Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has voiced strong condemnation over the persistent and worsening violence in Benue State, cautioning that the government’s failure to protect lives could force residents to take matters into their own hands.
Expressing grave concern, Mark lamented the rising insecurity in the state, which has resulted in countless deaths and extensive property damage. He labeled the attacks as “senseless, tragic, and utterly unacceptable,” stressing that the government’s foremost duty is to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens.
“The people of Benue are facing a dire situation. If the government continues to neglect its responsibility, citizens may have no choice but to defend themselves,” he warned.
Mark called on the Federal Government to uphold its constitutional mandate of protecting Nigerians and urged Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to bolster security measures. He also appealed to traditional leaders, community elders, and stakeholders to collaborate with security forces in exposing and apprehending the perpetrators.
Addressing the people of Benue, Mark encouraged unity and resilience. “This is a difficult time, but we must stand together, resist fear, and speak out against these atrocities,” he said. While urging restraint, he emphasized the importance of solidarity and adherence to the law, reminding citizens of their shared duty to protect one another.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
