By ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA
ASABA/
As part of the activities marking this year’s International Day Of Democracy, the Vito Corsica Deck (Aniocha/ Ika/Oshimili) in collaboration with Saxon Deck (Manchester – United Kingdom) of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) aka Pyrates Confraternity, today joined the rest of the world to celebrate by sensitizing the public in Asaba through a Radio program on Democracy.
Pyrates, in a Radio Talk Show/Program (Trend 100.9 FM Station) in Asaba, maintained that the bulwark of democracy: unfettered rights and freedoms, free and fair elections, true separation of powers, strong and independent institutions, and the rule of law, be strengthened across all climes for the advancement of humanity.
Disclosing that this year’s International Day Of Democracy focused on the importance of media freedom to democracy, peace, and delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals, the Cap’n of Vito Corsica Deck of NAS, Engr. Emeka Okolo, noted that as watch dogs of the downtrodden, sensitization was necessary for Seadogs to embarked on especially in Nigeria where voters apathy has created predator animals that were more equal than others and the others have become subjected to abject poverty and constant penury in their own land.
He said the International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. That Democracy was as much a process as a goal, and only with the full participation of and support by the international community, national governing bodies, civil society and individuals, can the ideal of democracy be made into a reality to be enjoyed by everyone, everywhere.
According to the leader of the Pyrates, who disclosed that his Vito Corsica was collaborating with Saxon Deck of NAS in Asaba, to sensitize the public on Democracy Day celebration, asserted that “free, independent and pluralistic media, able to keep the public informed on matters of public interest, is a key ingredient to democracy. It enables the public to make informed decisions and hold governments to account. When media freedoms are under threat – the flow of information can be stifled, skewed or cut off entirely. Increasingly, journalists around the world face limits to their ability to operate freely – with a grave impact on human rights, democracy and development”.
He reiterated the stand’s of UN Secretary-General, António Guterres’ who stressed that Democracy cannot survive without Free Press, Freedom of Expression.
“Absolutely! Democracy is the way to go. Happy International Day of Democracy to the World.” Engr. Emeka Okolo added.
In his view, Olorogun Stephen Dieseruvwe, the immediate past Director General (DG) of Delta State Transport Management Authority (DESTMA), who represented the Pyrates Confraternity at the Radio Program, said “When the main Press failed to do what they are supposed to do fake news will thrived because there’s no restriction on social media”
He noted that there was different between fake news and freedom of the press. That the Press in Nigeria has failed to hold Government accountable especially for their electoral campaign promises
While charging the Press to always quiz political Party spokespersons on what their parties failed to do when they were in office and how they intend to do what they were promising, Dieseruvwe said “The Press needs to be inquisitive, push the politicians to what’s right. Government in power should be giving account of what they are doing.”
