Stand By The Truth Always – Deputy Governor Charges Journalists

Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Professor Modupe Adelabu has charged journalists and media practitioners to always uphold the truth and sustain the virtues of courage and integrity, which identified as the hallmark of the profession.

She said the charge became imperative to tackle head on and overpower the monsters of corruption and insecurity facing Nigeria.

Prof Adelabu gave the charge yesterday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital while hosting to the officials of the ‘B’ Zone of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by the Deputy National President of the union, Prince Rotimi Obamuagun.

She received officials from Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states in the Conference Room of her Office on behalf of the Governor Kayode Fayemi.

 According to her, she has always been proud to be identified with the profession because of the caliber of practitioners, the regard people have for the profession and the critical roles of journalists in the struggle for the nation’s independence from colonialism and stability of the country.

Admitting that it could be costly and life-threatening at times journalists in the discharge of their duties, she urged them to continue to be upright, fearless and unbiased.

The deputy governor specifically counselled media practitioners not to be deterred by the hazards of the job, reminding them of the expectations of the society.

She therefore enjoined them to collaborate and build a synergy with the government at all tiers to fight the menace of corruption and insecurity threatening the corporate existence of the country.

The deputy governor hailed the delegation for being objective in its appraisal of the state and the award given to the governor in recognition of his administration’s performance in the state as well as his contribution to good governance in the country.

She assuring that the governor, being a seasoned journalist will continued to support for practitioners.

 In his earlier remarks, the NUJ Deputy National President, Prince Rotimi Obamuagun, lauded the infrastructural revolution brought into the state by the Fayemi administration, which he described as enormous and unprecedented considering the period of time spent to put these in place.

 Prince Obamuagun also commended the government for its media friendly posture and policies, which according to him, has given journalists in the state a fear-free environment to practice, and also for its various assistance to the State Council of the NUJ.

He listed the provision of a Press Center, one 18-seater bus, a piece of land for the NUJ Secretariat and the monthly subvention to the union, among others as some of the supports to the state.

The NUJ chief, however, called on the government to fast-track the issuance of the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) on the property and to also assist the union on the construction of a befitting Secretariat in the state.

 He assured that journalists will not relent in their crusade against corruption, injustice and other social vices, urging political and religious leaders to play their roles and make necessary sacrifices for peace and unity to reign in the country.

Last modified: July 12, 2013