Connect with us

FEATURED

2023: ‘Our Media Need Reorientation’ – Uduaghan, Gbagi, Igali At NUJ Warri Press Week

Published

3 years ago

on





As the drum beats of politics continued to sound loud and louder ahead of the 2023 general election, immediate past governor of Delta State, Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan, former Minister of State for Education, Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi and former Nigerian ambassador, Amb.Goodknows Boladei Igali, on Wednesday, called on the media to reshape the political agenda via verifiable and ethical standard-based news reporting.

The trio made the call while speaking on “2023 General Elections and Security Challenges/Role of the Media” at the 2022 Press Week Lecture/Award Ceremony of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, held at Casa De Pedro Hotel, Effurun, Uvwie Local Area of Delta State

Uduaghan, who advocated that media practitioners should be well remunerated, said that the media has the potential of shaping the political agenda ahead the general election.

Speaking on the topic, “2023 Elections and Role of the Media”, Uduaghan said that journalists must go extra mile to ensure news are verified before they are published.
He said that the media helped in bringing democracy to Nigeria but noted that since the advent of the social media which he said is ‘much more dangerous than traditional media’, the polity has been redirected wrongly.
‘I want to appeal to journalists to be very diligent in their reportage. I appeal that you try and attend functions as often and not depend on collecting stories from your colleagues.
‘We should make our presence felt in most of the places where the events are happening; they should monitor these activities and write a correct report.
“Media should function on fairness and balance. If you are writing facts and balancing them, there won’t be much damage to repair,  Uduaghan said.
In his welcome address, the former Nigerian ambassador to Norway, Sweden and Denmark, Amb. Goodknows Boladei Igali, who was the chairman of the occasion, urged Nigerian to be wary of the kind of person they vote to power come 2023.
He said that the choices and decisions taken by Nigerians in the forthcoming general election would either make or mar the steady evolution of the nation’s democracy.
Igali said that 2022 has a lot of significance since it is the year for all political parties to produce their flagbearer and hold a special importance to the 2023 general election which he said will be ‘a major watershed for the country’.
He, however, called on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the Federal Government to ensure better preparation for 2023 general election, saying, ‘the process of going through an election is like most other journeys in human existence and planning’.
Igali who is the current Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), said, ‘There is need for proper planning, understanding the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead and more importantly, proffering solutions to issues that present themselves in a timely manner.
‘Accordingly, the choices and decisions which we take in various sphere, particularly pertaining to politics and recruitment into governance will make or mar the steady evolution of our democracy and the overall nation building process which we are all critic’, he said.
Delivering a lecture on the topic, “2023 General Elections and Security Challenges”, former Minister of Education (State), Olorogun Kenneth Gbagi, blamed the media largely for the spate of societal decay including state of insecurity.
He said that journalists must redefine the core value of the profession and ensure that the polity is plunged of negativity.
He said, ‘I hold journalists largely responsible for moral decadent, spate of ritual killings, bribery, bad governance and insecurity because journalists have failed in their duty as watchdog of the society.
“Unless we say the truth to ourselves, we will be wasting our time. The bad, the good and the ugly that is allowed to happen in our time is in the hands of the journalists, he said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, chairman of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Victor Okpomor, said that the topic of the press week was carefully selected as part of efforts by the chapel to sensitise the public ahead the 2023 general election.

Advertisement

 

Speaking in the same vein, the state Commissioner of Information, Charles Aniagwu, urged journalists to ensure their reportage unite the state and country rather than heating up the polity.

 

Advertisement

The Commissioner, who was represented by the permanent Secretary, ministry of Information, Mr Paul Osahon, said that the state government was poised in ensuring a conducive atmosphere for journalists in the discharge of their lawful duties.

 

Advertisement
Related Topics:
Advertisement
Click to comment
Naira Notes
BUSINESS9 hours ago

BREAKING: CBN Restricts Capital Distribution for Selected Banks to Ensure Stability Ahead of 2026 Recapitalisation Deadline
COMMUNITY REPORT10 hours ago

Delta Council Boss Says Healthy Environment Priority of His Administration
FEATURED20 hours ago

Delta Gov’s Wife Highlights Govt Support for Woman Who Gave Birth to Quintuplets, Debunks Viral Video of Neglect
FEATURED21 hours ago

Gov Oborevwori’s Aide Narrates Ordeal: How Kwale Youths Turn Protest to Criminal Siege on Ughelli-Asaba Expressway, Attack Vehicles
FEATURED22 hours ago

Delta North: We Planned for 2,000 but got over 5,000 – Ned Nwoko’s CoS Highlights Unprecedented Attendance at Constituency Meeting
COMMUNITY REPORT1 day ago

Ijaw, Itsekiri Clash Worsen as Gbaramatu Kingdom Raises Alarm over Alleged Threats to Sack ‘Ikantu and Ijaghala Communities’
COMMUNITY REPORT2 days ago

Isoko South Chair Inaugurates Basketball Court to Encourage Youths in Sports
FEATURED2 days ago

Tinubu Bows to Pressure, to Visit Benue over Spate of Mass Killings on Wed, Postpones Official Visit to Kaduna
FEATURED2 days ago

Isoko Youth Group Alleges Warri Ward Delineation Plot to Destabilize Delta South Ahead of 2031 Elections
FEATURED2 days ago

75 Senators Back Anioma State Creation -Fmr. HoR Member, Nicholas Ossai Reveals Progress
FEATURED2 days ago

How Operatives of CP-SAT Arrested Suspected Armed Robbers, Gunrunners in Delta
FEATURED3 days ago

EFCC Arraigns Top Executives of Sun Trust Bank over Alleged $12m Fraud
FEATURED3 days ago

President Tinubu Gives Gombe Govt N60bn for its Agro-livestock Industrial Zone Project
Anioma State
FEATURED3 days ago

Sen. Nwoko Announces Scholarships for 90 Students Across Delta North
FEATURED3 days ago

Delta North APC Sets Up ‘Leadership Council’, Passes Vote of Confidence on Tinubu, Oborevwori, Nwoko
Advertisement
Advertisement