By Charles Abere.
Journalists have been charged to sensitise and educate Nigerians on the importance of voting during the 2023 Presidential election.
A former Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports, Ekiti State, Honourable Lanre Ogunsuyi gave the charge during a lecture organised by the NUJ Federal Information Chapel, Ekiti State Council to mark the end of the outgoing Executive tenure of the Chapel.
The Former Commissioner urged Journalists not to work at the detriment of themselves saying one should strive to tell the story rather becoming the news. Hon. Ogunsuyi made reference to the likes of Dele Giwa and others who had lost their lives while discharging their duties.
He also emphasized the need for Journalists to embrace credibility in their news reportage to make their media houses formidable.
The NUJ Chairman, Lion Rotimi Ojomoyela commended the organiser of the programme calling on Journalists in the State to always endeavour to participate in NUJ activities.
He explained that the Council has been proactive in fighting for the rights of its members, hence, the need for members to always participate in Congress and other engagements of the union. He spoke extensively on challenges facing Journalists to include unpaid salary, being used as casual staff among others.
On the coming 2023 election, he charged Journalists to display professionalism in their news reportage and at the same time be sensitive to their environment adding that only the living can write reports.
The outgoing Chairman, Comrade Yemisi Omotola expressed joy for witnessing the day as she thanked the executive members and members of her Chapel for their cooperation.
She explained that the topic, “Journalism and 2023 Election:The Challenges of Unbiased Reportage” was chosen to enlighten Journalists on tips to embrace before the Presidential election.
Omotola also appreciated the leadership of the NUJ State Council and the Union members present for making the programme a memorable and impactful event.
At the occasion, the Head of the Federal Information Resource Centre, Comrade Asonibare Albert contributed to the thematic lecture as he described the topic with rhetorics as apt to the very pressing challenges of Journalists in the present time.
He advised Pen Pushers present to be discretional in their conduct when discharging their duties as no job worth the life of any member.
