ACSPN to partner APCON on hate-free campaigns

Ahead the 2019 general elections, Association of Communication Scholars and Professionals of Nigeria (ACSPN) and Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) have concluded plans to organise a workshop on the need for a rancour free election campaign. Professor Lai Osho, who led the team of communications professionals on a visit to APCON House at Iganmu, Lagos, said ACSPN is committed to advancing the scholarly study and practice of ‘Communications’ by providing and facilitating the pursuit of excellence in academic research and professional practice in Nigeria.

The former Dean, School of Communications, Lagos State University, noted that the issues that will define the future of media and communication practice in Nigeria are the need to enthrone fairness and objectivity, which he said would define the direction of 2019 elections.

He, therefore, called on APCON to join hands with ASCPN in the noble enterprise of charting a way forward for communication professionals and media practitioners to communicate effectively without fanning the embers of hatred through hate speeches, especially as Nigeria gets into the 2019 campaign.

Reiterating ACSPN’s core values, which include professionalism, innovation, and partnership, Osho said by providing capacity building, training and maintaining best international practice, the workshop and training will empower their members with skills as well as provide access to other professional bodies.

Oso also said he was inspired by APCON’s banner displayed at its entrance, which reminds politicians to avoid “hate speech” in their campaigns, stressing further that as much as there is need to protect the freedom of expression and of the press, “we must also endeavour to guard against hate speech and spurious statements that could heat up the polity.“

In her response, Acting Registrar, Mrs. Ijedi Iyoha, assured of APCON’s willingness to partner with professional bodies like ASCPN to support noble causes even though the agency is yet to have a council.  Iyoha said the workshop will aim at inculcating critical knowledge about the management of electioneering campaign, communications and deployment of such communications that would promote peace among the contending parties.

She noted that the tendency of political candidates and their supporters to abuse their freedom of speech and engage in spurious promotional campaigns that exploit consumers and the public, and sometimes undermine societal harmony and well-being has made it most expedient to organise the workshop as a follow up to the recently held ‘Stakeholders Forum on Political Advertising and Communication,’ organised by APCON in Abuja, adding that professional bodies are crucial stakeholders in the Nigerian state.

Iyoha said APCON is open and ready to collaborate with professional bodies in the communications’ sector that will advance the course of the agency.