FROM ABUJA TO PLATEAU, LIES A POND OF DEATH!
FROM ABUJA TO PLATEAU, LIES A POND OF DEATH!
By:
Nurudeen Dauda
October 6, 2018
nurudeendauda24@gmail. com
nurudeendauda24@yahoo.com
nurudeendauda.blogspot.com
"The hottest place in Hell is reserved for those who remain neutral in times of great moral conflict" -Martin Luther King, Jr.
In my observation, it appears that, there is a "criminal silence" by both the Conventional and Social Media on the very shocking revelation from "Dura- Du Pond ".
It is curious that the issue did not get the Media "prominence" its deserves.Where are the AITs, Channels,TVCs, Premium Times, Sahara Reporters,The Suns,The Nations,The Guardians, Vanguards, and ThisDays etc., of this world? Where are the Human Rights Bodies , Social Critiques, and Politicians of this world? Why are they so quite on this?
The killings and drowning of innocent "passengers" in the "Pond of death"of Dura-Du District of Jos South Local Government, Plateau State might have been ongoing for 17 years now.The state has been witnessing a perennial ethno-religious crises from 2001 to date.
As we speak, the Military are the new "Victims" of the alleged "Berom Militias'"attack.Three soldiers were killed on the 6th of September, 2018 in Barikin Ladi LGA. And now General M. Alkali is still missing! All what peace loving Nigerians are asking for is Justice! Justice! And Justice! The military must not rest until it gets the culprits.The Federal Government should order for an "operation search" on all ponds on that axis.
"A stitch in time saves nine ".This adage literary means, it is better to "act" or "deal" with problem immediately because if you delay it, things might get worse and the problem may take longer time to deal with.
The "media" being the fourth estate of the state, whether established by a Muslim or Christian or an Animist or a Northerner or a Southerner has the responsibility of promoting peace, tolerance, Justice, good governance and fairness in the society. Is the media living up to its responsibility?
It is sad to note that, some sections of the media in the country often "over balloon" reports of killings affecting a particular religion or ethnic group and "down play" a similar reports of killings in some places affecting other religion or ethnic group. In my view, this is not a responsible media practice. It is a disservice to the nation and unethical to the profession of Journalism.
In my observation , there are some bad eggs in the Journalism profession. If the media does not get rid of them amongst its ranks , as quickly possible, the few bad eggs in the profession will certainly destroy the society. May God forbid that! The Media should and or must not allow unpatriotic politicians to use its medium to destroy the society.
We have had enough of farmers -herders clashes in Birnin- Gwari, Zamfara and Katsina states which are all Muslims and typical Hausa-Fulanis states but the politicians and the media usually down play it.
It is disheartening as well as hypocritical to link clashes between farmers and herders in Southern Kaduna, Benue, Taraba, Plateau, and Adamawa as ethnic or religious while that of clashes in Niger, Birnin Gwari, Zamfara, and Katsina states as mere arm banditry or cattle rustling.
I call on media practitioners in the country to be patriotic enough in discharging their duties as the watchdog of the society . Journalism profession is a profession that is anchored on the principle of Justice, fairness, and balance reportage. Sensationalism does not do anybody any good.
The Federal Government should and or must act on this very sensitive issue. All we need is Justice! Justice! And Justice!
May God bless Nigeria!