Niger State Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Hon. Binta Mamman, has urged journalists to join the state's new urban renewal drive through their reportage and advice.
Hon. Binta said this when she paid a courtesy call to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Niger State Council at the IBB Pen House, Minna, on Tuesday.
She said that through their reportage, they would correct many wrongdoings, and their advice would ensure that the government takes the right decisions.
According to her, there is no way that her office will perform without the support of the members of the fourth estate of the realm, adding that the essence of her visit was to seek their support, partnership, and synergy.
She assured the NUJ that the present government, led by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, has the political will, zeal, and commitment to change the narrative and that journalists have a critical role to play by portraying the state in a good light in order to attract investors.
The commissioner said that she was working within her powers to ensure that the state-owned media houses were revamped and functional.
She said that the training and retraining of journalists, among other welfare packages, were critical to the functionality of journalists and would be looked into.
The Chairman of NUJ, Comrade Abu Nmodu, while responding, said that the visit was timely as the council was holding its monthly congress and highlighted some of the challenges facing the state-owned media outfits, including a shortage of manpower and obsolete equipment, among others.
Comrade Nmodu appealed to the government to invest in the media houses and to grant them partial exemption from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), as it was an impediment to their ability to carry out their statutory functions.
Other speakers who spoke separately included the Permanent Secretary, Hajiya Aishatu Nuhu Yarwa; Director Administration, Hajiya Su'ad Lami Yakawu; and Director Information Services, Mrs. Joan Hassana Kpetu, who commended the commissioner for being the one who paid the visit rather than waiting for the NUJ to visit her.
They assured her that the NUJ would not let her down, as they would synergize with the ministry.
Niger Attorney General urges journalists to abide by professional ethics
By Uthman Yawa-Siraja
Niger State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Barr Nasiru Mua'zu, has called on journalists covering judicial activities to always guide against unprofessional conduct in the discharge of their duties in the overall interest of peace and national cohesion.
Speaking when the delegation of journalists paid him a courtesy visit, he advised that they should always cross-check their facts before rushing for publication in order to avoid misinformation, stressing that journalists, as the mirror of society, have a duty to strictly adhere to their professional code of ethics.
He stated that he initiated the formation of the Judiciary Press Crew during his days as the Chief Registrar of the State High Court for the members of the press to carry out the coverage of the activities of the state judiciary unhindered.
According to the attorney general, if other arms of government like the State Assembly and the government house have their own press crew, "it will not be out of place for the judiciary to have its own for effective coverage of the judiciary activities, which informed my decision for the press crew for the judiciary".
He maintained that journalists were contributing immensely to the growth and political development of the state and the country in general, hence the need for decorum, respect, and unity of purpose amongst themselves.
He explained that as members of the fourth estate of the realm, the state government and his ministry will work hand in hand with the media to project the good image of the government at all times.
He then appreciated members of the Press Corps for the visit and hoped that the good cordial relationship existing between them, the ministry as well as the judiciary, would continue.
In his brief remarks, the leader of the delegation, Comrade Aidelojo Ojo, said they deemed it very necessary to visit the commissioner and to congratulate him on his well-deserved appointment.
Comrade Ojo assured him that members of the Press Corps will exhibit a high sense of professionalism and decorum in the discharge of their responsibilities as journalists.
He appealed to the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to always avail the Judicial Press Corps of his functions and activities of the ministry for prompt, timely, objective, and effective coverage.
