A director with the Niger-Delta Development Commission NDDC, Chijioke Amu-Nnadi, has charged journalists to maintain truth as a core value in the discharge of their duties to the society.
Amu-Nnadi, who spoke on the theme: ‘Dangers of Gagging the Media in Contemporary Society” at the NUJ press week in Enugu on Thursday, stated that as professionals, journalists can only enjoy the respect of the public when they honour truth and report without bias.
In his address the NUJ chairman, Enugu State Council Sam Udekwe emphasised the role of journalism in informing the public factually, and holding the leaders accountable.
He noted that the media have unique ability to amplify the voices of marginalised communities, shed light on corruption and bring attention to the most pressing issues that will shape the our future.
While commending the Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mbah for maintaining the path of conviviality with the Journalism community, he appealed to Governor Mbah to prevail on the activities of some of the Government agents to prevent them from deviating from his Executive character in dealing with the press.
He also appealed to the state Government to assist the Council in landscaping of the press centre and provision of utility bus for the council.
In his speech, the Governor of Enugu state, Dr. Peter Mbah, represented by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Aka Eze Aka assured the state government’s support for the NUJ.
He assured the corporation and friendship of the State, noting that Governor Mbah is a man who believes in delivering things unusuall through distruptive innovation.
On landscaping of the press centre and provision of utility bus for the council, the Commissioner promised to take the demands of the Council to the governor.
Speaking on the occasion, Comrade Emmanuel Ifesinachi, the Vice President of Zone C of the union, and representative of the national president, said that the Press week is used by various State Councils to evaluate their performances/ achievements and make accurate projections for better performance.
He commended NUJ Enugu State Council for upholding the principles and ethics of the Journalism profession. He equally urged the government to recognise the contribution of the media in the society during the press week.
Highlights of the event were presentation of awards to Emmanuel Okoh, a Humanitarian, Dennis. Nnamdi Agbo, Mr and Mrs Thomas Purity Takoh, Chinedu Arthu- Ugwa Felix (JP), and Sani Friday Nnaji and musical presentation.
