By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
Comr. Seidu Ademu Haruna of the Information chapel has emerged as the new Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ) Kogi State Council.
The new Chairman emerged at the triennial delegates Congress of the Union held at the press centre of the Kogi state NUJ in Lokoja, Wednesday.
Until his election, Comr. Saidu who was the immediate past Secretary of the Union promised an inclusive leadership while upholding the ethics of the Journalism Profession.
Comr. Seidu therefore solicited the support of practicing journalists in the state to enable the executive members work as a team towards improvement of members welfare.
In his speech, the National President of NUJ, Comrade Chris Isiguzo tasked Journalists on objective, balanced reportage, urging them to discharge their responsibility according to the ethics of the profession.
The president who was represented by V.P Zone D, Comr. Chris Atasaka, commended members for working harmoniously with the leadership of Comr. Adeiza Momohjimoh praised them for having a rancour free election.
Earlier in his remarks, the immediate past NUJ Chairman, Comr Adeiza Momohjimoh, thanked members of the Union for the success his administration recorded.
Comr. Adeiza called on journalists in the State to extend support to the new administration under the leadership of Comr. Seidu Ademu, pointing out that the time for the Union to be more united to meet with the yearnings and aspirations of the society cannot be overemphasized.
Comr. Adeiza listed his achievements to include improving the welfare of journalists in the state and giving facelift to the Union’s infrastructure, urged the new administration to strive to ensure that the facilities are put into proper use and protected.
The guest speaker, Prof. Gbenga Ibileye, Provost, College of Postgraduate Studies, Federal University Lokoja, frowned at sensational reportage, unbalanced and biased reportage as challenges of the media, called for fact checking by journalists.
Prof. Ibileye cautioned against sensational reportage, adding that the implications of the challenges faced the media as the fourth estate of the realm affects the other arms of government and institutions.
He therefore called for independent Journalism practice that would hold leadership accountable. He charged Journalists to priorities social, security and other factors in their reportage, so as restore public trust.
Others elected Executive members are Comr. Obansa Ibrahim, Vice Chairman, Segun Oyenibi, Secretary; Adebija Sunday as Treasurer; Abdulsalaam Mohammed, Financial Secretary; Josephine Ali Auditor while Atuluku Samuel emerged as Assistant Secretary and Auditor.
Highlights of the triennial delegates Congress was goodwill messages from the past leader of the NUJ from in the state, Comrade Tims Ejiga and the Kogi State NLC Chairman, Comr Gabriel Amari and administering of oath of office for the newly elected executives.
