Nnaya Eziyi, Umuahia
Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia State council has said that it stands for good governance and has no issues with Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his addmistration.
Chairman of the chapel, Comrade Emmanuel Ugwu stated this at the one day media week and launch of the median almanac of the chapel at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia, the state capital.
” I have to sound this out because of the wrong impression that some people close to his Excellency may have given him about us. We are here to serve the public, project every view, be it from the ruling party or the opposition,” he said.
He expressed concern over the hardship journalists pass through in carrying out their duties which he said include harassment by security agencies and nonpayment of salaries my their employers.
“Aside from the physical pains journalists experience on a daily basis, they are also subjected to emotional and psychological torture. The media industry is highly distressed and journalists are holding the short end of the stick,” he added.
The state correspondent of ThisDay Newspapers, therefore called on the society to accord journalists their due honour, adding that the members had been living up to their professional calling.
In a lecture he delivered on the occasion, the Director of Media and Publicity of Vote Okezie Again (VOA), Dr. Uwaoma Uche called on the government to regard the members of the chapel as partners in progress.
Similarly, the state Commissioner for Information, Chief John Kalu lauded the members for their unbiased reportage and solicited their support in reporting activities of the government accurately.
In his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Ochiagha Reagan Ufomba, represented by Sir Obinna Odowuike of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, said he was happy to associate with the chapel.
He warned them against negative use of the social media and junk or yellow journalism, pointing out that if their menace were not addressed urgently, they could lead the country into crisis.
Others who spoke at the occasion were the Vice President of the union for Zone C (South East), and the Chairman of the council, Comrades Ikechukwu Isiguzo and John Emejor, respectively.
