Nike
Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has urged journalists to be patriotic and ensure the overriding interest of the state and country while carrying out their duties.
Uzodimma gave the charge while receiving journalists at the Imo Government House, in Owerri on Wednesday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the Correspondents’ Chapel and the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Imo State Council had paid the governor a courtesy call.
They were led by the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Imo State Council, Mr Ifeanyi Nwanguma.
“There must be synergy between the government and the press for true and functional democratic governance,” Uzodimma said.
The governor added that the media must also criticise the government while offering its support through fact-based reporting.
The governor, who further advised the press against antagonistic reporting, urged them to show more commitment to objective and patriotic reporting.
“Let the overriding interest in your duties as pressmen be patriotic; criticise objectively but also ensure you report the good works of the government.
“There can be no government without the media so protect and partner with the government to help strengthen democracy in our country,” he said.
Speaking on the pervading economic hardship across the country, the governor urged the press to educate the people on the long term benefits of the policies of the Federal Government.
“As a nation, we must endure temporary hardship in the struggle to recalibrate the country.
“The people might feel the impact for a short while but the long term benefits are enormous.
“Please do your duties by enlightening the people on the benefits of these policies of government,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Imo Correspondents’ chapel, Mr Chinonso Alozie, said the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the chapel and the state government.
Alozie added that the chapel was also desirous of identifying areas of partnership inline with its core mandate of developmental journalism.
The chairman also called for more inclusion of the press to enable better reportage of the activities and programmes of government.
He commended the governor for his developmental projects in the state, especially in the areas of road construction.
Also speaking at the meeting, the state Chairman of NAWOJ, Dr Dorothy Nnaji, also commended the governor for his recognition of the press in the state.
Nnaji also appealed for more support for the group to enable them carry out their development programmes across the state especially in the area of health campaign for rural women.
Highlights of the visit was the governor’s donation of a 14-seater bus each to the Correspondents’ Chapel and NAWOJ.
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