By Steve Oma-Ofozor
Lagos
A clergyman, Bishop (Dr) Francis Obukpo, Presiding Bishop of Mount Zion Church of God, Ogudu, Lagos, has urged journalists to help secure Nigeria’s by avoiding sensational and inflammatory reportage.
Bishop Obukpo made the appeal recently during a thanksgiving service organised by Mount Zion Church of God for journalists of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Lagos Council Correspondents’ Chapel.
The service was held after the Chapel’s 2026 Annual Press Week celebration of June 27, 2026 at Ogudu in Lagos.
Speaking at the service, the Bishop said Nigeria is in a dire situation and warned against reporting that could further inflame tensions.
“Nigeria has had enough problems. The situation presently is very fragile. Hence my advice for you journalists on this occasion of your thanksgiving: help save Nigeria from collapse with good news, not scary news,” he said.
He added: “In your reports, write something that will help Nigeria achieve peace, unity, and progress. We don’t have another country but Nigeria. I pray God protects you and your family, your job, and all you do in life.”
The Thanksgiving Service was part of the programmes lined up to mark the success of the NUJ Lagos Correspondents’ Chapel 2026 Press Week. It was attended by a significant number of members led by the Chairman, Comrade Abraham Akpabio.
Recalled President Ahmed Bola Tinubu had also recently appealed to media practitioners to at times put the interest of Nigeria first in their reportage as it is a way of promoting a healthy sociocultural and economic development going forward.
