Niger state Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has commended the role being played by journalists in Nigeria even as they are exposed to various hazards.
Governor Sani Bello disclosed this in Minna, as Journalists in the country joined their colleagues globally to mark the “2020 World Press Freedom Day”.
The Governor, who underscored the pivotal role of the press in nation building, acknowledged that it is offering the society a great service through constant information dissemination.
He described this year’s theme, ‘Journalism Without Fear or Favour’ as apt stressing that, as ‘Fourth Estate’ of the Realm, the Press must develop thick, uncompromising skin in the overall societal interests.
According to him, the press has been in the forefront in the fight against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), admonishing them to take all precautionary measures as they continue to enlighten the public about the danger posed by the pandemic, urged them not to relent.
Governor Sani Bello also praised the Press for their sustained reportage in conflict regions such as the fight against insurgents, bandits, kidnappers, urging them to trade with caution.
The Governor saluted the resilience of the living and slain Journalists and opined that such journalists who lost their lives in the line of duty should also be treated as heroes in the country.
He further urged the press to always imbibe developmental journalism by giving balanced report and urged them to identify the unqualified, ‘bad eggs’ amongst them and sanitize the profession in order to continue to earn the respect it has been accorded with in the society.
The Governor assured members of the press in the state of the support of his administration through the provision unhampered access to information towards the enhancement of their professional functionality.
