Kaduna State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), on Sunday received prayers of protection, blessings and success for the 2024 edition of its annual Press Week from the Assistant Priest, Dr.Tunde Yusuf of the Cathedral of ST. Michael, Kaduna Diocese of Anglican Communion.
Shortly after the prayer session, Priest Yusuf charged journalists not to give up in the face of intimidation and harassment while performing their constitutional role in holding government accountable for governance.
“Without journalists the entire society is in a mess, there will be no accountability, there will be no information flow, we will be in total darkness about what is happening around us”. He said.
Priest Yusuf called on God to protect journalists and their jobs, just as he urged them to resilient, saying, “don’t give up in holding government accountable, continue to perform your professional obligations without fear or favour”.
He however, expressed empathy with Kaduna NUJ over the recent kidnapping and subsequent release of two journalists in the State.
“We heard over the news that two of your colleagues were kidnapped. We thanked God for their freedom. May God continue to protect you all. Don’t be intimidated over the incident, continue to do your work with only the fear of God by reporting the truth to the society.
“Be upright in the course of your duty, and report accordingly without any fear or favour, because your uprightness will lead to progress and development of our dear country, Nigeria”. Priest Yusuf said.
The Sunday prayer service for the week offered journalists who were in attendance at the Church the opportunity to pray for the progress, unity and safety of journalists across the country.
Kaduna NUJ Veteran journalists; Elder John Fwah, Chief Olu Ajayi, Asabe Ndoma, Nathaniel Jibrin, Noah Ebije were in attendance.
Others who attended the church service included the Vice chairman of NUJ, Daniel Duniya, Frederick Peter of Kabido Chapel, among reporters and cameramen from NTA and KSTV stations.
The Vice Chairman of NUJ, Daniel Duniya who represented the Chairman, Hajiya Asmau Halilu appreciated members who turned up for the Sunday prayer service, and urged all members to grace the press week event on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.
The Church service came on the heels of Juma’at prayer which was held penultimate Friday at the Ansar-Deen Central Mosque.
The programmes for the press week include a lecture with the theme “ The Role Of The Media In Holding Government Accountable: Prospects And Challenges.
Kaduna State governor Uba Sani will be the Special Guest of Honour, the National President, NUT, Comrade Titus Amba will chair the occasion, while the Speaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas is expected to grace the occasion as the Distinguish Guest of Honor.
