President Mohammadu Buhari of Nigeria has expressed his commitment to ensuring press freedom in the country.
The Nigerian President made the assertion in his message to the fifth Triennial National Delegates’ Conference of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, in Abuja.
President Mohammadu Buhari who was represented at the conference by his Senior Special Adviser, Media, Mr. Femi Adesina, urged the media to partner with the government and pledged that under his watch, press freedom would be upheld.
Transparency and Accountability
President Buhari said journalism must be allowed to thrive to ensure accountability and transparency in any society.
“Under my watch press freedom will be upheld, and if our democracy must grow there must be freedom of information to promote transparency and accountability in government.”
He noted that he had pledged to be accountable and transparent and he remained committed to the pledge.
President Buhari also urged the media to partner with the government in nation building.
“I look forward to a body of journalists that partners with government, the era in which the government and the media are adversaries should be conclusively over.”
“That does not mean that the media cannot be critical of government, they can and they should where necessary, but then they should see themselves as partners in building and developing the country.
Enhanced Welfare
On his part, the Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr. Yakabu Dogara, decried the level of hazards faced by journalists and non-payment of the desired remuneration for practitioners of the journalism profession.
Mr. Dogara pledged the commitment in collaboration with the NUJ to ensure that there is a legislation that would enhance the welfare of journalists in the country.
“We would work with you as a group and individuals to put together legislation that will enhance the value of journalism as a profession and improve the quality of life of the journalist and protect the journalist and his family,” he said.
The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information, Dr. Folashade Yemi-Esan decried the hazard journalists in the country face.
She reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the lives of journalists are protected and also pledged an enhanced welfare package for journalists in the country.
Freedom of Information
The out-going President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists who served two terms of six years, Mallam Mohammed Garba noted that one of his major achievements was the Freedom of Information Law.
He urged journalists in the country to utilise the Freedom of Information Act to carry out their journalistic duties of ensuring transparency and openness in governance.
The National Delegates Conference of the Nigerian Union of Journalists is the highest decision making body of the union.
The conference has the mandate to elect the President and other national executives of the union.
The theme of the fifth triennial National Delegates’ Conference is Fostering Safety of Journalists and Building Synergy with Agents of the State.
At the end of the conference a new national president and executives of the union will be elected with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the body for the next three years.
This was written by Adoba Echono, Abuja for Voice of Nigeria - July 25 2015
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