As part of the activities marking the 2019 World Radio Day, the Lagos State Council of Radio Television, Theatre and Arts Workers’ Union of Nigeria (RATTAWU), has called for peace and tolerance in the coming general election.
The Chairman of RATTAWU Lagos State Council, Mr Dare Durosimi, made the call in a statement on Wednesday to mark the 2019 World Radio Day with the theme ‘Dialogue Tolerance and Peace’.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) declared February 13 as the World Radio Day.
It was declared in order to improve international cooperation among radio broadcasters. It is also an opportunity to draw attention to the unique value of radio.
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The World Radio Day seeks to encourage the decision makers to create and provide access to information through radio, and was first celebrated in 2012 following the declaration by the UNESCO General Conference.
Durosimi said that the Lagos RATTAWU, which comprises members of both state and private-owned broadcast stations in Nigeria, was using the 2019 celebration to call for peace and tolerance during the coming general elections in Nigeria.
“We therefore commend the level of preparedness of Independent National Electoral Commission and the Nigeria Police Force for the conduct of the general election so as to ensure free, fair and credible election.
“The union is concerned about the safety of voters and particularly its members who will be involved in the coverage of the general elections.
“The union is of the opinion that the level of the security put in place to safeguard voters and media will go a long way to give credibility to the elections,’’ he said.
Durosimi said that the union was concerned by reported attacks on its members during previous elections, thereby calling for measures to safeguard repeated occurrence.
“The union is particularly concerned by the attacks on media workers during previous elections and therefore urges the security agencies to secure the media personnel on duty during the elections.
“The media workers are also advised to be safety conscious in performing their duties,’’ he said. (NAN)