By Yarima Haruna, Birnin Kebbi
The Kebbi State Government has commended Nigerian Media especially Nigeria Union of Journalists ( NUJ) for their vital role in moulding, nurturing the nation democracy and its survival.
Chief of Staff to Kebbi State Governor, Barrister Attahiru Maccido and Kebbi state Commissioner for Information and Cultures, Alhaji Ahmed Yakubu stated this during the maiden lecture organized by the Correspondent’s Chapel of NUJ, Kebbi State Council, titled “Media, Democracy and Good Governance”, in collaboration with the office of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment and Orientation,Ibrahim Abubakar Jombali.
Maccido who is the Chairman of the occasion, in his remark, described the media as the fourth estate of the Realm, stressed that, they have been forcing governments to discharge their duties according to the country constitution.
According to him,”the media has a role of protecting democracy. It is your determination of this protection that making democracy to strife. There is no arm of government that is playing such a vital role like the media”.
He lauded the Nigerian Media for disseminating accurate information across the country saying, ” it is believed in many quarters that the media could creates war and stop the war”.
The Chief Host of the occasion, the state Commissioner for information and Culture, Alhaji Ahmed Yakubu Birnin Kebbi, who commended the leadership of the Chapel for organizing the lecture,assured them that the state Government would continue to work cordially with the journalists in the state.
He explained that the State Government under the leadership of Dr. Nasir Idris, continue to discharge his campaign promises to the citizens of the State.
“We are all living witness to what the Governor has done in the last two years. The media, especially Correspondent’s Chapel have been part and percel of the struggle for restoration of democracy in Nigeria.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Enlightenment and Orientation, Ibrahim Abubakar Jombali, who sponsored the Lecture, described the Correspondents’ Chapel members as the strong pillars of any successful government.
He assured the leadership of the Chapel the maximum support of the Kebbi Government to enable them to excel in discharging their constitution duties.
In his remark, Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Alhaji Abdullahi Idris Zuru noted that the Media organisations and Journalists should be fair to the current administration stressed that Governor Nasir Idris is determined to ensure there are peace in the state and put an end to insecurity.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Correspondent Chapels, Kabir Wurma, explained that the choice of the topic was deliberate to articulate the successes of the present administration in the State.
“There is no doubt that His Excellency,Dr. Nasir Idris has written his name in gold as far as history of Kebbi is concern. We are happy to operate in a state where the only Teacher-Governor is in the corridor of power. We have the conviction that Kaura has demonstrated a sense of good leadership in the last two years.
In his lecture, the Guest Speaker, Dr. Abdullahi Sani, from the Department of European Languages and Literary Studies, Federal University of Birnin Kebbi (FUBK), who spoke on Media, Democracy and Good Governance,stated that the media including traditional outlets are indispensable to democratic consolidation and the promotion of good governance in Nigeria.
“Through agenda setting, watchdog reporting, civic education and facilitating national dialogue, media institutions shape political outcomes and increase institutional accountability.
“Social media has broaden participation and accelerated information flows,yet,it has also introduced risks that require policy attention.
Strengthening legal protection for press freedom, enhancing professional capacity and promoting digital literacy are necessary steps for ensuring that media continue to support democracy and good governance in Nigeria “.
