FCT Permanent Secretary lauds Journalists’ contributions to national development

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA, in Nigeria Mr. Olusade Adesola has commended journalists in the country for their contributions to the growth and development of the country.

The Permanent Secretary gave the commendation during his visit to the members of the Executive Committee of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCTA/FCDA Chapel.

According to the Permanent Secretary, globally, journalists are veritable tools for nation-building, especially as watchdogs of the society.

“Journalists have played very active roles in the growth and development of Nigeria and many prominent and respected Nigerians were members of NUJ.

“Consequently, journalists the world over are extremely important in any modern society, not only for purpose of information gathering and dissemination but also veritable tools for nation-building as watchdogs of the society.”

Adesola explained further that the Union as an umbrella body of practising Information Officers and Public Relations Officers have a very important role to play in projecting the image of the FCT Administration positively.

The Permanent Secretary who charged Information Officers in the employ of the FCTA to strive to keep abreast of the latest trends in information dissemination technology as well as the mainstream traditional media, commended the Department of Information and Communications for the Weekly Publication of Abuja Digest Newspaper.

Adesola who also praised the Union members for their maturity in the way they have conducted themselves so far in the discharge of their assignment urged the Union to continue to cooperate and partner with the Administration for the growth and development of the Territory.

Harping on the achievements he has recorded so far since his assumption of duty as FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr Adesola disclosed that under his watch, overheads to SDAs are now being paid regularly and also FCT IGR is gradually shoring up.

He further revealed that as part of his giant strides, 2020 staff promotion letters will soon be released to staff and also starting from this year 2021, staff promotion examination will henceforth be conducted annually, among other achievements.

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists(NUJ) FCTA/FCDA Chapel, Comrade Kalu Emetu who led the executive committee of the Union, told the Permanent Secretary that the purpose of the visit was to officially introduce the Union executives to the Permanent Secretary.

Comrade Emetu appealed to the Permanent Secretary to look into the plight of information officers in all the SDAs. He explained that information officers in the various SDAs are constantly marginalized and treated as endangered species.

The Chairman also canvassed for the establishment of the Information and Communications Secretariat. According to him, the take-off of the Secretariat will address many of the challenges confronting Information Officers.

He further appealed to the Permanent Secretary to assist both Public Relations Officers and Information Officers with series of training to enable them improve their capacity for effective and efficient service delivery.

PIAK