Left: Haruna Mohammed
Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, has honoured Mallam Haruna Mohammed of the Nigerian Television Authority, (NTA Kaduna), with meritorious award for Excellence in Professional Conduct.
The Award.
He was honoured on the occasion of 2024 Press Week organised by Kaduna State Council of the NUJ.
The theme of the press week was; The Role of Media in Holding Government Accountable for Good Governance: Emerging Challenges and Prospects.
During the event, the Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, who was special guest of honour, said he would collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council to make the State great economically, socially and politically under his administration.
Governor Sani noted that the role of journalists in holding government accountable cannot be ignored, adding that his administration placed high premium on accountability and transparency in governance.
“I am aware that Kaduna NUJ is alive to its social responsibility. Kaduna State government will continue to work with Kaduna NUJ because it is important for us to collaborate, work together, we should partner to make our State better and great.
“We are worried about ungoverned spaces occupied by bandits, so journalists have the role to play in educating the people about ungoverned spaces and until we cover the spaces we may not find solution to insecurity.
“Journalists have played key role in the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. Media must dig deep what is hidden from the benefit of the society”. Governor added..
Chairman, NIgeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council, Comrade Asma’u Yawo Halilu said, the essence of the press week was to create and raise awareness associated with the challenges being experienced by journalists in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.
“In the midst of these high expectations, Journalists are daily confronted with challenges of quacks, infiltrators and proliferation of fake news, time pressure, professional competence, poor remuneration and at times, lack of it, harassments, intimidations and suppression, amongst others.
“In the face of all of these challenges, the average and ever committed journalist still struggle to ensure that elected leaders at all levels of governance and other public office holders, uphold their call to duty by ensuring that they live up to the expectations of the public in keeping with democratic ethos and nation building.
“In most cases, this exposes our members to danger of all kinds. Yet, they don’t get discouraged but act more in the overall interest and good of the society,” she said.
Halilu, reminded the people that section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), guarantees freedom of expression, especially that of the media, but in spite of this provision, journalists still face challenges of adequate and unfettered access to information.
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