Press Freedom Day: Obaseki assures of journalists security

As part of activities marking the World Press Freedom Day, the Edo state governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has assured journalists in the state of security of lives in their line of duty.

The governor gave the assurance yesterday during a rally to make the 2017 celebration themed: “Critical Mind for critical times; Media’s role in advancing peaceful, just and inclusive societies” at the Government House by the leadership and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ Edo state council.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, the governor condemned the attacks on journalists in some states in the country and assured that his government will create an enabling environment for journalists to excel without infringing on their ethical right.

He said, the government will always create a conducive environment for all journalists to thrive commending the Edo State NUJ Council for upholding the ethics of their profession so far.

According to him, “on behalf of the governor I want to congratulate the NUJ and the entire media community for coming out to join the rest of your colleagues around the world to celebrate the World Press Freedom Day.

“We are aware that journalists are vulnerable to attacks but then they must do their work.

“We are in a democracy, the Edo state government has created a friendly working environment for journalists to work.

“Today as a government we are committed to guarantee the security and lives of every journalist in Edo state. We are going to do everything possible to support journalists in the state. We will not do anything to undermine the freedom of the press”. He assured.

At the State Police command, the Commissioner Mr Haliru Gwandu expressed delight over the balance reportage of some journalists in the state.

Mr. Gwandu said the police and journalists will continue to be partners in progress, noting that whatever issue that may arise in the line of discharging their duties will be resolved through mutual understanding.

“I am happy to say that security is relatively guaranteed. I have never had the course to go into any dispute with the press. My only appeal is that your reportage should be balanced,” he said.

On his part, the NUJ state council Chairman, Sir Roland Osakue said the celebration was important to remind the three tiers of government of the continuous threats posed to journalists who are supposedly the fourth estate of the realm.

Sir Roland narrated the timeline of assaults on journalists who is made to monitor other tiers of the government saying the liberty of the press, freedom and enfranchisement of journalists will portray Nigeria as a real democratic country.

He said the core of the profession must be articulated because without information the society will be dead. He further said journalists are the only people who swallow fire for the people to drink water demanding for a yearly budget that would take care of journalists.