Media Practitioners in Nasarawa State have been urged to focus on developmental journalism and publicize government activities
….As Nasarawa Broadcasting Service recognizes 3 Assembly members, others with awards
The Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS) Chapter of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to host a Gala/Award Night, honoring outstanding reporters in the State-owned media organization who demonstrated exceptional reportage and programming skills during the year under review.
In a similar vein, three outstanding members of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Jonah Ali Dizaho (PDP- Karu/Gitta) and Chairman House Committee on Information, Hon. Solomon Yakubu Akwashiki (SDP-Lafia Central) and Hon. Hudu A Hudu (APC-Awe North), received honors from members of the pen profession at the event.
In the same vein, Hon. Silas Ali Agara, the Director General, National Directorate of Employment (NDE) and former Deputy Governor of the State alongside two others Mr Ahmed Abubakar Kana, General Manager, Nasarawa State Water Board and Amb. Isaac Kigbu, former President, Eggon Youth Movement also bag the 2024 journalists award.
The Chairman of the occasion and Chairman, Nasarawa State House of Assembly Committee on Information Hon. Jonah Ali Dizaho, in an address urged Media Practitioners to protect the image of the state by projecting the activities of the state government positively.
Hon. Dizaho made the call during the Gala and Award Night of the year organized by NUJ, Nasarawa Broadcasting Service (NBS) held at NUJ Press Center, Lafia today Sunday.
He also urged the media Houses to be professional in their reportage and embrace developmental journalism in line with global best standard.
” We are here to rejoice with the dedicated members of the union as hard work pays.
” I want to use this medium to advise our media houses to protect the image of the state by projecting the activities of the state positively.
” This is our dear state, I want to appeal to media houses to project government activities positively” he said.
He congratulated the awardees and urged them to use their awards to add value to the development of the state and strive to do more in the new year.
The lawmaker assured of the legislative and government continued support to NUJ to succeed in the state.
The Guest Speaker, Mr Allahnana Attah, former Permanent Secretary in the State who spoke on the topic ” Balancing Media Ownership Interests and Public Responsibility” has urged Journalists to always protect the interest of the public as well as ensure balancing in their reports.
Attah, who took his time to explain how public media mostly protect the interest of the government while some Private Media cannot write against government due to the support they are getting from the government advocates for professionalism in the system so that the society will be better for it.
The former Permanent Secretary, also urged Journalists to ensure that they do the right things at all times.
Earlier, Mr Valentine Joshua, the Chairman, NUJ NBS chapter said that the event was deliberately designed to reward hard work, encourage healthy competition among staff with a view to entrenching productivity.
” As a union, we believe that striving for success without hardworking is like trying to harvest where you never planted. Tonight we will count our harvests because indeed we planted.
” Tonight, we will celebrate reporters and presenters who believes that the dictionary is the only place where success comes before hardworking” he said.
He said that the union would award three individuals in the state, Mr Silas Ali Agara, DG,NDE for training two members of the union in China.
” The other person Mr Kana is for always serving as a reservoirs of media contents to reporters and presenters of NBS.
” The last person Mr Kigbu will be honoured for his Philanthropic gesture devoid of political connotations or primordial sentiments.
Mr Valentine appreciated the management of NBS for their support towards the success of the programme among other personalities and MDAs that helped the union to organize the event.
It would be reported that the event which honoured best TV and Radio reporters, editors, presenters, commentary writer among others had in attendance HRH, Sunday Namo, Aren Koron Kuje, Hon. Esson Mairiga, Mr Fagbemi Sunday, Nasarawa State Coordinator of NDE, representing the Director General of NDE, Mr Silas Ali Agara, Alhaji Ibrahim Addra, the Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Abdullahi Sule, Dr Priscilla Gondualuor, Nasarawa State Director, National Orientation Agency among others was well attended with superlative display by cultural dancers that depicted peace and unity of the people of Nasarawa State devoid of religious and ethnic differences.
