From Abdullahi Shugaba, in Katsina
The Katsina State Governor, Malam Dikko Umar Radda has pledged that his administration will continue to cooperate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and stakeholders along with working journalists in the discharge of their responsibilities in the state
Governor Radda who was represented by the Commissioner for Information, Youth Sports and Culture, Dr Salisu Bala Zango gave the assurance during a One-Day Engagement with NUJ Stakeholders organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Katsina State Council, in Katsina.
Radda noted that after the executive, the legislature and judiciary, the fourth arm of government is the Press, hence the need to support and cooperate with the media becomes imperative.
He said that the press serves as the watch dog of the other three arms of government in view of the vital role it plays in strengthening governance and promotion of democracy.
The commissioner who represented the governor said “the governor wished to be part of the engagement with the media stakeholders but he was unavoidable absent due to other over-riding factors however, he asked me to represent him and as well extend his good-will to the stakeholders and all working journalists across the state” .
He said the governor appreciates the cordial working relationship between the journalists and his administration in the state.
According to the commissioner, it is in view of this that large quantum of money was expended in the upgrading of Katsina State Television and other state media houses to enable it them compete effectively and favourably with other media organisations locally and internationally in line with with the international best practice.
The chairman of the occasion, who is the 5th Wazirin Katsina and Wazirin Ilimin Kasar Hausa Prof. Sani Abubakar Lugga in a remark decried the infiltration of quacks into journalism profession which he described as “very unfortunate”.
Lugga noted that the regulatory body, the union and stakeholders must stand up to tackle the problem head-on.
He noted that every Dick and Henry took advantage of the emergence of the new social media and jumped into media practice without acquiring any skills or qualification for entry.
Lugga advised the union and stakeholders to rise up to the challenges and correct these anomalies because the media practice is sliding to doom.
He arguable maintained that the press still remained the fourth estate of the realm in any government be it at the national, state or grassroots level.
In a paper presented titled: Journalism Democracy and Institutional Renewal: Charting a New Course for NUJ Katsina State Council by Prof.Mukhtar Alkasim of Ahmadu University Zaria, charged journalists renained focused and live above board resist to resist any temptation and defend the collective interest of the masses.
Alkasim said journalist have key role to play and fightfor the general wellbeing of the society by holding the people in government accountable and responsible.
Earlier in a welcome address, the Chairman of the NUJ, Katsina State Council, Comrade Aminu Garba Dandagoro said the essence of the engagement with the stakeholders is to listen, reflect and make contributions to strengthen journalism profession and as well to collectively take the union to the greatest height.
Dandagoro pledged that the union under his watch will continue to support the present administration of Katsina State under governor Radda to enable it succeed.
Stakeholders, Past leaders Union leaders, traditional rulers, top good functionaries and friends of the press from all nooks and corners of the state attended the meeting who commends, contributions and observations on how to move the union forward
