BY UKET OKA, Calabar
The governor of Cross River State, Prince Bassey Otu, has charged journalists in the state to be professional and credible in their reportage.
Otu gave the charge Tuesday during the new year dinner with the governor, themed, “Rebuilding public trust,” organised by the Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJL and media executives, at Joranny Hotel, Calabar, the State capital.
Represented by his Chief of Staff, Hon Emmanuel Ironbar, the Governor Otu assured of his administration’s continuous relationship with the media in view of the significant roles the media play in every society.
“I urge you to always be objective and professional while displaying utmost credibility in your reportage.
“Government is ready to partner with the media even as we charge you to be objective and always cross-check your facts before going to press.
“Every nation that succeeds must be upright in issues of governance and never underestimate the power of the media, because the fourth estate of the realm can make or mar you,” the governor stated.
He further assured that the state would be more better than he met it and stressed the need to synergise with all, in line with his people first mantra.
Commending media practitioners for putting up such an event, the governor enjoined them to always remain steadfast and united as a family while shunning destructive practices.
“This should be a family and when I say a family, there must be unity and togetherness as well as the exhibition of love and peace,” Out advised.
Earlier, the State Chairman of the Cross River State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Nsa Gill, informed that the essence of the event was to build a good working relationship between the government and the media practitioners in the state.
“The governed often have doubts about what government is doing but when government works in harmony with the governed, they will build public trust.
“We intend to sustain the credibility and confidence that the people have with government in a more professional way, not neglecting our roles as watchdogs of the society,” Gill stated.
The state NUJ chairman applauded the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises to the body as well as enhanced security in the state as well as the wonderful outing of the 2023 Calabar Carnival and return of the junior carnival, few months after assumption of office.
Gill also appealed for the provisions of operational vehicles for the state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists, rehabilitation of the only state newspaper outfit which activities of EndSARS left in a sorry state.
He also called on government to facilitate the return of International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) to the state, to help in training and retraining of media practitioners as well as the remodeling of the NUJ Press Centre.
Others who spoke including the Acting General Manager of the state newspaper outfit, Ms Florence Oluohu, commended the governor for his proactiveness especially in the return of the serene nature of the state to its glory days and interventions in projects that hitherto seemed abandoned before the advent of the present administration.
Oluohu also made a case for the governor’s pronouncement on the leadership of the state newspaper outfit to enable it continually carry out its roles of promoting and propagating government policies and programs.
Among those present at the event were the Special Adviser to the Cross River governor on General duties, Barr Ekpenyong Akiba, Commissioner for transport, Pastor Ekpenyong Cobham, former Editor-in-Chief of Chronicle Group of Newspapers and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Sports, Sam Egbala, retired Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Emma Akpong, immediate past chairman of Cross River state council of NUJ and publisher of The Beagle publications, Victor Udu, veterans and other media executives in the state.
Photo Caption: Governor Bassey Edet Otu of Cross River State