NUJ tasks journalists, security agents to synegize for national cohesion

The National President, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Chris Isiguzo has called for collaboration between Journalists and Security Agencies in the country in order to ensure lasting peace, security and national development in the country. The National Deputy President of the Union, Alhaji Mukhtar Gidado who represented Mr Chris Isiguzo made this call during the opening ceremony of Press Week organised by Bauchi State Council of the NUJ held at Zaranda Hotel, Bauchi on Tuesday. He explained that this year’s Press Week, themed, “Press, Insecurity and National Development”, was timely particularly in this trying moment when the country is engulfed with disturbing security challenges of Boko Haram, Kidnappings, Farmers/Herders clashes, militancy in the Niger Delta etc. Comrade Isuguzo said, “Journalists, the mass media and indeed the security machineries of government are partners in progress in ensuring security and National Development of any society and have always been protected in times of war and conflicts”. “Therefore, the recent associated challenges that we are facing in our country are not insurmountable. We must practice our chosen profession according to its ethical standard as expected by the people “. He added. The NUJ President applauded the Bauchi State Council for the initiative assuring that the national leadership would always support councils and chapels that are very proactive in initiating laudable programs. Also speaking, the state NUJ Chairman Comrade Ibrahim Malam Goje explained that the NUJ Press Week is primarily celebrated to foster unity and understanding among members of the union, update the knowledge of journalists as well as afford them the opportunity to share ideas on current issues in an organized social forum. According to him, aside the Press Week, the state council had organised ministerial press briefings in collaboration with ministry of information, free eye consultations to members in collaboration with Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Ramadan dinners and series of trainings to members within the last two years. “While doing these successfully, plans are in the concluding stage for the restoration of the Study Centre of International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) in Bauchi for training in Diploma and Post Graduate Diploma”. He noted. In his speech, Bauchi State Governor Mohammed Abubakar represented by his deputy Abdu Sule Katagum asserted that journalists are duty bound to checkmate the spread of fake news in the social media by countering them with factual stories. Personalities present at the ceremony include Traditional rulers, veteran journalists, students of Mass Communication ‎, Abubakar Tatari Ali Polytechnic Bauchi amongst others. Samuel Luka, Bauchi