Nigerian governments have been urged to provide conducive atmosphere for journalists to ply their trade as well as to provide them with working tools to enable them to contribute meaningfully to the task of nation building.
A one-time Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, Israel Umoh, who stated this while unveiling a new flat screen television acquired by the correspondents chapel, expressed sadness that most journalists in the state were not enjoying much support from the state as being done in other states of the federation.
Umoh who is also the publisher of Straightnews said the state government ought to empower journalists, and by so doing, they would be well equipped to carry out the task of highlighting the programmes and activities of government in providing social amenities to the people.
While commending members of the correspondents’ chapel for their effort towards giving their office a befitting status, he urged them to use their professionalism to bear in the area of development journalism saying the correspondents needed to be more assertive to claim their revered position in the state.
“Other state governments are empowering journalists, so I don’t see any reason why our own government cannot provide a conducive working environment for us. In fact that is my wake-up call.
“I highly commend the correspondents for the sacrifices they made to be able to purchase this flat screen television. And I strongly believe that it will help you to function better in the profession.
“And I want to call on correspondents to rise and reclaim their revered position in the scheme of things in the state. If you don’t rise up, there are other and chapels and groups jostling to take over your position,” he stressed.
Earlier, Aniefiok Udonquak, chairman of the chapel, had said the acquisition of the television was to enable members keep abreast with the FIFA World Cup which kicks in Russian by weekend.
He expressed regret that members had to tax themselves when promises made by prominent government officials to provide the chapel with the television failed
He said after waiting patiently without any hope, the members decided to task themselves to purchase the television, adding that “As the World cup begins this weekend we decided to tax ourselves in order to enjoy viewing the football matches.
“We agreed that we will no longer operate in the era of analogue. We made appeals to many prominent persons in government to redeem their pledges but there was no positive response from them.”
In her remarks, Idongesit Ashameri , the vice chairman of the chapel thanked the former NUJ Chairman for identifying with the chapel, and promised that members would work assiduously to move the chapel to the height it deserves.
