BY: News Peddlers
PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari said Sunday that Nigeria attract positive international attention as a country promoting media freedom and freedom of expression.
Buhari said this in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, while pledging his "full support" for three major international events set to take place in Nigeria in October and November 2022.
"Among the events are the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's 2022 Global Media, Information Literacy Week in Abuja in October, the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry in Lagos in November, and the second Global Association of Literary Festivals Conference in Abeokuta in November."
According to the President's statement, the global events are opportunities to showcase the country's rich heritage in culture, arts, tourism, and entertainment, as well as advances in media freedom.
Earlier, Lai Mohammed, the Minister of Information and Culture, stated that hosting the 2022 UNESCO Global Media, Information Literacy Week would aid in combating the rising tide of fake news, misinformation, and hate speech.
Buhari expressed his delight at welcoming international visitors to Nigeria and urged citizens to use the events to demonstrate the values that "make us a unique, friendly, and peace-loving people."
"Welcoming the decision by UNESCO's World Tourism Organization and the Global Association of Literary Festivals to grant Nigeria the right to host these separate historic events, the President assures all relevant stakeholders and participants of the warmth and hospitality of the people of Nigeria," the statement read in part.
"On MIL Week, Buhari observes that it is instructive that Nigeria is attracting positive international attention as a country that promotes media freedom and freedom of expression, acknowledging the critical roles that information literacy and media education play in sustainable development."
On the occasion of the first Global Conference on Cultural Tourism and Creative Industry, President Buhari stated that the rapid growth of Nigeria's film, fashion, music, and information and communications technology sectors, as well as the increase in tourism has boosted the image of the nation.
SOURCE: VANGUARD