According to news published by Vanguard Newspaper, in a recent meeting with the Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum,
Vice President Kashim Shettima noted the pressing issues confronting northern Nigeria. Poverty, insecurity, and inclusivity stand out as significant challenges that demand immediate attention.
Shettima highlighted the urgent need for national unity in addressing these critical issues.
He emphasized the importance of collaboration between broadcast media organizations and the government to foster participatory democracy and bridge the trust deficit between the government and the governed.
“The nation is gradually being bifurcated into a prosperous south and a north that is in the news for the wrong reasons,” warned Shettima, painting a stark picture of the region’s multifaceted challenges.
Expressing gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Shettima acknowledged Tinubu’s history of sacrifice for the nation’s good.
He urged fairness and deeper understanding of Tinubu’s contributions to the region, citing the Pulako initiative as an example of programs designed to address the challenges in the region.
Quoting Martin Luther King Jr.,
Shettima emphasized the imperative for unity:
“The North must either learn to live together as brothers, or we are going to die together as fools.”
Abdullahi Umar Yelwa, Chairman of the Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum, echoed Shettima’s sentiments. Yelwa stressed the importance of synergy in collective efforts to move the country forward.
He emphasized the vast reach of the region’s broadcasters, transmitting in various local languages, and expressed concern about the industry’s struggles post-pandemic.
“The current state of the broadcast industry portends danger. Since COVID-19, many stations have not recovered from the shortfall in advertisements,”
noted Yelwa, highlighting the industry’s crucial role in managing citizens’ perception of the government.