Journalists task on focusing on investigative, developmental journalism for nation building
By: Henry Iyorkase, Makurdi.
Members of the fourth estate of realm have been challenged to embarked on investigative journalism with desire to enhance quality reportage for accelerated development in the country.
This appeal was made on Monday when Director General Benue Peace and Reconciliation Commission Mrs.Josephine Habba visited Chairman of Nigerian Union of Journalists Benue State Council led by Mr Vincent Nyiyongo to collaborate with his council to assist with a view to achieve the herculean tasks for optimal result
She asserted that journalism can mar or make any nation, depending on how it is practised since “journalists can change anything”.
Habba recalled that she was once honoured as “a Friend of the Media” by the NUJ in Benue State hence she deemed it important to solicit their synergy to succeed in her new position and to reposition journalism in the state.
While she stressed the importance of the media, Habba recalled how her nongovernmental organization, Jireh Doo foundation, enjoyed media support twenty (20) years ago which facilitated the foundation to grow to a level that it has impacted many lives especially orphans.
The DG who also tasked journalists on professionalism and follow-up reporting appreciated Mr Godwin Mark Iorpuu of Radio Benue, Makurdi, and Mrs Rose Ejembi, a former Benue state correspondent of The Sun Newspaper who is now in United Kingdom (UK) for doing follow-up reports that enabled her to get assistance to train two twin orphans who she picked at infant stage and are now 17 years old and in secondary school.
“One journalist that took interest in that story and followed me until she left this country is Rose Ejembi. She is in the UK today but periodically, she calls me and say, Mummy how are my children doing?
“These are records that get funding for journalists. This is just one example. There are many others”, Habba said.
She urged the state leadership of NUJ to regulate the system to prevent it from total collapse.
The Director General therefore caution against plagiarism urging journalists to always confirm sources such information, pointing out there should measures to curtailed unprofessional attitudes calling for measures towards to checkmates whatever goes on air is authentic.
She stressed the need for training and retraining to brozom knowledge and update new technics on the field in order to be abreast with latest realities of the Times.
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Responding on behalf of the state council, the state chairman, Comrade Vincent Nyinongu, commended governor Hyacinth Alia for finding Josephine Habba worthy to head the commission and requested enabling environment in terms of funding to be created for journalists to be able to do investigative reporting successfully.
According to Nuj boss we shall do everything humanly possible cue synergy amongst others to ensure your partnership with us, stressing the purpose is realisable and also informed the public public on these noble cause of Reconciliation..
