With the Federal government’s declaration that those who promote hate speeches will henceforth be treated as terrorists, and subsequent divergent reaction of Nigerian citizens, the National Orientation Agency has said that the statement by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo is not an attempt to muzzle Nigerians and trample on their freedom of speech.
This clarification was made by Mr. Olusegun Adeyemi, The Acting State Director of National Orientation Agency, Kwara State Directorate when he was hosted on ‘Speak Now Naija’ – A one-hour Live Phone-in Programme on Royal FM Ilorin, during which he noted that although the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria guarantees freedom of speech, inciting speeches or speech which attacks a person or group of persons on the basis of attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin ,disability or gender are unacceptable and injurious to our peaceful coexistence as a nation .
Mr. Adeyemi further stated that most of the uprisings, tribal wars, religious crises and ethnic clashes Nigeria has experienced in the past can be traced back to intolerance and a series of hate pronouncements, hate speeches, hate conducts and hate actions by leaders and citizens alike.
The NOA Director, while calling on all business, religious and political leaders, irrespective of their political or religious leaning, tribe or faith to condemn hate speech in the strongest possible terms at all times, emphasized that our unity as a country should be paramount to all and sundry.