Pledges N1billion to PTF on Covid-19 for campaigns
The association of owners of private and independent television and radio stations in Nigeria, Independent Broadcasting Association of Nigeria, (IBAN), has appealed to the Federal Government and their relevant agencies as well as Nigerians to synergize for greater success in the battle against the rising insecurity facing the nation.
The IBAN, made the passionate appeal for peace and safety in a press statement it issued yesterday on the current security situation facing the country, signed by its Chairman, Guy Murray Bruce and Vice-Chairman, Alh. (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan.
Picture Caption: Alh. (Dr.) Ahmed Tijjani Ramalan
According to the statement, “Nigerians should set aside all forms of primordial sentiments, emotions and agitations, and consider those who kill and destroy innocent lives across the country as our common enemies”, adding that “they must be identified and treated as such”.
Picture Caption: Guy Murray Bruce
It said, “The current challenges of insecurity that have bedeviled Nigeria are undoubtedly of great concern to all well-meaning Nigerians. What started as a regional concern has now become ubiquitous in every part of the country. Today, the level of criminality being perpetrated on a daily basis across the country through acts of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and violent herders/farmers clashes, and the resultant loss of innocent lives and property is unprecedented and therefore, not acceptable by any global standard.
“The danger looming over our nation is real and palpable. Dealing with these challenges requires the collective resolve, determination, commitment and resilience of all Nigerians. It therefore advised that Nigerians must not allow this to befall our country no matter the effort by unpatriotic elements and their foreign collaborators to derail our nationhood.
As a nation, we cannot imagine or contemplate war or disintegration, as all of us will surely be consumed. The path of war must be avoided at all cost. We appeal to those beating the drums of war to immediately truncate this evil enterprise and allow a sense of reasoning to prevail, the IBAN emphasised.
The association reminded Nigerians that security is a collective responsibility requiring the support, collaboration, cooperation and contribution of all Nigerians, adding that, “While the government remains in the vanguard of carrying out its constitutional responsibility of ensuring security and welfare of citizens, without deliberate support and cooperation of Nigerians, government alone cannot succeed.
The IBAN further declared its commitment to continue to partner with the Federal Government to face the challenges caused by Covid-19 pandemic, saying, “We will once again provide free airtime by all IBAN member stations to further enlighten and educate Nigerians on the health benefits of taking safety precautions and encourage Nigerians to get vaccinated when the vaccines become widely available from March 2021.
It therefore disclosed that, “We would be presenting our offer of a billion Naira (N1,000,000,000) worth of airtime to the Presidential Taskforce (PTF) on Covid-19 to work out modalities for the next nationwide TV and radio campaigns in this regard”.
“The future of this nation lies in our ability to move beyond rhetoric and practically build our country and change the narrative that has been portrayed to the world about us, we must all build Nigeria together”, it emphasised.
“As stakeholders in the Nigerian project, and working within the context of the role of the media as the watchdog and conscience of the society, we are determined to continue to play this noble and patriotic role in the overall interest of our great country”, it stated.
The IBAN reiterated its earlier call for calm, peace and unity in the face of the challenges confronting the nation, saying, “As a nation, we have come a long way to truncate the journey. Nigeria is not an accident of history; whatever we find dysfunctional in the system that governs our nation can be resolved through dialogue and appropriate constitutional means.
The IBANs key objective is to address common challenges, foster and enhance relations between its members, key decision makers and stakeholders, while also deploying the platform to promote excellence, innovation and professionalism for the advancement of the Nigerian society.
Over the years, the association has contributed significantly in deepening Nigerias democracy, good governance and development, by expanding the public space for national discourse and engagement on critical national issues.
