From Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
The national President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Chris Isiguzo, on Wednesday in Lokoja cautioned practising Journalists in Kogi State to be wary of political stage actors full of sentiments to mislead the public with unfounded stories that can heat up the polity.
Isiguzo gave the warning while delivering his speech on Wednesday at the Grand Finale of the 2023 Press Week/Book Launch of the Kogi State council of NUJ, held at Edge Drive Hotel in Lokoja.
He said discerning journalists would be able to separate this set of politicians from genuine ones, adding that most of those in this category were pretenders and not contenders in the forthcoming November 11 governorship election in the state.
According to him, “it is pertinent for Journalists to understand the constitutional responsibility of the media in ensuring accountability, transparency and good governance.”
“At this time, as Journalists, you will see all manners of political actors who are only actors on stage and when you see actors like that, their aim is not to contest but to mislead the public.”
“We must not bend rules to favour friends or a system that will not continue to sustain the peace, unity and progress that the outgoing administration has put in place, especially in the areas of security and infrastructure development.”
“We must ensure that in our reportage, we promote the culture and aspiration of the people of Kogi State by promoting issues that will pave way for the development of the state. You should bear in mind that, at the end of the election, whoever emerges, will govern the entire state and not a section of the state,” he said.
The NUJ President, however, commended Governor Yahaya Bello or his efforts and commitment towards the development of the state.
Earlier, the state chairman of the Kogi state council of NUJ, Comrade Adeiza Momohjimoh pointed out that despite the bumps and the ditches on their tracks during the period, he assured that the next administration will inherit a peaceful, United and stable NUJ council in Kogi state.
He commended the Media consultant to governor Yahaya Bello, Mrs. Oyeyemi Latifat Kolapo for bridging the relationship between Journalists and the present administration under the leadership of Alhaji Yahaya Bello in Kogi state.
The chairman also commended Senator Yakubu Oseni for facilitating the establishment of NIIDA for the council adding that the digital enrichment of the council has enhanced the performance of journalists in the state.
Highlights of the occasion that was chaired by the Rector of Kogi state Polytechnic, Dr. Usman Ogbo, was the presentation and launching of the book titled: ‘Media Development in Kogi state 1991 — 2023’ .
