Nasarawa State: Philanthropist tasks journalists on professional conduct

A renowned philanthropist and All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasarawa North Senatorial Candidate in North-Central Nigeria, Danladi Envulu-Anza has charged journalists on professional conduct during their reportage for the development of the society.

Envulu-Anza gave the charge during lecture series organized by the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Nasarawa State Council, as part of its activities preceding the elections of new officials of the Chapel.

He also donated the sum of one million naira to the correspondent chapel, saying the gesture was in line with his agenda to strengthen professionalism and appreciate the sacrifice the men of the pen profession have been doing in public enlightenment, setting the agenda for accountability and good governance.

The APC Nasarawa North Senatorial standard flag bearer, who was a guest speaker at the event dwelled extensively on the pivotal roles the mass media are expected to play to make the 2023 general elections successful and historic, submitting that the media must look into its agenda-setting function to create a room for free, fair and non-violent election.

He commended media practitioners for propagating the ideals of democracy, urging them to guard journalistic ethics judiciously as the public expectations are high for them to stabilize the polity and avoid acts that are inimical to the sanctity of democracy.

The guest speaker pointed out the necessity of canvassing support for credible leaders whose campaigns ideals are anchored on social responsibility and harmony of the citizenry, stressing that the media has a lot to do in addressing the myriad of seemingly intractable challenges that have punched a setback to the people.

“The media must not allow itself to be used by selfish politicians to project journalism of next of kin at the total cost and detriment of the voters, citizens, and the country” he advised.

The philanthropist who was represented by his Director Media called on politicians to embark purely on issue-based campaigns and avoid playing divisive and unwarranted tribal and religious campaigns to draw unmerited sympathy, re-affirming his commitment to bringing succor to the people of his senatorial district in the senate as he charged citizens on social media bullying during elections, maintaining that stiffer and adequate measures should be put in place to avert electoral violence, character assassination among others.

“Social media has caused a lot of problems in electioneering, especially in the announcement of conflicting results, fighting opponents, dissemination of unsubstantiated information. The media should contain this too even as the government must frontally curb it”

Also speaking, a veteran journalist, Rabi’u Abdullahi charged journalists to synergize with the state government for the overall development of the state through projecting and promoting the success stories of Governor Abdullahi Sule who like his predecessors raised the status of the state to an enviable height.

The Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, Isaac Ukpoju appreciated the guests and the media practitioners for availing themselves of the program.

Chairman of the Credentials Committee, Shuaibu Abdullahi commended the guest speaker and APC senatorial candidate, Nasarawa North, Danladi Halilu Envulu-Anza for his benevolence and solidarity with the press, applauding the speaker of the State Assembly for his financial and logistics supports.