FROM RAHILA ABDULLAHI, KADUNA
Journalists have been urged to set agenda on illegal circulation of arms across the country as panacea to tamed the insecurity challenges ravaging the country.
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani made the appeal in Kaduna on Tuesday, during the 2024 Press Week, organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna state Council, saying that his administration will not politicize insecurity in any form.
Acknowledging the media as critical stakeholders and worthy partners in the state, Sani said that his administration will focus on initiatives that benefit the people, acknowledging the media’s critical role as the watchdog of society.
Highlighting the need for the creation of state police to address the shortage of security personnel and cover ungoverned spaces within the region, the Governor called on the media to join the advocacy and to update laws addressing security challenges.
He noted that the state government has put up several efforts with various security agencies to protect lives and property of citizens, including providing over 150 patrol vehicles and 500 motorcycles to support security operations in the 23-LGAs of Kaduna state.
While saying that he would support and collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council to make the State prosper economically, socially and politically under his administration.
Governor Sani noted that the role of journalists in holding government accountable cannot be ignored, admitting that his administration placed high premium on accountability and transparency in governance.
“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.
Speaking on the theme of event, “The Role Of Media In Holding Government Accountable: Emerging Challenges and Prospects, the Guest Speaker, Dean Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Kaduna state University, (KASU) Prof. Ayodele Joseph lamented that Journalists overtime has done little in the area of setting agenda to hold the government accountable to the people.
Ayodele added that the title, ‘fourth estate of the realm’, goes beyond rhetoric, stressing that the tittle can only be taken serious if the media can harness all its potentials and boldly make public office holders accountable to those who gave them mandate to serve as their representative.
He further noted that the media can unravel mysteries in the highest realm by engaging investigative journalism, exposing corruption and wrongdoings
through in-depth reporting. By doing this, Joseph said leaders will be duty bound to be straight forward to the people.
He however, added that, “the prospects of the media holding government accountable are promising, though there are challenges and threats.
“Moreover, the rise of citizen journalism and social media has brought government very close to the people. Thus reinforcing information dissemination and allowing diverse Voices to contribute to the narrative”.
Earlier in her remarks, the Chairman, NUJ Kaduna state Council, Asma’u Yawo Halilu, disclosed that the importance of the event is to celebrate journalists and raise awareness even as she averred that the society placed high expectation on journalists considering the important roles they play in the society.
Recognizing Journalists as the voice of the voiceless and agenda setters for a better society, she reiterated the constitutional guarantee of the freedom of expression, while noting that journalists in Kaduna still struggle with access to information. Halilu appealed to the state government to create a more supportive environment for journalism and ensure the safety of journalists in Kaduna state, especially the issue of kidnapping and poor living conditions.
“To my respected and ever valued colleagues in Kaduna known to be pace setters in every positive, I once again congratulate us all on this successful outing and to also encourage us to continue to uphold the ethics of our noble profession at all times”. NUJ chairman said.
