Minister of State for Federal Capital territory (FCT), Ramatu Aliyu, has reiterated the administration’s commitment to partner with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Abuja Council on developmental reportage.
Aliyu made the pledge when she visited the NUJ Abuja Council, to inspect its multi-purpose hall.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Aliyu inspecting the project in company of the Special Adviser to the President, Femi Adesina.
The minister said that the administration would continue to support the union to shape democracy and strengthen the constitution.
I want to reiterate the continuous commitment of the FCT administration in developmental journalism in the FCT. The administration is committed to upgrading your facility as the contract for the NUJ multipurpose hall has been awarded.
“We will also galvanise support, mobilising, equipping the residents with required information on areas of security, insurgency, wellbeing and sanitation,” she said.
According to her, journalism has exceeded previous descriptions and set up new landmarks for the future.
“Journalism has gone beyond what it used to be, you are the middle man between good governance and the people, we count on you as an institution and we will stop at nothing to give you the desired corporation,” she said.
Aliyu, therefore, commended the chairman of Abuja Council and his team for timely and accurate reportage at the last area council election held on Feb. 12.
“Without you, there will have been as usual, negative media publicities, but with your help wrong perceptions were corrected and we had reports of things as they occurred. Thank you and God bless you.
“We recorded less violence in the last elections just because the NUJ stood firmly behind us to ensure that rumors were cut to the barest minimum. The NUJ was everywhere to report adequately,” she said.
Speaking, Adesina, who commended the minister, noted that the visit would motivate journalists to see themselves as partners in governance.
The media aide to the president said that protecting public infrastructure saves government scarce resources that could be deployed for other public good other than repeating investments.
Responding, the Chairman, Abuja Council, Comrade Emmanuel Ogbeche, thanked the minister for visiting the council and her commitment to development of the FCT.
“I thanked you for your commitment and diligent, particularly during the COVID-19. You were all over the place, going to the markets, hospitals to ensure that things were okay,” he said.
Ogbeche assured the minister of the council’s support in ensuring adequate reportage of the FCT.
“The NUJ FCT will continue to give you firm coverage, we will continue to speak the fact and stand for the truth,” he said. (NAN)
