JOURNALISTS in Anambra have been called upon to practice with caution and abide by the ethics of the profession.

C Don Adinuba, commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, made the call when the Correspondent Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Jerome Udoji Secretariat, Awka.

Adinuba, who reiterated state government’s determination to partner with them, re-assured that government would attend to their problems to the best of its ability.

He urged them to use their messages to mobilise the entire citizenry, so that they could get involved in government activities.

“We need people like you, the media as social mobilisers. We need you more than you need us. The government understands the roles of the media,’’ Adinuba said.

The commissioner said that the Willie Obiano government would not joke with the welfare of journalists in the state.

He added that Obiano has expended not less than N250 million on pension and gratuities of retired staff of ABS Radio and National Light Newspapers.

He pointed out that the federal government owed Anambra about N46 billion from the construction of some federal roads in the state.

He, then, enjoined the journalists to use their position in the society to ensure that the money was refunded by FG as soon as possible.

The information commissioner expressed displeasure at the actions of some journalists, urging them to always ensure balance in their stories.

“Anytime you want to hear the other side of the story, that is when you are more professional.’’

Adinuba, who noted that the Correspondent Chapel constituted his primary constituency and apologised over the past at which they were not accorded necessary cooperation they were entitled to.

He pledged that it would not happen again.

Earlier, Emma Ndukuba, leader of the team and chairman, Correspondent Chapel, congratulated the commissioner for his appointment and assured him that they would partner with him.

Ndukuba noted that members of the chapel were people, engaged by various media houses, not domiciled in the state, numbering no fewer than less 41 members.

The Correspondent Chapel chairman commended Obiano for the appointment of information commissioner, saying that he was one of their own.

The chairman also thanked the state government for donating a bus, to them but regretted that they had found it difficult working with government because they were far from activities of government.

He noted that in the past the administration didn’t treat them well, and solicited for better treatment from the present administration.

In a vote of thanks, Chucks Ilozue from, `Daily Independent’ Newspapers, thanked the commissioner for granting them audience and agreeing to partner them for progress of the state.

He, however, prayed that the relationship be sustained.

– Jun. 25, 2018 @ 18:59 GMT |