Media
Journalists are selfless givers who get no rewards for their job -NAWOJ president
The president of National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) Ladi Bala has described Journalists as selfless givers specially chosen by God like pastors and preachers to change mindset of people and mobilise them for good causes.
Bala gave the indication at a stakeholders meeting of the Journalists For Disability Inclusion (J4DI), a voice meant to promote inclusion across the board.
According to her, Journalism is a calling because aside from the priests, and preachers, the next people that I believe that God has saddled with the responsibility of changing the mindsets of people and mobilising them for noble causes are journalists.
“Journalists are the channels because we are neither here nor there, we are in the middle. What we do is to galvanize the whole society for a common cause,” Comrade Bala stated.
She said the society would be waiting to see as the group changes the narrative on national inclusion.
“We are in the middle. And what we do is to galvanize the whole society for a common cause. The politician talks about themselves only what they can do most of the time they talk about what they can do, but inherent, you know in them is what they can get from the society.”
She said journalists are always there to give to the society adding that no one can even pay for the job they do.
“But what do we get journalists? Most of the time we deal with that. And we’re never tired of giving. We’re never tired of chatting the course for the good of all, except we are comfortable with that. And I think of blessing every one of us because of what we do.
“And that is why I say congratulation that you’re a journalist. Never you look down on yourself with what you do. What you do is far beyond what anyone can reward you.
“It is a divine calling and I assure you, when you live for others, that is where you will be.
She said, “When we talk about inclusion when you talk about disability and then a particular demography of the society is being pushed away, it is not being recognized, their rights are not being recognized that dignity, you know, is not even being affirmed. It is a sad narrative.
“That is not a developed society, that is not a society that we all should be proud of. And my joy always has been that I’m a journalist. And I keep saying it that it us a calling for me.
The National Coordinator, Journalists for Disability Inclusion (J4DI), Comrade, Emmanuel Ogbeche appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to create special registration centres for persons with disability (PWD) for inclusivity.
Comrade Ogbeche who made the appeal at a stakeholders meeting of the Journalists For Development Initiative (J4DI) said what is obtainable at various voter registration centers could be a discouraging factors for excercising their Civic responsibility.
The national cordinator, who is also the Nigeria Union of Journalist (NUJ) FCT Chairman quoted the report, to have indicated that 67,000 Persons With Disability (PWD) have registered with the Commission, stressing that the figures could be higher if conducive environment is made available to persons living with disability.
“When you are talking about 2023, you want inclusion and we talk about 67,000 Plus just registered recently after the last count, if you look at the IMEC data, there is the possibility that among persons with disability that have not been able to register.
They cannot join in the pushing, so creating a point at a distance for them. so we are making an appeal to INEC, to consider setting up special exclusive offices for the community of people”
Founder of Albino Foundation, Mr Jake Epelle, who midwife the process of the J4DI said he was glad that the entity has taken the shape to invest in media works on the advocacy to sensitize and empower the Nigerian population with laws and policies that would guarantee the rights of persons with disabilities and better their activities within the Nigerian political and geographical space.
He emphasized the need for capacity building among members of J4DI to be able to report the issues of inclusion which would be their major preoccupation going forward.
Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi State has sent a message of condolence to the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state over the passing of one of its senior members, Mr. Mathias Omale, who died on Monday in Lokoja.
In a press statement by the Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah, Ododo described the veteran journalist’s death as a great loss to the journalism profession in the state.
The Governor sympathised with the family and friends of the deceased, commending the dedication and hard work Mr. Omale demonstrated during his active years in journalism.
According to the statement late Omale made a significant impact as a staff member of the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, where he inspired many young journalists in the state until his retirement as Deputy Director in the News Department.
The Governor prayed for the peaceful repose of the deceased’s soul and asked God to grant his family the strength to bear the loss.
Former National Vice President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Tims Ejiga, has called on government at all levels to accord the media its due recognition as the Fourth Estate of the Realm.
Ejiga made the call during a courtesy visit to the newly appointed Director-General of Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation (FM 94.1), Hajia Nana Hauwa Yussuff, alongside former national and state officers of the union.
He urged governments to prioritize public-funded media organizations, providing adequate equipment, logistics, and staff welfare to enable them perform optimally.
Ejiga emphasized that as the Fourth Estate of the Realm, after the Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary, the media deserves attention and support.
He commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for his efforts in repositioning the Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation and urged continued support for the media industry.
“If the media is the Fourth Estate of the Realm in a Democracy after the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary, then attention must be paid adequately to public funded government-owned media organisations.”
He observed that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s body language, from the onset, had been that of a restoration governor as within seven months of his administration, he had right some of the wrongs perpetrated by past administrations.
Ejiga further implored Governor Ododo to transform the state broadcasting organization with his “Midas’ Touch” saying, “I believe the state Media industry as a whole deserves restoration.”
He also called for restoration of the Executive Cadre in the Directorate, along with the financial benefits as well as Life Assurance for journalists and media workers in the state saying the job of a journalist is a delicate one.
Speaking earlier, a former chairman of Kogi State Council of the NUJ, Mr Emmanuel Boro urged the new Director General to carry all cadre of staff along and give them sense of belonging to motivate them for higher productivity.
Boro pledged the continued support of the group saying, “we will support you fully to ensure that you succeed. We shall be behind you, before you and by your side.”
Alhaji Adeiza Momoh-Jimoh, General Manager of FRCN, Prime FM 101.5 and immediate past Chairman of Kogi Council called on the state government to provide the new DG with the necessary working tools to enable her excel.
“Like somebody who has been given farmland to farm, she surely needs a hoe and cutlass to work on the farm with good seeds to plant”, he said.
In her response, Hajia Nana Hauwa Yussuff, the newly appointed DG of the Corporation, expressed gratitude to God Almighty and Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for the appointment.
She said that God probably gave her the position to change the narrative and the story of Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation as she confessed that news crew of the station used to go to Mount Patti on motor bikes.
The DG however noted that governor Ododo changed the narrative upon assumption office as governor as he quickly approved the release of a Hilux van and a Sienna bus for the station to operate with.
She thanked the veteran journalists for the visit saying that she would not fail them or the government as she pledged to run an open-door policy with an inclusive administration where everyone matters and is given a sense of belonging. (Ends)1
The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, has tendered his resignation, effective immediately.
In a statement released by the Presidency on Saturday, Ngelale announced that he had submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, informing him of his decision to take an indefinite leave of absence.
Ngelale also resigned from his additional roles as Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action and Chairman of the Presidential Steering Committee on Project Evergreen.
He cited medical challenges affecting his immediate and nuclear family as the reason for his resignation.
The statement read, “I have submitted a memo to the Chief of Staff informing my office that I am proceeding on an indefinite leave of absence to address medical matters affecting my immediate nuclear family.”
Ngelale expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve, acknowledging that the demands of public office require uninterrupted attention.
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