The Governor of Benue State, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, has charged Benue people to do away with defamatory statements and gossips against individuals and institutions .
He said the government will not regulate speech or the content of any message, but any of them that is injurious to organizations or individuals has consequences.
Gov Alia gave the advice on Saturday in Vandeikya LGA of Benue during the burial of a former member of the Benue State House of Assembly,Late John Chia.
Gov Alia said Benue State is facing torrents of deliberate misinformation and charged citizens to refrain from making unsubstantiated and inflammatory expressions as a deliberate attempt to ensure social instability in the state.
The governor also announced the training of 10,000 Benue youth in ICT and called on civil servants in the state to get serious and always be present in their offices during working hours.
He said any civil servant found exhibiting laxity will be questioned, just as he warned against illegal levies and extortion of marketers in the state.
He enjoined Benue citizens to be law-abiding and rally round the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume and support him with good ideas to succeed.
Governor Alia expressed sadness that the deceased, who was very instrumental in the process that led to his emergence as Governor of Benue State, could not live to assist him with ideas and be part of the success that his leadership will bring for the state.
He thanked members of the 6th Benue Assembly for their show of love and commitment to the burial of the late John Chia.
The Governor equally appreciated traditional rulers in the state for all that they have been doing to maintain peace and orderliness in their communities.
