Nicholas Dekera, Kaduna

The Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani has said that he would collaborate with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council to make the State great economically, socially and politically under his administration.Sani noted that the role of journalists in holding the government accountable cannot be ignored, admitting that his administration placed high premium on accountability and transparency in governance.

The governor spoke on Tuesday as special guest of honour on the occasion of 2024 Press Week organised by Kaduna State Council of NUJ. The theme of the press week was; “The Role of Media in Holding Government Accountable for Good Governance: Emerging Challenges and Prospects.”I am aware that Kaduna NUJ is alive to its social responsibility. The Kaduna State government will continue to work with Kaduna NUJ because it is important for us to collaborate, work together; we should partner to make our State better and great.”We are worried about ungoverned spaces occupied by bandits, so journalists have the role to play in educating the people about ungoverned spaces and until we cover the spaces we may not find a solution to insecurity.”Journalists have played a key role in the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria. Media must dig deep into what is hidden from the benefit of the society”. Governor said.The NUJ Chairman, Kaduna State Council, Asma’u Yawo Halilu said the essence of the press week was to create and raise awareness associated with the challenges being experienced by journalists in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.”In the midst of these high expectations, Journalists are daily confronted with challenges of quacks, infiltrators and proliferation of fake news, time pressure, professional competence, poor remuneration and at times, lack of it, harassments, intimidations and suppression, amongst others.”In the face of all of these challenges, the average and ever committed journalist still struggles to ensure that elected leaders at all levels of governance and other public office holders, uphold their call to duty by ensuring that they live up to the expectations of the public in keeping with democratic ethos and nation building.”In most cases, this exposes our members to danger of all kinds. Yet, they don’t get discouraged but act more in the overall interest and good of the society.”It is worthy of note that section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), guarantees freedom of expression, especially that of the media, but in spite of this provision, journalists still face challenges of adequate and unfettered access to information and I must quickly add, that those of us practicing in Kaduna state are not excluded even as we still struggle to uphold and observe the ethics of the profession.

“It is worthy of note that section 39 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), guarantees freedom of expression, especially that of the media, but in spite of this provision, journalists still face challenges of adequate and unfettered access to information and I must quickly add, that those of us practicing in Kaduna state are not excluded even as we still struggle to uphold and observe the ethics of the profession.”It is in this wise that the NUJ Kaduna Council humbly appeals to the State Government to go beyond the artificial boundary and bureaucracy to create a more enabling free and accommodating environment for journalism to thrive, as well as ensure the safety and protection of our members in their quest to serve the public better.”At this juncture, the NUJ, Kaduna Council, wishes to pause here for a while in order to give honour to which honour is due. We sincerely and boldly commend and applaud the good work being executed by our people’s oriented Governor, the one and only Distinguished Senator Uba Sani, who has shown and redefined what leadership ought to be by taking into cognisance the interest and value of the people at all times.”His administration in Kaduna state, based on observation by journalists in the state so far, is geared towards providing good governance to the people of the state without blowing his own trumpet. We, members of the NUJ greatly and sincerely commend your commitment, diligence, doggedness and sincerity of purpose in piloting the affairs of the State.”Having said this much, permit me to also say with every sense of responsibility, that as practitioners saddled with the responsibility of holding government accountable, we call on the present administration to as a matter of urgent national importance, quickly address the spate of kidnappings, hunger and poor living conditions bedeviling the nation.”On the current state of our beloved nation, I will crave your indulgence to say that this is not the time for blame games, but a time for urgent and pragmatic actions by all state actors.”To my respected and ever valued colleagues in Kaduna known to be pace setters in every positive, I once again congratulate us all on this successful outing and to also encourage us to continue to uphold the ethics of our noble profession at all times”. NUJ chairman said.Delivering a paper on the theme of the event, Professor Ayodele Joseph, Dean, faculty of Communication and Media Studies, Kaduna State University noted that, “Good governance essentially deals with the general good and well-being of a country. It is a deliberate and conscious effort to better the lot of citizens”.He however, added that, “the prospects of the media holding the government accountable are promising, though there are challenges and threats.