Jennifer Yusuf
The relationship between the media in Nigeria and construction giant, Julius Berger is easily likened to the interdependent relationship between a mother and unborn child, the Executive Director, Administration of JBN, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi has said even as National Secretary of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Malam Leman Shaibu in Abuja, lauded the construction company for its faithfulness as Nigeria’s most reliable and consistent infrastructural development partner as well as for the company’s proactive and continuous recognition of efforts of journalists as comrades in progress.
At a similar parley which held in Lagos at the weekend, the Lagos State Chairman of the NUJ, Dr. Quasim Akinreti also saluted Julius Berger’s apparent, dependable and enduring loyalty to the development of sound infrastructure all across the country, saying Lagos stands strong on the solid engineering structures built by Julius Berger, beginning with the Eko bridge which the company built since 1965. He urged the company not to relent in its visibly excellent professional discharge of its projects.
Julius Berger Nigeria Plc hosted journalists in two separate parleys; mid last week in Abuja and weekend in Lagos.
According to Alhaji Bayi, the event was an opportunity to thank and appreciate journalists. In his opening remarks in the Abuja event, Bayi said: “… the relationship between Julius Berger and the Media can at its most serious be likened to the interdependence of the mother and the baby in the womb bound together by the umbilical cord for a fruitful end to produce life, and at its most hilarious context, the “Tom & Jerry” act which exemplifies the ultimate revelation of an inescapable affinity and survivalist need for each other.”
He said the purpose of the end of year parley with the press was to appreciate the journalists’ “healthy understanding and objective reportage throughout the work year”, adding that, “your competent professionalism has been more than helpful to our business and work.” Alhaji Bayi reminded invitees that every time the company is privileged to host the media practitioners in the past, he had shared with them “our mutual secret; that both the media and our company do our work in the public domain. Your good and fair work, indeed your fine and respectable professionalism has helped to reasonably debunk every lie and wrong notions about the work we do in our country,” the Executive Director further said.
On the peculiar relationship between the media and the Julius Berger, he said it is an interesting, enduring and inescapable mix of assignments and purpose between the two saying, “the media will never turn a blind eye to our understandably impactful construction activities; and we must rely on the objective competence and industry of the robust Nigerian media to help us enlighten the public about the truly long-term benefits of our work over any temporary inconveniences it may seem to cause the good public.” The media, which Bayi described as a great opinion moulder, he continued, “has graciously, objectively continued to speak and write to enlighten the public about the work we do in the best interest of the people”.
He thus pledged the company’s sincere commitment “through our proactive and friendly Media Relations Office headed by your energetic colleague, Prince Moses Duku,” to sustain and continue to promote the healthy relationship with media practitioners in the country.
At the Abuja event, National Secretary of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Leman Shaibu lauded Julius Berger for its “consistency in not only being historically and presently professional in the discharge of its various jobs across the country, but also, for being able to create and sustain its excellent friendship with the robust Nigerian Media.” Mr. Leman Shaibu challenged journalists to appropriately, harmoniously relate with such deserving organisations even as he tasked them to be well guided by the relevant laws of the land.
In Lagos, Chairman of the state Chapter of the NUJ, Dr. Quasim Akinreti, spoke glowingly in thanking Julius Berger for identifying with the media so well. He tasked the company not to relent in the verifiably good work it is doing all across Lagos and Nigeria. He assured Julius Berger of a progressively smoother friendship from the media in the future.
Both events were attended by staff of the company as well as media publishers and senior practicing journalists. In Abuja, Julius Berger’s team was led by the Executive Director administration, Alhaji Zubairu Ibrahim Bayi with Alh. Dr Abdulaziz Kaita, Engr. Dr Mohammed Amodu Ismaila and Olorunfemi Ojomo also in attendance. The Heads of the company’s Media Relations Office, Prince Moses Duku, and Corporate Communications Development, Mr. James Agama amongst others were also at the event. At the Lagos event, the Regional Manager, Mr. Alexander Bauer alongside Prince Moses Duku, Mr Agama and the Project Coordinator, Lagos-Shagamu Expressway, Engr. Fatima Kosemani and others were in attendance.
