United States Consul
General in Nigeria, Jeffrey Hawkins has warned Nigerian politicians oliticians and their supporters against engaging in inflammatory rhetoric that would fuel tension and hostilities in the country.
Hawkins said the media by reporting repeated inflammatory quotes of politicians in the print and airwaves should weigh the potential consequences of such reporting against national peace, unity and progress.
In his remarks at the Advanced Political Writing for Political Editors and senior ournalists, the US envoy said the media covering elections have a great professional challenge in which the practitioners should shoulder greater responsibility.
He said the desire for free, fair peaceful and credible elections in Nigeria is high, adding that all party leaders, candidates and the average citizens should meet these expectations within electoral means.
He was hopeful that next month’s general elections would be more peaceful and credible than previous years and would serve as a model of good practice.
Good journalism, Hawkins said is fundamental to an election process that protects the right of all Nigerians to use the ballot box to reflect the views and concerns of various communities and interests regardless of which candidate wins.
He also stressed the need for media reporting to be issues and not personalities driven, pointing out that  informing the electorate about what the candidate has done or pledges to do to mitigate security, fight corruption, increase youth employment, build infrastructure and improving voters education is far better, than personal attacks often seen in the  news media.
However, the US envoy commended the Pan Atlantic University and the Nigerian Guild of Editors {NGE} for partnering with the US embassy to sharpen skills of journalists toward their constructive role in support of Nigeria democratic practices.
The Dean, Pan Atlantic University, Dr Mike Okolo, while welcoming participants at the workshop, told them not to come with a mindset but rather leave the mind open for new idea that would go a long way in shaping understanding of issues of national development
Okolo said the workshop would amount to nothing if participants at the end of the exercise do not bring their experience to bear in improving growth of the society.

Samuel Eleonu