2024 NUJ Conference: The rewards for hard work is more works, Gov Uzodimma Tells Journalists
By Exponent News. 27th November, 2024.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists – NUJ at the 8th Triennial National Delegates’ Conference, held at the International Conference Centre,Oweri, the state capital of Imo state has set to elect their new leadership that would lead them for another three years after the end of the tenure of the National President of the Union Chris Isiguzo-MFR set to relinquished power to some of the contestants vying for the position of the President of the union .
Among the contestants are Comrade Alhassan Yahya, Harba Muhammad and Dele Atunbi are contesting for the president of the union. Others are Comrade DR. Mrs Abimbola Oyetunde, for Deputy president, Echenleme Ndukwe for National Treasurer, comrade Samuel Dada, for National Financial Secretary. Whosoever that win would be leading the association for another three years. The 8th Triennial National conference of the association normally led to elections where all Delegates who came all over the Federation were to elect their leaders that would pilot the affairs of the association.
The theme of this year is Media and Democracy: The Journalist”s Role in holding Leaders accountable .The programme which was chaired by the Distinguish Senator Osita Ozunaso, OFR- Chairman Senate Committee on Capital Market and Institutions , with His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodimma, CON, as Special Guest of Honour declared the programme open.
The Nigerian Police Force were on ground to provide security for all the Delegates and others high profile members of the union even right from the beginning of the movement of the Delegates from their council state to the venue of the event to ensure that every members that went to the programme are secured through out the duration of the events. At the arrival of the Governor Uzodimma, CON, the programme kicked start with the national anthem.
Chris Iziguzo Speech
The outgoing president of the union Chris Iziguzo , in his opening remarks said over one thousand journalists came to the program with about seven hundred Delegates were present. He said he was mindful of the enduarance and legacy he left behind. Isiguzo praised the governor of the Imo state Governor Uzodimma for the support he gave the union and how he have been promoting tourism in the state. He said this Year theme underscore the importance of the role of Journalists in the country as we are the stewardship of the Democracy. He pointed out to the Delegates as he said his administration have trained many Journalists in the local and national training that would equiped them to perform their roles to the ultimost higher level. He asked the leadership of the union to lead with courage and served as a servant. He thanked his outgoing members for the help and support they offered to the union. He also, thanked the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria -SWAN and said one NUJ, one voice and one vision.
The Chairman of the occasion Senator Osita Ozunaso recognized the role of the journalists in shaping the society for better by providing them with good information and holding the government accountable. He explained that he recognised the fact that Journalists are facing harassment and intimidation even from the private organization and encouraged them not to be discouraged from the profession and urged them to think out of the Box by teaming up together by establishing their own Newspaper to promote their wealth of experience gathered in the field while serving others so that they could fenced for themselves.
Governor Uzodimma CON Remarks.
In his remarks, the governor Uzodimma expressed his sincere appreciation to outgoing NUJ President for chosen Imo state for their conference. He said his leadership was encouraging and continuing to support the incoming administration to ensure transparency and transformation of the union. He said Journalism is the life source of getting information and promoting transparency in government.
He explained the four roles of the Journalists to be Providing reliable information as one of the duties of journalist and that this build public trust. Also, Journalists act as a public watchdogs, and also facilitating democracy cause. The last was to reflecting the society of diversity and to ensure that all voices are reflected in their reportage.He said the work of Journalists in the grass roots should be more intent to ensure that the people are carried along. He said the social media encourages breeding of fake news but urged the Journalists to check fact their fact very well before reporting.
He said fake news are used to cost social violence and unrest in the society. He said this is truly disturbing and inciting ethics discourse . He said it’s very urgent for media to check fact their fact and adhered to the highest ethics of the profession and take proactive steps to promote solutions journalism.
He said his administration would support the independent Journalism and also supported independent media as this was a cannalist to enhance development in the society. He asked journalists to address poverty, Health economy, Education and others social issues that could affect the people positively with their reports. He said the rewards for hard work is more works and asked the Journalists to hold the government accountable.
