Imo Diaspora frowns at fake news about Uzodimma, others
The Convener and Coordinator Imo Diaspora Support for Governor Hope Uzodimma, Chief Nnanna Okere, has charged media practitioners in Nigeria to be conscious of fake news, even as he charged them to be “information champions” that would help in transforming the society by accurately reporting events as they happen.
Okere spoke against the backdrop of a fake report that claimed that Gov Uzodimma rejected the result of September 19 Edo election.
Okere, who congratulated Nigerians on the forthcoming 60th Independence Anniversary of the country, noted that all these fake news are distractions aimed at discouraging Governor Uzodimma’s vision of taking Imo State to the next level.
He disclosed that distractions have become a veritable instruments employed by those who are opposed to the emergence of Senator Hope Uzodinma as the governor of Imo State and his shared prosperity agenda.
He said, “Distraction is a veritable instrument to run a system down and fake news is a typical example of distraction. Nothing kills a system, nation, organization, family fast than distractions. If you are distracted whether as an individual, a family, a nation or an organization you cannot do much. All these developments in Imo State against the shared prosperity government of Governor Hope Uzodimma ranging from endless litigations to fake news are all, distractions to bring the government down.”
He insisted that Imo State under the watch of Governor Hope Uzodinma can be likened to Nigeria. “For example, all these security challenges in Nigeria such as the Boko Haram insurgency, bandits , kidnapping , agitations for Independent State of Biafra by the IPOB, Oduduwa agitation ,Niger Delta militants, and what have you in the Middle Belt region are all distractions to keep Nigeria from developing by internal or external forces.”
“If Nigeria should enjoy relative stability for 10 years I assure you, Nigeria will be a super power economically or anything you can think of because we have all it takes to be a great nation.. However, to narrow it down, if Governor Uzodimma is relatively free from distractions, in less than two years he will definitely take Imo State to a development orientated Eldorado,” he added.
He urged Nigerians to be mindful of what they post or alleged both on traditional media or the social media as they may be called upon to substantiate it as fake news has consequences.
Okere, the conflict management expert who is passionate about the administration of Uzodimma and campaigned vigorously for his election, prayed for peace in resolving the security challenges in the country to enhance the rapid socio-economic advancement of the country as Nigeria celebrates her 60 years of nationhood.
He admonished Nigerians to forget about the country’s differences and see themselves as one family united by fate. He lamented the state of insecurity back home, which he attributed to failure to adhere to the norms guiding the society.
Chief Okere, who is popularly called by his title name Ochiagha by his friends, urged Nigerians back home to embrace dialogue as the only option in resolving the country’s challenges in order to promote peace, harmony and development.
He said the country cannot do without peace, unity and stability, adding that there is a clarion call throughout the universe to make peace with one another.
His words: “There is violence, crime, self-centred thoughts and evil desires because humanity has failed in the art of peace and refuse to understand the essence of living together in a society. We need peace among Nigerian ethnic groups for sustainable economic development.
“Nigeria faces economic recession, violence, hunger and political wobbling because the ethnic groups do not have each other’s interest at heart. The best gift Nigeria can give her future generation as we celebrate independence is culture of peace. Nigerians need good education, healthcare service, and protection.”
