The governor while declaring open the Inaugural National Executive Council meeting of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi said position of the journalists in the society is critical they should endeavour to always report objectively and in accordance with the ethics of their profession.
Bagudu who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Babale Umar Yauri also urged journalists to focus their report on the developmental efforts of the three tiers of government towards solving the various problems facing the nation.
He said'' We are faced with security, economic and political challenges, among others which the journalists should help to resolve.
"Of more serious concern is the challenge to security and national unity. This calls for more concerted efforts by media practitioners and all stakeholders to address these challenges".
He pledged to continue to take journalists as active partners with a view to taking Kebbi State to greater heights.
The state Commissioner for Information and Culture, Haijya Rakiya Tanko Ayuba-Haruna in her remarks said the NUJ NEC meeting had already assumed a dimension of unifying factor.
'' It therefore, remains our commitment to continuously uphold this tradition and cherish it for the fact that it has been championing the cause of our unity in diversity.
'' The Press, popularly known as the ‘fourth estate of the realm’ is saddled with statutory role and responsibility of educating and enlightening people on all matters and issues including Government
policies and programmes", she said.
The commissioner stated that the press is the mirror through which government policies, actions and inactions are viewed, measured, monitored and evaluated.
''For this reason, we need to understand properly the concept of ‘Government /Media relationship.
''We need to review it holistically and put the wagon back on track.
One best ways to achieve this is by jettisoning the mentality of the ‘Cat and Mouse’ race relationship between the duo.
''We must begin to see Government as partners in progress devoid of political coloration or tribes", the commissioner said.
The commissioner, represented by the permanent secretary in the ministry, Malam Hamish Garba said "Newsmen your position in the society is prime, therefore, you must refrain from any act capable of endangering national unity.
'' We need to team up together and report objectively which can be achieved through consultation and good will from among all tiers of Government with us as the fourth tier".
She commended Governor Bgudu for being media friendly and for taking the bold step to digitize the state owned radio and television stations to enhance and improve their operations.
The National President of the union, Mr Chris Isizugo lauded Bagudu for facilitating the Inaugural National Executive Council meeting of the Union.
He urged journalists to be careful not to be tempted into propagating fake news, saying,'' proper and adequate checks must be ensured before stories are written and transmitted for public consumption.
Isiguzo called on the Federal Government to assist states that are affected by bandits activities in the North West with more urgent remedies to ameliorate the hunger that will be experienced this year because of the limited access to farmlands by farmers.
"Food security is of vital if the nation must avert catastrophe. ''We pray to the Almighty that very soon, we shall witness a more peaceful, more prosperous region where farming activities will
flourish, children will have access to education", he said.
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