Without Flourishing Media Industry, Unity Of Nigeria Will Be A Peril – NUJ National President
By Abdullahi idris,Bauchi
BAUCHI – The National
President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Chief Chris Isiguzo has stressed that without a responsive media industry that flourishes, the unity of Nigeria will be at peril.
The official launching and presentation of the book
The NUJ National President stated this on Monday at the official book launch and presentation of Shuaibu Usman Leman, the retired National Secretary of the NUJ, which held at the Hazibal Suites Annex Hall in Bauchi state.
He said that the media is the oxygen of a working democracy, pointing out that if the media is not working, the country cannot work.
The NUJ National President said that the country is going through a political season, where so many political actors are now on rampage to gain the trust of the electorates.
“It now behoves on the media to raise to the occasion and critically examine the policy documents of persons aspiring for political offices.Journalists must set the agenda in this regard where they are clearly defined as agenda setters.
“This is the time for us to assume fully that role and begin to discharge same, so that we are not easily carried away by selfish interests.We must rise to the occasion and not remain as lap dogs, we must be the watch dogs as we have been clearly define to be”
He said that the problem of fake news is seriously casting aspersion on the journalism profession in the country, calling on union to ensure that it fish out quacks from the profession.
Speaking earlier, the former NUJ National Secretary, Shuaibu Usman Leman called on governments at all levels to make protection of lives and property of journalists a priority, adding that the gesture would be regarded as a special consideration for journalism which is pivotal to the development of democracy in the country.
Leman, urged the NUJ leadership to continue to struggle for better salary structure for journalists in the country, stressing that when journalists are properly paid, they will perform optimally and both journalism and democracy will truly benefit from this.
“If you look at it, journalists are one of the set of professionals that are least paid in this country.We have tried our best to ensure that salaries and emoluments are improved upon, the conditions and welfare of journalists are properly taken care of”
“However, we have not succeeded as expected and this is one of my greatest regrets and I hope that those who come after us will continue with the struggle so that in no distant future, we will succeed in this regard.My belief is that when journalists are properly paid, they will perform optimally and both journalism and democracy will truly benefit all democracy and the general society at large,the statement added
