Sen. Monsurat Sunmonu, Chairman Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, on Thursday in Abuja advised journalists to tackle the rising incidents of fake news on Hajj and Umrah operations in the country.
Sunmonu gave the advice at the Yearly Hajj Excellence Award Ceremony and Public Lecture, organised by the Independent Hajj Reporters (IHR) a Civil Society Organisation that reports Hajj activities in Nigeria and Saudi Arabia.
She said that fake or negative news about hajj would create unnecessary tension and disrupt many things in the country.
The lawmaker said it was imperative to have independent reporters that would report and investigate issues on Hajj and Umrah in the country.
According to her, investigative journalism will help to prevent fake news on hajj and checkmate the activities of lawmakers on hajj related oversight functions.
The National Coordinator, IHR, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed said the organisation would organise a two days workshop on negative effect of fake news on the psyche of pilgrims.
Mohammed also expressed determination to change and challenge stereotype media induced reportage of Islamic related activities, especially on Hajj and Umrah exercise.
“Muslims are not having the right image all over the world and I think we have a big responsibility to show who the real Muslims are.”
He said that the yearly award was to create a spirit of competitiveness in hajj service delivery by service providers and administrators for the benefit of pilgrims.
Sen. Bala Ibn Na’Allah, Deputy Leader of the Senate and Sunmonu were awarded for their outstanding services to hajj operations in 2018.
Similarly, Mrs Nnena Ukeje, a member of House of Representatives committee on foreign affairs, was also honoured for her contributions to hajj operations in the country.===NAN
