The Nigeria Union of Journalists Anambra State Council held the 2023 Bloggers/Security Summit at the NUJ Secretariat, Awka, the state capital.
The Summit which is themed Understanding State Image and Responsiveness in Security Reporting in Contemporary Nigeria: Anambra As a Case Study had various speakers at the Summit; heads of security agencies in the state, media executives, media practitioners, and top government functionaries among others.
All the speakers acknowledged the critical timing of the discussion on the theme, given the prevailing security challenges both in Anambra State and across Nigeria.
They also urged every Journalist in Anambra State to always portray the State in a positive light in their reportage and to uphold responsible journalism standards by practicing in concordance with the ethics of the profession.
Speakers at the event stressed the urgent need for collaboration among the media, government officials at all levels, and security agencies, with the primary objective of shifting the focus from negative security reports as well as establishing a more secure environment within the state.
The Keynote Speaker at the event and former Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Mr Emeka Eze, expressed confidence that the Summit’s outcome would contribute to resolving these pressing issues.
Mr Eze, represented by Mr Nelson Omenugha, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Youth Empowerment, called upon media organisations to actively shape a positive image of the state.
“Anambra State which is known for her industrious nature, vibrant trade and commerce, academic excellence, and literary prowess should be projected in the limelight that reflects these strengths and contributions, rather than being portrayed in the negative,” he noted.
Another speaker, Dr. Kenneth Osayi of the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, emphasised the profound influence of journalists in molding public perception and public opinion. He urged journalists to report in a manner that uplifts society, avoiding the creation of fear and insecurity within the state.
The Chairman of NUJ Anambra State Chapter, Mr Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, in his welcome address expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests and reiterated the Union’s commitment to collaborating with the state government and relevant stakeholders to enhance the overall quality of life in Anambra.
In the same vein, the Chairman of NUJ Training and Human Development, Comrade Uche Kalu, in her remarks said the essence of the Summit was to have a roundtable discussion on how best to mark and promote the image of the State, as well as strengthen the relationship between the media, the security agencies and the government.
On his own part, the Chairman of the Occasion and Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Aderemi Adeoye, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, Mr. David Ilayonomon, commended the NUJ for such an initiative, while also noting that the impact of such event in building a better secured and more patriotic society can never be overemphasized.
“There is a need for media practitioners to play by the rule and to always confirm the authenticity of every insinuation and consider the impact of every information they dish out to the public,” he reiterated.
The summit also featured discussants from various law enforcement agencies in the State, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigeria Immigration Service, who, in their remarks, doled out valuable insights on effective collaboration to ensure a more secure Anambra.
The Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, of Angel Network News, Mr. Ifeanyi Obiefuna; the Anambra State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Humphrey Nwafor; the State President of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), Comrade Chikwelu Adigwe; the Chairman of Private Security Companies of Nigeria, Anambra State Chapter, Mr. Okon Antai among other dignitaries were present.
Dominica Nwabufo
