NUJ at 70: Taraba Gov salutes journalists, harps on professionalism
By Lynn Adda
As the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ clocked 70 years on Saturday, the Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas has joined well meaning leaders and Nigerians in congratulating journalists.
Gov Agbu Kefas
In a Press Statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Digital Communications, Mr Emmanuel Bello, Governor Kefas noted that the Fourth Estate of the Realm has, over the decades, helped in shaping and strengthening the nation’s democracy.
Dr. Kefas, in a statement to commemorate the milestone, described journalism as a noble profession that has contributed immensely to nation-building and national cohesion through reportage and other editorial engagements
The Governor noted that the work journalists do is a very important one, especially in the areas of unbiased reporting and agenda setting roles.
He therefore saluted practitioners for always raising the bar for governance and insisting on social justice, saying journalists have continued to demonstrate courage and integrity in their work.
Consequently, Dr Kefas said his door is always opened to continue improving and providing an enabling atmosphere for journalists to practice their trade, stressing that journalists in Taraba state should feel free to carry out their duties without any fear of molestation.
He said he is a firm believer in press freedom and the need for fair and balanced reporting.
According to him, the media remains the mirror by which the government and the governed see themselves, noting that this is a heavy burden that requires sticking to professional ethics by practitioners.
He said that without the job journalists do, dictatorship and bad governance will thrive.
Committing further to practitioners’ welfare, Governor Kefas said his administration will continue to seek ways to provide practitioners with the needed tools and continuous training in modern reporting methods.
