives of newsmen who covered the general elections.

Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom, King Dandeson Jaja (left) chatting with newly elected member of House of Representatives, Hon Dakuku Peterside, during the duistingushed citizens Honorary Awards at Opobo Town, recently.