“Let Us Rebuild Public Trust” – NUJ President To Nigerian Journalists
By Lynn Adda
The President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Abdullahi Yahya, has enjoined Journalists across the country to strive towards rebuilding public trust in the profession.
The NUJ President was speaking at a 2 Day first ever National Media Summit held at the Patience Event Centre, Jalingo, the Taraba State capital.
Alhassan Yahya
He stressed that rebuilding public trust would require recommitting to the core principles of integrity, professionalism, and collaboration in the fight against misinformation, describing the challenge as one of the greatest threats facing modern journalism.
Comrade Alhassan Yahya noted that the theme of this year’s gathering, “Rebuilding Trust: Media Integrity in the Age of Misinformation”, reflects a national imperative to restore confidence in journalism at a time when false information spreads faster than ever.
The NUJ President, who expressed appreciation to the Taraba State government and Governor Agbu Kefas for hosting and supporting the summit, also acknowledged the contributions of past NUJ leaders, commending Professor Umaru Pate, Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Kashere, whom he described as a mentor and guiding voice for the profession.
Yahya noted that the rapid growth of digital platforms has created an environment in which unverified content reaches millions within seconds, placing a greater responsibility on trained journalists to uphold the truth.
“It is a call to confront the negative narratives that have weakened confidence in our profession. It reminds us that trust is the foundation of journalism and that without integrity, we lose the very soul of our calling.
“In an era where anyone can reach millions within seconds using a smartphone, the burden on professional journalists has never been heavier”, he noted.
Yahya also announced plans by the union to introduce a health insurance scheme for journalists in collaboration with partner unions.
He identified four core principles the Union believes must guide the future of Nigerian journalism, which, according to him, include integrity in reporting, professionalism in a digital era, the safety and welfare of journalists, and collaboration for truth.
“No democracy can flourish where the press is intimidated,” Abdullahi said, reaffirming the NUJ’s commitment to advocating for legal reforms and protections for journalists nationwide.
He described the summit as more than a ceremonial event, calling it a “marketplace of ideas” where participants will develop practical solutions expected to outline concrete steps for rebuilding media credibility.
He used the forum to appeal to the Federal Government to urgently commence the reconstruction of the collapsed Namnai bridge and several other critical roads in the state and the Northeast.
Declaring the Summit open, the Taraba State Governor Dr Agbu Kefas, described the gathering as a strategic moment of collaboration between the state government and the media.
Gov Agbu Kefas
According to him, the press is not an enemy of government but a vital bridge between leaders and citizens.
“Taraba remains a safe home for every journalist,” the governor assured. “We will keep our doors open so that your work is easier and more impactful. Together, let us build a nation where truth reigns.”
The Taraba State Commissioner for Information and Reorientation, Barr Zainab Usman Jalingo, expressed delight with the hosting of the Summit in Taraba State.
She described the theme as timely, noting that journalism now stands at a critical juncture due to the proliferation of digital platforms, which have become breeding grounds for fake information.
The Special Adviser to the Governor of Taraba state on Media and Digital Communication, Emmanuel Bello, described the Governor as a true lover of democracy and the media.
The Taraba State Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Mr Mathew Eliud Jen commended the national leadership for the initiative, hoping that the Summit would strengthen unity and professionalism.
The Keynote speaker who is the Vice Chancellor of the Federal University, Kashere in Gombe State, Professor Umaru Pate, warned that the growing activities of quacks continue to undermine the credibility of the media.
Prof Umar Pate
He urged journalists to strengthen their ethical responsibilities and acquire technological skills to remain relevant in the profession.
“The friction between social media and conventional media has left many citizens confused about what to believe; as such, any state unable to strengthen its information ecosystem is at risk”, Pate said.
Prof Pate stressed the need for journalists to remain ethically responsible, especially as technological innovations to reshape the media landscape.
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Other speakers at the event, including Dr Josiah Sabo Kente and Dr Jeji Williams, called for enhanced professionalism, stricter enforcement of ethical standards, and the revival of the Journalism Enhancement Bill.
Dr Josiah Sabo Kente
They equally advocated the establishment of a national training and research institute for journalists.
Dr Jeji William Mni
The 2025 National Media Summit brought together Journalists’ from across the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory as well as media scholars and practitioners.
