Journalists in Nigeria have been charged to uphold the principle of professionalism in the course of discharging their duties because this is the right thing to do.
The governors of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, Ogun State, Ibikunle Amosun and Osun States, Rauf Aregbesola gave this charge at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State council 2-Day Summit held at Jogor Centre, Ibadan on Wednesday.
The theme of the summit was “Journalists’ Image and Professionalim.”
In their separate goodwill messages, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State, who was represented by his Special Assistant on Special Duties, Dr. Doyin Odebowale and his counterpart from Ogun, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, through his representative, Rotimi Durojaye expressed that journalists’ roles in the state and Nigeria at large cannot be over looked.
They noted that journalism as a profession stood out as that platform for the defense of civil liberty, adding that contributions of great nationalists like Herbert Macauly, Nnamdi Azikwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Lateef Jakande, Anthony and Peter Enahoro among others still remain indelible in the history of the struggle for independence of the nation.
Akeredolu and Amosun further stated that journalism should not be restricted to mere reportage of news to promote certain interest; rather journalists should dig more on investigative journalism to ascertain and interpret events with the purpose of putting them in their right historical perspectives.
While declared the summit open, Sola Fasure, who represented Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the State of Osun, explained that in order to ensure journalists operate within the ambit of the codes and ethics guiding their job, their welfare should be at the central focus of their practice.
He admonished them to distant partisanship from their practice, and as well should not let pecuniary benefits override national interest.
In his welcome address, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State council, Comrade Adewumi Faniran disclosed that the 2-Day summit was in line with his electioneering campaign promises made three months ago.
He promised that the present Oyo NUJ leadership will not relent in the promotion of good and professional conduct as well sanitizing the practice of journalism in the state.
Also represented was the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Ladi Abimbola by Alhaja Fatima Badrudeen.
Packaged by Kunle Gazali
